General Information and Resources

Can a PDF be notarized online?

Quick answer: yes, a PDF can absolutely be notarized online, in fact, PDF is the standard format for remote online notarization. You upload your PDF, complete identity verification and the live session, and receive back a notarized PDF with a tamper-evident electronic seal. The format itself is rarely the issue; what matters is that the…

How Long Are Online Notarization Recordings Kept?

Quick answer: online notarization recordings are typically kept for 5 to 10 years, depending on the state governing the notarial act, with many states requiring the full 10 years. This retention isn’t optional, it’s a legal requirement in most RON frameworks, which is why the recordings are stored securely rather than deleted after your session.…

What Technology Do I Need for Online Notarization?

Quick answer: you need a device with a camera and microphone (computer, tablet, or smartphone), a stable internet connection, a valid government-issued photo ID, and the document you want notarized. You generally don’t need to install special software, most platforms run in a standard web browser. The session depends on reliable audio-video and identity-verification capability,…

Can an Out-of-State Signer Use a Remote Notary?

Quick answer: yes, in most cases an out-of-state signer can use a remote notary. With remote online notarization (RON), what matters is where the notary is commissioned and physically located, not where the signer is. A notary in a full-RON state can typically notarize for a signer located in almost any other state, as long…

What Happens If I Fail Identity Verification Online?

Quick answer: if you fail identity verification during online notarization, the session pauses and the notary cannot complete the notarial act until the issue is resolved. This isn’t the end of the road, most causes are fixable, but the notary legally can’t skip the step. Depending on your state, you’ll either retry, use a different…

Can You Notarize Documents Remotely?

Yes — you can notarize documents remotely in most of the United States. Through Remote Online Notarization (RON), a commissioned notary can verify your identity and witness your signature over a live video call, so you can complete a notarization from home without ever meeting in person.

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The Future of Notarization: Remote Notary Predictions for the Years Ahead

Quick answer: the future of notarization is clearly moving toward remote online notarization (RON). Adoption is expanding state by state, identity-verification technology keeps getting stronger, and institutions like lenders and title companies are increasingly comfortable accepting remotely notarized documents. For anyone considering becoming a remote notary, the direction of travel is favorable and steady. Notarization…

How to Find a Legitimate Remote Notary Near You

Quick answer: the best way to find a legitimate remote notary near you is to stop thinking locally. Because remote online notarization happens over secure video, a notary commissioned in any full-RON state can legally serve you no matter where you live — so the smartest move is to use an established, vetted online notary…

What States Allow Remote Online Notary?

Remote Online Notarization (RON) lets a notary complete a notarization entirely online using audio-visual technology, with the signer in a different location. As of 2026, the large majority of U.S. states permit RON — but a handful still don’t, and a few have passed laws that aren’t operational yet.

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