Remote online notarization is legal in Tennessee. Since July 1, 2019, the Online Notary Public Act has allowed Tennessee notaries who hold a separate online notary commission to notarize over live audio and video. An online notarization in Tennessee may cost no more than $25 per act, the notary must be physically in Tennessee, and the signer can be anywhere. Tennesseans can also use online notaries commissioned in other states.
This guide explains the Tennessee rules, how the fee cap compares with platform pricing, what a session involves, and which situations still call for a traditional notary.
Is remote online notarization legal in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee’s Online Notary Public Act, Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-16-301 and following sections, took effect July 1, 2019. A Tennessee notary must first hold a traditional commission and then receive an online notary commission from the Secretary of State. The online notary must be located in Tennessee during the session, though the signer need not be.
The Tennessee Secretary of State’s business FAQ confirms the July 1, 2019 effective date and states that all regular notary rules still apply to online sessions, including confirming the signer’s identity, the voluntary nature of the act, and the legality of the document.
Tennessee’s approach has a detail that surprises people. The same FAQ says the state offers notaries and remote online notaries, but not e-notaries. In other words, Tennessee does not commission notaries for in-person electronic notarization (IPEN), where the signer and notary share a room but use electronic documents.
Who can perform an online notarization in Tennessee?
Only a current Tennessee notary who has applied for and received an online notary commission. The Secretary of State’s guide to becoming an online notary public says applicants must be existing notaries, apply online, and pay a $75 initial fee, and that the online commission expires with the traditional commission.
The Secretary of State does not recommend or endorse any particular technology vendor, according to its FAQ. Tennessee online notaries choose their own platform, which must meet the state’s rules for identity proofing, credential analysis, recording, and electronic seals.
How much does an online notarization cost in Tennessee?
A Tennessee online notary, or the notary’s employer, may charge no more than $25 for each online notarization. For traditional paper notarizations, Tennessee law allows “reasonable” fees rather than a fixed schedule. Platforms that use notaries commissioned elsewhere publish their own prices; BlueNotary pricing starts at $25 for one stamp.
| Fee item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum fee per online notarization, Tennessee online notary | $25 | Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1360-07-03-.06 |
| Traditional notarization, Tennessee notary | Reasonable fees; no fixed statewide amount | Tennessee Secretary of State FAQ |
| BlueNotary notarization with one stamp | $25 | BlueNotary fee schedule |
| BlueNotary additional stamp | $8 | BlueNotary fee schedule |
| BlueNotary additional signer | $5 | BlueNotary fee schedule |
Tennessee’s $25 cap applies to Tennessee online notaries. A notary commissioned in another state follows that state’s fee rules. For documents that need several notarial certificates or several signers, the total cost can differ significantly between options, so ask for a full quote.
What are the key rules for Tennessee online notarization?
Tennessee regulates who can be an online notary, where the notary must be, how identity is verified, and how records are kept. The table below summarizes the rules signers are most likely to encounter.
| Topic | Tennessee rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Governing law | Online Notary Public Act, Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-16-301 et seq., and Rules Chapter 1360-07-03 | Tennessee Secretary of State |
| Effective date | July 1, 2019 | Tennessee Secretary of State FAQ |
| Notary qualification | Existing Tennessee notary with an online notary commission | Tennessee Secretary of State guide |
| Notary location | Physically in Tennessee; the signer may be anywhere | Rules Chapter 1360-07-03 |
| Fee cap | $25 per online notarization | Rule 1360-07-03-.06 |
| In-person electronic notarization | Not offered; Tennessee commissions notaries and online notaries only | Tennessee Secretary of State FAQ |
| Vendors | No state-endorsed vendor list | Tennessee Secretary of State FAQ |
What do the key terms mean?
A few terms appear in every Tennessee RON discussion:
- Remote online notarization (RON): A notarial act in which the signer appears before the notary through live two-way audio and video.
- Online notary commission: Tennessee’s separate authorization, layered on a traditional commission, that permits RON.
- Credential analysis: An automated check that a government-issued ID appears genuine.
