How to become a remote online notary (2026)
Remote online notarization (RON) lets a commissioned notary meet signers over recorded video instead of across a table. Most states now allow it — each with its own registration hoop. Here's the pattern, then your state's specifics.
Quick answer
- Prerequisite
- An active notary commission in your state — RON is an add-on, not a separate commission
- Where allowed
- 47 of 51 jurisdictions authorize RON
- Typical extras
- A separate registration or application, an approved technology platform, and often a fee, training, or added bond/E&O
- The work
- Signers appear by audio-video; identity is verified digitally; you seal electronically and keep a recording
Looking to get a document notarized online, not become the notary? That's the other guide: online notarization for consumers.
The general pattern (almost every RON state)
- Hold an active commission — RON authority rides on it.
- File a separate RON registration or application with your commissioning authority, usually with a fee and sometimes extra training or an exam.
- Choose an approved technology provider — most states require a platform from their approved list (or one meeting statutory standards) for identity proofing, audio-video, and recording retention.
- Get your digital certificate and electronic seal — issued through or alongside the platform.
- Follow the extra rules: session recordings kept for a set period, electronic journal, and in some states an increased bond or E&O requirement.
Platform landscape, described neutrally: national platforms include Notarize (Proof), OneNotary, BlueNotary, DocVerify, Pavaso, and SIGNiX, among others — which ones you may use depends on your state's approved list. We don't currently endorse or earn from any platform.
Where RON is allowed — and what each state adds
| State | RON | Extra requirements to register |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | RON allowed | No separate registration, application, or fee |
| Alaska | RON allowed | Hold an active Alaska commission, then send a written request to the notary administrator |
| Arizona | RON allowed | You must hold an active Arizona commission first |
| Arkansas | RON allowed | Any Arkansas notary in good standing can apply for an electronic notary commission thro… |
| Colorado | RON allowed | Hold an active Colorado commission, then complete the separate remote-notary training a… |
| Connecticut | RON allowed | None — no separate application, no extra fee, no state-approved vendor list, and no tra… |
| Delaware | RON allowed | You must already hold a Delaware commission, then request remote and/or electronic priv… |
| District of Columbia | RON allowed | RON works as an endorsement added to an existing DC commission |
| Florida | RON allowed | You must already be an active Florida notary |
| Hawaii | RON allowed | Remote work requires a separate remote online notary |
| Idaho | RON allowed | You must already hold an Idaho commission |
| Illinois | RON allowed | Illinois splits online work in two |
| Indiana | RON allowed | You must already hold an active Indiana commission with at least 90 days left on it and… |
| Iowa | RON allowed | You must already hold an Iowa commission, then — within the 6 months before your first… |
| Kansas | RON allowed | You must already hold a Kansas commission, then: |
| Kentucky | RON allowed | A commissioned Kentucky notary can become an 'online notary public' by registering with… |
| Louisiana | RON allowed | You must be a commissioned Louisiana notary who resides in Louisiana |
| Maine | RON allowed | Before your first electronic or remote notarization you must file the 'Notice to Perfor… |
| Maryland | RON allowed | Hold an active Maryland commission, then submit the remote notary notification form thr… |
| Michigan | RON allowed | Hold a regular Michigan commission first |
| Minnesota | RON allowed | You must hold an active Minnesota commission, then file the Remote Online Notarization… |
| Mississippi | RON allowed | Hold a current Mississippi commission in good standing, then notify the Secretary of St… |
| Missouri | RON allowed | You must be a commissioned Missouri notary, complete an additional SOS-approved course… |
| Montana | RON allowed | Before your first technology-based act you must: pick an electronic notarization system… |
| Nebraska | RON allowed | You must hold an active Nebraska commission |
| Nevada | RON allowed | First you need an active traditional Nevada commission |
| New Hampshire | RON allowed | Before your first remote act you must notify the Secretary of State of the communicatio… |
| New Jersey | RON allowed | Any commissioned New Jersey notary can add remote and electronic notarization without a… |
| New Mexico | RON allowed | You must already hold a New Mexico commission, complete the separate Remote Online Nota… |
| New York | RON allowed | You must hold a New York commission, then register your electronic notarization capabil… |
| North Carolina | RON allowed | Two different tracks exist |
| North Dakota | RON allowed | No separate commission or state fee: before your first remote act you must notify the S… |
| Ohio | RON allowed | You must hold an active Ohio commission and be an Ohio resident |
| Oklahoma | RON allowed | You must already hold an active Oklahoma commission with an approved bond on file, then… |
| Oregon | RON allowed | You must already be a commissioned Oregon notary |
| Pennsylvania | RON allowed | You must already hold a Pennsylvania commission |
| Rhode Island | RON allowed | You must already hold a Rhode Island commission |
| South Dakota | RON allowed | To notarize electronic records remotely you must register as an e-notary: check the e-n… |
| Tennessee | RON allowed | You must already be an active county-elected notary |
| Texas | RON allowed | You must already hold an active Texas traditional commission |
| Utah | RON allowed | You must already hold an active Utah notary commission, then apply separately for a rem… |
| Vermont | RON allowed | You must first hold a regular commission, then apply through the OPR portal for a Speci… |
| Virginia | RON allowed | You must already hold a traditional Virginia commission |
| Washington | RON allowed | Two add-ons stack on a regular commission |
| West Virginia | RON allowed | Hold a regular commission in good standing, then file the E-Notarization Authorization… |
| Wisconsin | RON allowed | You must register with the Department of Financial Institutions before performing remot… |
| Wyoming | RON allowed | No separate application or fee: you check a box on the commission application |
| California | RON not authorized | The Online Notarization Act |
| Georgia | RON not authorized | RON bills |
| Massachusetts | RON not authorized | Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023 added a remote online notarization framework effective Ja… |
| South Carolina | RON not authorized | As of July 2026 the legislature has not enacted a remote online notarization law, makin… |
RON law is the fastest-moving area of notary regulation — every state page shows its verification date and official sources. Click through before acting.
Not commissioned yet?
Start at the beginning: how to become a notary. RON registration is typically days of extra work once the commission exists.
Remote online notary FAQ
Do I need a separate commission to notarize online?
No — in every RON state, remote authorization is an add-on to your existing commission. You register (or apply) separately for RON authority, adopt an approved technology platform, and comply with extra rules like session recordings. If your underlying commission lapses, the RON authority lapses with it.
How do online notarizations verify identity?
Typically through the platform: credential analysis (software validates the ID document) plus knowledge-based authentication (timed personal-history questions), or in some states remote presentation of ID to the notary. The session happens over recorded audio-video, and the recording is retained for a period each state sets.
Can I notarize for signers in other states or countries?
Generally yes — the notary must be physically in their commissioning state (or follow its location rules), but the signer can usually be anywhere, including abroad, if the document relates to a matter within US jurisdiction. The notarization is governed by your state's law. Confirm your state's specific position before taking cross-border work.
Is RON worth it financially?
Several states allow a higher fee per online act (commonly up to $25), and platforms route consumer demand to registered notaries. Treat platform work as volume-dependent supplemental income; the notaries who benefit most combine RON with an existing practice like loan signings where remote closings are permitted.