Can You Notarize a Document Online? (Remote Notarization Guide)
Yes, you can notarize a document online. Remote online notarization, known as RON, allows you to get documents notarized over a live video call from your computer or phone. As of 2026, over 45 states have enacted permanent RON legislation, making online notarization available to the vast majority of Americans. Here is everything you need to know about the process.
How Online Notarization Works
Remote online notarization follows a structured process that takes about 10 to 20 minutes from start to finish.
Step 1: Upload your document. You create an account on a RON platform and upload the document that needs notarization. The platform converts it to an electronic format if needed.
Step 2: Verify your identity. This is more rigorous than in-person notarization. You will go through knowledge-based authentication (KBA), where you answer personal questions drawn from public records that only you should know. You will also present your government-issued ID to the camera for credential analysis.
Step 3: Join the video session. Once your identity is verified, you connect with a live notary via two-way audio-video call. The notary confirms your identity on camera, asks if you are signing voluntarily, and ensures you understand the document.
Step 4: Sign electronically. You apply your electronic signature to the document using the platform’s tools. The notary watches the signing in real time.
Step 5: Notary applies seal. The notary applies their digital seal and electronic signature to the document. The entire session is recorded and stored.
Step 6: Download the completed document. The notarized document is available for download immediately after the session. It is sealed with tamper-evident technology that detects any post-notarization alterations.
Which States Allow Online Notarization?
Adoption has accelerated rapidly. Over 45 states now have permanent RON laws on the books. States with well-established RON frameworks include Virginia (the first state to pass a RON law in 2012), Texas, Florida, Nevada, Ohio, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
California signed RON legislation in 2024 with a full effective date of January 1, 2030, though limited remote notarization has been available under temporary pandemic-era provisions. New York has been slower to adopt permanent RON, extending temporary authorizations multiple times.
A small number of states still have limited or no RON authorization. However, in many cases you can use a RON service based in another state, as long as the notary’s state permits serving out-of-state signers. Check with the document recipient to confirm they accept RON-notarized documents.
What Documents Can Be Notarized Online?
Most documents that can be notarized in person can also be notarized online. Common documents handled through RON include powers of attorney (financial and healthcare), affidavits and sworn statements, real estate documents including deeds and loan packages, business contracts and agreements, trust documents, vehicle title transfers, immigration-related documents, and consent forms.
Documents That May NOT Be Accepted via RON
Some institutions and government agencies still require in-person notarization for specific documents. These can include certain court filings, some original vital records (birth certificates, marriage certificates), specific immigration forms, and documents where the receiving party explicitly requires wet-ink signatures. Always confirm with the document recipient that they accept electronically notarized documents before starting a RON session.
How Much Does Online Notarization Cost?
RON sessions typically cost between $25 and $50 per session. This covers the notary’s time, the technology platform, identity verification, video recording, and secure document storage.
Some platforms charge per signature rather than per session. If you have multiple documents or multiple signatures, the total can increase. Always confirm the complete cost before beginning.
While $25 to $50 is more than the $2 to $15 you would pay for an in-person notarization at a bank or UPS Store, it is often less expensive than hiring a mobile notary when you factor in travel fees of $50 to $100 or more. RON also eliminates travel time, making it the fastest option for many people.
Popular RON Platforms
Several technology platforms provide remote online notarization services. Each platform connects you with a commissioned notary and handles identity verification, document management, and recording.
Notarize is one of the largest consumer-facing RON platforms. It offers 24/7 availability and connects you with a notary within minutes. Pricing starts around $25 per session.
DocVerify provides RON services with a focus on compliance and security. It is widely used by businesses and government agencies.
Pavaso specializes in digital real estate closings and integrates RON into the mortgage process.
Nexsys and SIGNiX offer RON capabilities primarily for business and enterprise use.
Most RON sessions can be completed on any device with a camera, microphone, and internet connection. No special software downloads are required — the platforms work through your web browser.
Online Notarization vs In-Person Notarization
Advantages of Online Notarization
Convenience. Complete the process from home, the office, or anywhere with internet access. No driving to a notary’s office or waiting in line.
Speed. Many platforms connect you with a notary within minutes. The entire process takes 10 to 20 minutes.
Availability. Some platforms operate 24/7, meaning you can get a document notarized at midnight on a Sunday. No need to wait for business hours.
Stronger identity verification. RON uses multi-factor identity verification (KBA plus credential analysis plus video) that is arguably more rigorous than a single ID check in person.
Permanent record. The recorded video session creates an auditable trail that does not exist with in-person notarization.
When In-Person Is Better
The recipient requires it. Some courts, agencies, and institutions still require in-person or wet-ink notarization.
Complex signing events. Real estate closings with 100-plus pages benefit from a loan signing agent who can walk you through each document in person.
Technology barriers. If you are uncomfortable with video calls or lack reliable internet access, in-person notarization is simpler.
Free options available. If your bank offers free notary services and you can visit during business hours, paying $25 to $50 for RON does not make financial sense.
Is Online Notarization Legally Valid?
Yes. Documents notarized via RON carry the same legal weight as those notarized in person. They are accepted by courts, government agencies, recording offices, and financial institutions in states that have enacted RON legislation.
The tamper-evident technology used in RON actually provides stronger document integrity protection than traditional paper notarization. Any attempt to alter the document after notarization is immediately detectable.
The SECURE Notarization Act, federal legislation that would establish nationwide standards for RON and ensure cross-state acceptance, continues to advance through Congress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I notarize a document online from any state?
In most cases, yes. RON is governed by the notary’s state, not the signer’s state. If the notary is commissioned in a state that allows RON and permits out-of-state signers, you can use their services from anywhere. Confirm with the document recipient that they accept RON.
Do I need to download special software?
No. Most RON platforms work through your web browser on any computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and microphone. Just make sure you have a stable internet connection.
How long does an online notarization take?
Most RON sessions take 10 to 20 minutes, including identity verification, the video call, and signing. Simple single-document notarizations can be completed in under 10 minutes.
Related guides: See our complete RON laws by state (2026) to check if online notarization is legal in your state. Also explore notary fees by state and how to get a document notarized.
Ready to notarize a document online? Browse our remote online notarization directory to find RON-capable notaries, or search FindNotary.io by your state to explore all notarization options near you.