- Identity proofing: A process that confirms the signer is the person on the ID, often through knowledge-based questions or biometrics.
- Jurat: A notarial act in which the signer swears or affirms that a statement is true.
How does a remote online notarization work for Tennessee signers?
The process happens in a browser or on a phone. You upload the document, pass identity checks, meet the notary on live video, sign electronically, and download the notarized file. The notary’s commissioning state rules govern the session, including where the notary must be located.
- Confirm acceptance. Ask the receiving party whether it accepts remote online notarization and whether a Tennessee online notary is required.
- Prepare the document. Leave signature lines blank. BlueNotary accepts PDF, DOCX, and common image formats up to 30 MB, according to its document requirements page.
- Start a session. Begin from the BlueNotary online notarization platform, or sign in to your existing account.
- Verify your identity. Scan a current government-issued photo ID and complete identity questions or a biometric check.
- Meet the notary and sign. The notary confirms your identity and willingness, administers an oath if needed, and applies an electronic signature, seal, and certificate after you sign.
BlueNotary explains each stage in its guide to how online notarization works. If the document needs witnesses, you can invite your own or request one; BlueNotary lists its witness service at $10.
What can go wrong, and how do you avoid it?
Most problems are preventable with a quick check before the session:
- Receiving party rejects RON: Confirm acceptance in writing when the stakes are high.
- ID fails verification: Use an unexpired ID and scan it in good light without glare.
- Wrong signer present: Every signer named in the document must complete identity checks.
- Excluded document: BlueNotary’s help center says it does not accept documents for a foreign embassy, codicils and testamentary trusts, or Form I-9.
- Paper original required: If the recipient insists on ink signatures, use a traditional notary instead.
When should Tennessee signers use a traditional notary?
Choose a traditional in-person notary when the receiving party requires wet-ink signatures or a paper original, or when you need an in-person electronic notarization, which Tennessee does not offer. Remote online notarization is usually the better fit for affidavits, authorizations, and documents with signers in different places.
| Situation | Remote online notarization | Traditional notary |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit, consent, or business authorization | Strong fit | Works, but requires a visit |
| Signers in different states or countries | Strong fit | Hard to coordinate |
| Recipient requires ink signatures | Not suitable | Required |
| Real estate or estate planning documents | Confirm with the title company, lender, or attorney | Confirm with the title company, lender, or attorney |
| Weekend or late-night need | Often available on demand | Depends on local availability |
If you are a Tennessee notary interested in adding an online commission, BlueNotary’s guide to becoming a remote online notary in every state includes the Tennessee steps.
Have a question about your Tennessee document or online notary costs in Tennessee? Email the BlueNotary team at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
When did remote online notarization become legal in Tennessee?
July 1, 2019, when the Online Notary Public Act took effect. Tennessee notaries must hold an online notary commission from the Secretary of State before they can perform remote online notarizations.
How much can a Tennessee online notary charge?
No more than $25 for each online notarization, under Tennessee’s rules. Traditional paper notarizations have no fixed statewide fee; Tennessee law allows reasonable fees. National platforms using out-of-state notaries set their own published prices.
Do I need to be in Tennessee for a Tennessee online notarization?
No. The Tennessee online notary must be physically located in Tennessee, but the signer can be in another state or country, subject to the receiving party’s acceptance and any rules where the signer is located.
Does Tennessee allow in-person electronic notarization?
No. The Tennessee Secretary of State says the state offers traditional notaries and remote online notaries, but not e-notaries. If you need electronic documents notarized, the Tennessee route is remote online notarization.
Is an out-of-state online notarization accepted in Tennessee?
Often, yes, but acceptance is decided by the party receiving your document. Ask the county office, court, lender, or company whether it accepts a remote online notarization by a notary commissioned in another state.
Does the Tennessee Secretary of State approve RON platforms?
No. The Secretary of State says it does not recommend or endorse third-party vendors. Tennessee online notaries select a platform that meets the state’s requirements for identity proofing, recording, and electronic seals.
Ready to notarize your Tennessee document? Start your remote online notarization with BlueNotary and meet a commissioned notary on live video.
