Not yet – California is one of several states where in-state online notarization isn’t available yet. Alabama and Connecticut allow remote ink notarization only, North Carolina and South Carolina are pending, and California, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Vermont are waiting on regulations. Under SB 696 (2023), California notaries can’t perform online notarizations until the Secretary of State certifies its technology system as complete, or January 1, 2030, whichever comes first. The good news. California residents can still get documents notarized online today, just through a notary commissioned in a different RON-authorized state.
Is Online Notarization Legal in California?
Not yet for notaries commissioned in California. SB 696, California’s “Online Notarization Act,” was signed in September 2023 and directs the Secretary of State to build the technology infrastructure for in-state RON, but the provision letting California notaries actually perform it doesn’t take effect until January 1, 2030, or whenever the state certifies its system is ready – whichever happens first.
| Legal status | Not yet for California-commissioned notaries; out-of-state RON notaries can be used today |
| Governing statute | SB 696 (2023), the “Online Notarization Act” – Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 8231 et seq., 8232–8232.4; Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1181.1, 1182–1183 |
| Effective date | Signed Sept. 30, 2023; phased in from Jan. 1, 2024–Jan. 1, 2025; full authorization by Jan. 1, 2030 (or sooner if the Secretary of State certifies its technology system complete) |
| Fee cap | Not yet set for in-state RON; traditional in-person notarial acts are capped at $15 per signature under Cal. Gov’t Code § 8211 |
| Notary location requirement | Once active, the notary must be physically located in California; until then, an out-of-state RON notary may be used instead |
How Much Does Online Notarization Cost in California?
California hasn’t set a fee cap for in-state online notarization yet, since the program isn’t operating. Traditional in-person notarial acts in California are currently capped at $15 per signature under Cal. Gov’t Code § 8211, which gives a rough sense of where an eventual online fee cap might land, though nothing is confirmed.
In the meantime, California residents using an out-of-state RON notary pay that notary’s own rate. BlueNotary, for example, charges $25 for one signer and one stamp, plus $8 for each additional stamp and $5 for each additional signer, with sessions typically taking about 10 minutes. See the pricing page for business plans. Business Pro costs $47 per seat per month for teams that use their own notaries, with $10 sessions and $0 for additional stamps.
How Do Californians Get a Document Notarized Online Today?
Since California notaries can’t yet perform RON, California residents use a notary commissioned in a different RON-authorized state instead – a path the state itself recognizes under Cal. Civ. Code § 1189(b), which accepts an acknowledgment taken elsewhere if it follows the laws of the place where it was taken.
- Upload your document to an online notarization platform.
- Verify your identity with a government ID scan and a knowledge-based or biometric check.
- Join a live video session with a notary commissioned in a RON-authorized state (not necessarily California).
- Sign your document on camera while the notary witnesses the signature electronically.
- Receive your notarized document, complete with a tamper-evident digital certificate.
Acceptance still depends on the institution receiving the document – most banks, title companies, and lenders accept an out-of-state RON notarization, but it’s worth confirming with the specific recipient first, especially for real estate transactions.
See the full notarization process walkthrough for what to have ready before your session starts.
When Will California Notaries Be Able to Perform Online Notarization?
California notaries will be able to perform online notarization once the Secretary of State certifies the state’s required technology system as complete, or by January 1, 2030 at the latest – whichever happens first. Some pieces of SB 696 have already taken effect on schedule, but the core authorization for notaries to actually perform RON is still pending.
- January 1, 2024. initial provisions of SB 696 took effect, including early Government Code and Civil Code sections.
- January 1, 2025. additional provisions, including platform verification requirements, became operative.
- January 1, 2030 (or earlier). full authorization for California-commissioned notaries to perform RON, contingent on Secretary of State certification; the date could be extended if the state reports its system isn’t ready.
Which Documents Can You Notarize Online as a California Resident?
Most documents California residents commonly need notarized – affidavits, powers of attorney, business agreements, and many real estate documents – can be notarized online today through an out-of-state RON notary, subject to the receiving institution’s own acceptance policies.
- Affidavits and powers of attorney
- Business agreements and LLC documents
- Many real estate documents, subject to confirmation with your title company or county recorder
BlueNotary, an online notarization platform, serves California residents through out-of-state notaries on its platform, even while California’s own in-state RON program is still being built out. BlueNotary’s business page says more than 20,000 certified online notaries are active on the platform.
Have a question about a document in another language? Email BlueNotary at [email protected] and the team will help.
FAQ Section
1. Is online notarization legal in California?
Not yet for California-commissioned notaries. SB 696 authorizes it eventually, but full authorization isn’t expected until January 1, 2030, or sooner if the state’s technology is certified ready. California is not alone. Alabama and Connecticut allow remote ink notarization only, North Carolina and South Carolina are pending, and Georgia, Massachusetts, and Vermont are waiting on regulations.
2. Can California residents use online notarization today?
Yes, through a notary commissioned in a different RON-authorized state. California accepts acknowledgments taken in other places under Cal. Civ. Code § 1189(b) if they follow the law of that place.
3. What is SB 696?
SB 696, California’s “Online Notarization Act,” signed in 2023, directs the Secretary of State to build the infrastructure for California notaries to eventually perform RON.
4. Will every California institution accept an out-of-state online notarization?
Most banks, title companies, and lenders do, but acceptance depends on the specific institution – confirm before relying on it for an important transaction.
5. What will online notarization cost once California launches its own program?
No fee cap has been set yet. Traditional in-person notarizations in California are currently capped at $15 per signature under Cal. Gov’t Code § 8211.
6. How long does an online notarization take for a California resident?
A typical BlueNotary session, using an out-of-state notary, takes about 10 minutes from document upload to a completed, notarized file.
