Remote Online Notarization (RON): What You Need to Know
Remote online notarization, commonly known as RON, allows you to get documents notarized over a video call from anywhere with an internet connection. What was once a niche service has become mainstream, and most states now have laws permitting it. Here is everything you need to know about how RON works and when to use it.
What Is Remote Online Notarization?
Remote online notarization is a process where a notary public verifies a signer’s identity and witnesses the signing of documents through a live, two-way audio-video connection. The document is signed electronically, and the notary applies a digital seal and electronic signature. The entire session is recorded and stored as a permanent record.
RON is different from remote ink-signed notarization (RIN), where a notary witnesses a physical signature over video but the signer uses a pen on paper. RON is fully digital from start to finish.
How the RON Process Works
The typical RON session follows a structured process. First, you upload your document to the RON platform. The platform then verifies your identity through a multi-step process that includes knowledge-based authentication (KBA), where you answer questions about your personal history that only you would know, and credential analysis, where you present a government-issued ID to the camera for verification.
Once your identity is confirmed, you join a live video session with the notary. The notary confirms your identity on camera, asks if you are signing willingly, and watches as you apply your electronic signature to the document. The notary then applies their digital seal and electronic signature. The entire session is recorded, and the completed document is available for download.
Most RON sessions take between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on the number of documents and signatures required. The technology handles much of the administrative work automatically, making the process efficient for both the signer and the notary.
Which States Allow RON?
The adoption of RON has accelerated dramatically. As of early 2026, over 45 states have enacted permanent RON legislation. Virginia was the first state to pass a RON law in 2012, and adoption grew steadily before the pandemic accelerated the trend.
States with well-established RON frameworks include Virginia, Texas, Florida, Nevada, Ohio, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and Wisconsin, among many others.
California, notably one of the last major holdouts, signed RON legislation in 2024 with an effective date of January 1, 2030, though temporary pandemic-era provisions have allowed limited remote notarization. New York has also been slower to adopt permanent RON, though temporary authorizations have been extended multiple times.
A few states still have limited or no RON authorization. If your state does not yet allow RON, you can still use RON services commissioned in other states in many cases, as long as the notary’s state permits out-of-state signers.
Technology Requirements
For the signer, the technology requirements are minimal. You need a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, and a valid government-issued photo ID. Most RON platforms work through a web browser and do not require downloading special software.
The notary, on the other hand, must use an approved RON technology platform. These platforms handle identity verification, document management, recording, and tamper-evident seal application. Major RON platforms include Notarize, DocVerify, Pavaso, Nexsys, and SIGNiX. Each state maintains a list of approved platforms, and notaries must register with their state before offering RON services.
Cost of Remote Online Notarization
RON sessions typically cost more than traditional in-person notarizations. Expect to pay between $25 and $50 per session through most platforms. This fee covers the notary’s time, the technology platform, identity verification, and secure document storage.
While this is more expensive than the $5 to $15 you might pay for an in-person notarization, it is often less expensive than hiring a mobile notary when you factor in travel fees. RON also saves you time since you do not need to travel anywhere or coordinate schedules as tightly.
Some platforms charge per signature rather than per session, so the cost can increase with more complex document packages. Always confirm the total cost before beginning the session.
When to Use RON vs In-Person Notarization
RON is ideal when you are traveling or not near a notary, when you have limited mobility, when you need a notarization outside of business hours (many RON platforms offer 24/7 availability), when you are in a different state from the other signers, or when you want the convenience of completing everything from home.
In-person notarization may be preferred when you have a simple, single-document notarization and are near a free notary at your bank, when you are uncomfortable with technology or video calls, when the document specifically requires in-person notarization (some courts and agencies still require this), or when you are handling a large real estate closing and prefer a loan signing agent to walk you through the documents in person.
Security and Legal Validity
RON sessions are in many ways more secure than traditional notarizations. The multi-factor identity verification (credential analysis plus KBA) is more rigorous than the single ID check performed in person. Every session is recorded on video, creating an auditable trail. Documents are sealed with tamper-evident technology that detects any alterations after notarization.
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. The SECURE Notarization Act, federal legislation introduced to establish nationwide standards for RON, continues to advance through Congress and would create uniform acceptance across all states.
The Future of Notarization
RON represents a fundamental shift in how notarization works. As more states adopt permanent legislation, as technology platforms improve, and as consumers become more comfortable with digital processes, RON will likely become the default method for most routine notarizations. In-person notarization will remain important for complex transactions and situations where personal interaction adds value, but the convenience and security of RON make it an increasingly attractive option.
You can find notaries who offer remote online notarization services on FindNotary.io. Search by state to find RON-capable notaries in your area.
Related guides: See our complete RON laws by state (2026) for state-by-state legality, platform requirements, and document restrictions. Also explore notary fees by state and how to become a notary.
Want to get a document notarized online? Browse our remote online notarization directory to find RON-capable notaries who can handle your notarization over a video call from anywhere.