Remote Online Notarization (RON) allows you to get documents notarized via a secure video call from any device with a camera and internet connection. As of 2026, 28 states have enacted permanent RON legislation, while 23 states have limited or no RON authorization.
What is Remote Online Notarization?
RON uses audio-video technology to connect a signer with a commissioned notary public remotely. The notary verifies the signer's identity through knowledge-based authentication (KBA) and credential analysis, then witnesses the signing via live video. The completed document is sealed with a tamper-evident digital certificate.
Unlike traditional notarization, RON doesn't require physical presence. You can notarize a document from your couch at 11pm on a Saturday. The process typically takes under 10 minutes and costs around $25.
States That Allow Remote Online Notarization
These 28 states have enacted legislation authorizing RON for most document types:
| State | Active Notaries |
|---|---|
| Arizona | — |
| California | 78,510 |
| Colorado | 74,475 |
| District of Columbia | 3,096 |
| Florida | — |
| Idaho | — |
| Indiana | — |
| Iowa | — |
| Kentucky | — |
| Maryland | — |
| Michigan | — |
| Minnesota | — |
| Missouri | — |
| Montana | — |
| Nebraska | — |
| Nevada | — |
| New York | 237,056 |
| North Carolina | — |
| North Dakota | — |
| Ohio | — |
| Oklahoma | 75,932 |
| Pennsylvania | — |
| Tennessee | — |
| Texas | 465,000 |
| Utah | 24,000 |
| Virginia | — |
| Washington | — |
| Wisconsin | 1,000 |
States with Limited or No RON
These 23 states have not yet enacted permanent RON legislation, though some may allow it under temporary emergency orders or limited circumstances:
| State | Active Notaries |
|---|---|
| Alabama | — |
| Alaska | — |
| Arkansas | — |
| Connecticut | 46,095 |
| Delaware | 14,221 |
| Georgia | — |
| Hawaii | — |
| Illinois | — |
| Kansas | — |
| Louisiana | 48,637 |
| Maine | — |
| Massachusetts | — |
| Mississippi | — |
| New Hampshire | — |
| New Jersey | 145,261 |
| New Mexico | — |
| Oregon | 35,092 |
| Rhode Island | 14,141 |
| South Carolina | — |
| South Dakota | 19,172 |
| Vermont | — |
| West Virginia | — |
| Wyoming | — |
How RON Works: Step by Step
- Upload your document - the RON platform accepts PDFs, Word documents, and scanned images
- Verify your identity - answer knowledge-based authentication questions and present a government-issued photo ID
- Join the video session - a licensed notary guides you through the signing in real time
- Receive your notarized document - digitally sealed with a tamper-evident certificate, delivered instantly
When to Use RON vs In-Person Notarization
RON is ideal when you need a document notarized urgently, outside business hours, or when you can't travel to a walk-in notary location. It's commonly used for power of attorney documents, affidavits, real estate paperwork, and business agreements.
Some documents - particularly certain real estate recordings and court filings - may still require traditional in-person notarization depending on your state and county. If you're unsure, a mobile notary can come to your location for the same flexibility without the remote component.
RON Acceptance Across State Lines
A common question: if your state doesn't allow RON, can you use a notary commissioned in a RON-authorized state? Generally, yes. The Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization (SECURE) Act, if passed at the federal level, would standardize this across all states. In practice, most institutions accept RON-notarized documents regardless of the signer's location.
For the most current fees and regulations in your state, check our notary fees by state page.