Remote Online Notarization by State: Rules, Requirements and How to Start

Remote online notarization (RON) lets a notary notarize for a signer who appears by live audio-video instead of in person. It has grown from a handful of states before 2020 to most of the country today. But RON rules are written state by state, and they govern the notary, not the signer. Here's how RON works, where it's authorized, and what it takes to become an online notary.

What counts as RON

RON generally means:

• The signer appears through live two-way audio-video communication.
• The notary uses a state-compliant platform.
• The signer's identity is verified using methods the state requires, often knowledge-based authentication questions plus credential analysis of a government ID.
• The document is signed electronically and the notary applies an electronic seal and digital certificate.
• The session is recorded and kept for a period set by state law.
• The notary keeps an electronic journal.

Related methods include in-person electronic notarization (IPEN), where the signer is physically present but signs electronically, and remote ink-signed notarization (RIN), allowed in a few states, where the signer signs paper on camera.

Where RON is authorized (as of 2026, verify)

Counts differ depending on whether a source counts laws passed or laws in effect, but industry tallies in 2025–2026 placed the number of states with effective RON laws in the low to mid 40s, plus Washington, D.C. A small group of states had no in-state RON authority, commonly listed as including Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina. Some states with RON laws restrict particular uses; Connecticut's, for instance, has been reported to exclude certain real estate closings.

California enacted the Online Notarization Act (SB 696) in 2023. Its RON provisions become operative when the Secretary of State certifies completion of the required technology project, or by January 1, 2030, whichever is earlier. Until then, California notaries can't perform RON.

State examples

The key distinction: notary's state vs. signer's location

RON laws authorize notaries commissioned in a state, usually while physically located in that state. Many states allow their online notaries to notarize for signers located elsewhere, including abroad, subject to conditions (for example, the document relating to a matter in the notary's state or the U.S.). That's why a signer in a state without RON can often still use RON through an out-of-state notary.

Acceptance is the real test. County recorders, courts, agencies, and foreign governments decide whether they'll accept a remotely notarized document. For real estate, the lender, title insurer, and county recorder must all accept the method.

How to become a remote online notary

1. Hold a traditional notary commission in a state that authorizes RON.
2. Read your state's RON statute and rules on the Secretary of State's website.
3. Complete any required RON course or exam.
4. Choose a compliant platform that meets your state's identity proofing, recording, and storage requirements.
5. Obtain an electronic seal and digital certificate (often through the platform or an approved provider).
6. Apply or register as an online notary and pay any fees.
7. Get any additional bond or E&O your state requires for online notarization.
8. Set up a private, quiet workspace with reliable internet, a good camera, and lighting.
9. Learn your retention duties for recordings and journals.

RON research checklist

• ☐ Is RON authorized for my state's notaries, and is it in effect now?
• ☐ Do I need a separate commission, registration, or endorsement?
• ☐ Is training or an exam required?
• ☐ Which identity proofing methods are required?
• ☐ How long must I keep recordings and journals?
• ☐ What's the maximum fee for an online notarial act?
• ☐ Must I be physically present in my state during sessions?
• ☐ Are any documents excluded (for example, wills or certain real estate documents)?
• ☐ Are additional bond or insurance requirements imposed?

The economics of RON

Example: A Texas online notary performs 12 online notarizations in a week at $25 each plus permitted standard fees, earning about $300 before platform costs. If the platform charges per-session and identity verification fees, net income could be meaningfully lower. Compare platforms on who pays which costs.

If you're a signer, not a notary

Before booking an online notarization, ask whoever will receive the document whether they accept remote online notarizations, and whether they have any requirements about the notary's state or the platform. Have a current government-issued photo ID ready, a device with a camera and microphone, and a quiet, well-lit place to sit. Expect identity questions drawn from public and credit records, and an ID scan. If the document must be recorded with a county or used abroad, ask the recorder or the foreign authority about electronic documents and, for foreign use, whether an apostille is needed for an electronically notarized document. A few minutes of checking can save you from repeating the whole process in person.

Common RON mistakes

1. Performing a session while physically outside your commissioning state.
2. Skipping or weakening identity proofing steps.
3. Using a platform that doesn't meet your state's standards.
4. Failing to keep recordings and journals for the required period.
5. Charging more than your state's fee cap.
6. Assuming every recipient will accept a remotely notarized document.

Your next step

Visit your Secretary of State's notary page and confirm whether RON is in effect for your commission. If it is, compare two or three compliant platforms on fees, customer flow, and storage, and complete any required training before applying.

The full guide, Becoming a Notary & Loan Signing Agent, covers notary commissioning, notarial acts, signing agent certification, loan documents, step-by-step signings, RON by state, eClosings, pricing, taxes, marketing, and a 30/60/90-day plan, for $0.99.