Using an online notary for the first time can feel unfamiliar: you are on camera, showing your ID and signing in front of someone you have never met. In practice it is a short, guided session, and knowing what happens at each point removes most of the nerves. This guide walks through your first online notarization from the moment you open the page to the moment you download your sealed document, including what to have ready, what the notary will ask, how long it takes and what it costs.
What Happens in Your First Online Notary Session?
A first session is one continuous video call, usually about 10 minutes from start to finish. You confirm who you are, the notary confirms it too, you sign while they watch, and the notary seals the document. Nothing is mailed, printed or driven anywhere.
You do not need special software. A browser or mobile device with a camera and microphone is enough, and you can complete the whole session from a phone, tablet or laptop. The notary is a state-commissioned professional on a live two-way video call, and the session is recorded so there is a permanent record of what happened.
Your First Session, Step by Step
Here is what a first-time signer typically goes through, in order. Each step happens online, back to back, in a single sitting.
- Get ready – have your government-issued photo ID, a device with a working camera and microphone, a stable internet connection and your document in digital form, such as a PDF, Word file or image.
- Upload your document – add the file to the secure platform, and leave signature fields blank unless the document or the notary tells you otherwise.
- Verify your identity – you scan your government ID, and you may answer a few knowledge-based questions or complete a face check.
- Meet the notary – the notary joins the video call, reviews your ID and may ask you to confirm the document and that you are signing willingly.
- Sign on screen – you apply your signature while the notary watches live.
- Receive your sealed document – the notary applies their digital seal, the session is recorded and stored, and you download the notarized file.
On BlueNotary, this six-step process runs on a network of more than 20,000 certified notaries available 24/7, so most first sessions finish in about 10 minutes.
What You Do and What the Notary Does
Knowing who does what makes the session easier to follow. You handle your ID, your device and your signature; the notary handles the identity review, the oath or acknowledgment wording, the seal and the record of the session.
| Step | What You Do | What the Notary Does |
| Before the call | Gather your ID, your document and a device with a camera | Not involved yet |
| Identity check | Scan your government ID and answer any knowledge-based questions | Reviews your ID and the verification results |
| Video call | Join the live two-way video call | Greets you and confirms your identity and the document |
| Signing | Sign on screen while the notary watches | Witnesses your signature in real time |
| Sealing | Wait a moment while the notary completes the record | Applies the digital seal and signature |
| Afterward | Download your notarized document | Session recording is stored securely as the compliance record |
Most of the effort is in the preparation: if your ID, device and document are ready, the session itself is quick.
How Long Will Your First Session Take, and What Does It Cost?
A first session with one signer typically takes about 10 minutes from upload to a finished, notarized file. On BlueNotary, a notarization with one signer and one stamp costs $25. Each additional stamp is $8, each additional signer is $5, and a BlueNotary witness is $10 (your own witness is free).
A multi-signer real estate document may take a few minutes longer than a single-page affidavit, but the steps stay the same. For a full price breakdown, see how much it costs to notarize a document online.
Common First-Session Problems and How to Avoid Them
Most delays come from preparation, not the technology. A few quick checks before you start keep the session on track: use a clear, well-lit photo ID with no glare, make sure the name on your ID matches the name on the document, test your camera and microphone, and confirm that your document is complete and in a supported format such as PDF, Word or an image.
If your document needs a witness, or has more than one signer, line those people up before you begin so everyone can join the same session. Because the session is recorded, you also leave with a permanent record of exactly what happened.
Ready to try it yourself? Notarize a document now – most sessions take about 10 minutes and start at $25. If you’re notarizing documents for a company rather than yourself, see how BlueNotary supports business notarization needs. You can also read BlueNotary’s full guide to remote online notary for a deeper look at the identity-verification technology behind each session.
FAQ
1. What do I need for my first online notarization?
A government-issued photo ID, a device with a camera and microphone, a stable internet connection and your document in digital form, such as a PDF, Word file or image.
2. What will the notary ask me to do?
You will show your government ID on camera, may answer identity questions, confirm the document you are signing and sign while the notary watches.
3. Can I use my phone for my first session?
Yes. Online notary platforms like BlueNotary run in a standard web browser on a phone, tablet or computer with a camera, so no software installation is required.
4. How long does a first online notarization take?
About 10 minutes from upload to a completed, notarized file for a typical single-signer document. Documents with several signers can take a few minutes longer.
5. What do I receive when the session ends?
A digitally sealed, notarized copy of your document. The session is also recorded and securely stored as the compliance record.
6. What does a first session cost?
On BlueNotary, one signer and one stamp costs $25. Each additional stamp is $8, each additional signer is $5, and a BlueNotary witness is $10 (your own witness is free).
