How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Alaska (2026)

Overview

Alaska commissions are 4-year terms with a $40 filing fee. The $2,500 bond is among the lower bond requirements nationally. Once authorized, Alaska RON notaries can serve signers anywhere in the country – including Alaska’s remote communities that lack convenient access to in-person notary services.

Alaska RON Legal Framework

Alaska RON requirements under Alaska Statutes (effective January 1, 2021):

• Active Alaska notary commission (4-year term) issued by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor
• $2,500 surety bond (4-year bond matching the commission term) plus notarized oath of office
• Written notice to the Lieutenant Governor including a copy of your signature and electronic seal
• RON application through the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
• Selection of a state-compliant RON technology provider
• Completion of a state-approved RON training course
• Acquisition of a digital certificate and electronic seal from an approved provider
• Two-way real-time audio-visual communication for every remote session
• Identity verification using approved methods
• Electronic journal entry required per notarial act
• Audio-visual recording retained per state requirements

Alaska’s “Lieutenant Governor” – Not Secretary of State

Alaska does not have a Secretary of State. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor administers notary commissions and receives the required written notice for RON. When following national RON guides that reference “Secretary of State,” the Alaska equivalent is the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. Key contacts:

• Notary commission applications: Office of the Lieutenant Governor (ltgov.alaska.gov)
• RON application: Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (commerce.alaska.gov)
• Written notice for RON: Submitted directly to the Lieutenant Governor’s office

This split – commission through Lt. Governor, RON application through Department of Commerce – is unique to Alaska and different from all other states.

Alaska’s Written Notice Requirement

Before performing remote online notarizations, Alaska requires submission of a written notice to the Lieutenant Governor that includes:

• A copy of the signature you intend to use for remote online notarizations
• A copy of the electronic seal you intend to use

This notice ensures your electronic seal and signature are properly registered before you begin performing remote sessions. Submit the notice before or concurrent with the RON application to avoid gaps in the authorization timeline.

Alaska’s $2,500 Bond and $40 Filing Fee

Alaska requires a 4-year $2,500 surety bond matching the 4-year commission term. The bond plus a notarized oath of office is submitted to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. Annual premium for a $2,500 bond is typically under $50. Additionally, Alaska charges a $40 filing fee for the commission application. The combination of the $40 fee and low bond premium makes the Alaska commission inexpensive compared to states like Nevada ($25,000 bond, higher fees).

RON and Rural Alaska: The Case for Remote Notarization

Alaska’s geography makes RON particularly impactful. With 663,268 square miles and communities accessible only by plane or boat, traditional in-person notarization creates genuine access barriers. Alaska RON notaries can serve:

• Remote communities in the Interior, Bush, and coastal areas
• Alaska residents traveling or working outside the state
• Corporate clients with Alaska-based operations needing document execution
• Real estate transactions involving properties in areas without local notary access

This geographic context means Alaska RON serves a genuine infrastructure need, not just a convenience preference – a differentiated market positioning relative to urban states.

Alaska-Compliant RON Technology Providers

Alaska requires use of a state-compliant RON technology provider. Providers that meet Alaska RON requirements include:

• Notarize (Proof) – national platform with Alaska-compliant sessions
• NotaryLive – session management and scheduling
• DocVerify – enterprise document workflows

Verify the current Alaska-compliant provider list at commerce.alaska.gov before the RON application. Your digital certificate and electronic seal are typically obtained through the provider.

Common Mistakes Alaska RON Notaries Make

• Not submitting the written notice to the Lieutenant Governor before performing remote sessions
• Applying through the Lt. Governor’s office for the RON application – it goes through Department of Commerce
• Forgetting that the bond must be a 4-year bond matching the commission term
• Performing remote sessions before receiving RON authorization

Before You Start

Alaska RON requires authorization before any remote session. Obtain the $2,500 bond, commission through the Lt. Governor’s office, submit the written notice with your signature and seal, complete approved training, apply through the Department of Commerce, and wait for authorization. Official reference: Alaska Office of the Lieutenant Governor – Notaries Public.

FAQ