BlueNotary
An online notary is a state-commissioned notary public who verifies signer identity and witnesses document signing over live video instead of in person. Also called remote online notarization (RON) or electronic notarization, the process typically takes about 10 minutes, costs from $25, and is approved in 42 states including Washington, D.C. BlueNotary connects signers in all 50 states with over 20,000 certified online notaries commissioned in 42+ states, 24/7.
Paper notarization is quietly becoming the exception, not the rule. If you’ve never used an online notary before, the idea of getting a legal document notarized without leaving your couch can feel unfamiliar, even a little suspicious. It isn’t. Remote online notarization is a regulated, legally binding process used by millions of Americans every year for everything from real estate closings to power of attorney forms. This guide covers what an online notary does, whether it’s legal where you live, what you’ll need, and how it compares to a traditional notary visit.
What Is an Online Notary?
An online notary is a licensed notary public who has completed additional state certification to perform notarizations remotely, using audio-video technology instead of an in-person meeting. The notary confirms the signer’s identity through ID verification – and, on more secure platforms, biometric checks – then witnesses the signature and applies an electronic notarial seal, usually within a single live session.
Every state that permits Remote Online Notarization requires the notary to hold a separate RON commission beyond their standard notary license, plus approved identity-verification technology. BlueNotary layers biometric face-scan verification on top of that baseline, which is part of why the platform holds SOC 2 Type II compliance – a detail worth checking for with any provider, not just taking on faith.
Is Online Notarization Legal, and How Does It Work?
Yes. Remote Online Notarization is approved in 42 states including Washington, D.C. as of 2026. Alabama and Connecticut allow remote-ink notarization only, North Carolina and South Carolina are pending, and California, Georgia, Massachusetts and Vermont are awaiting RON regulations. The specific rules (which documents qualify, residency requirements, record-retention rules) vary by state, so confirm your state’s current statute before a time-sensitive signing. Signers in any state can still use an online notary commissioned in an approved state, because the notary’s commissioning state, not the signer’s location, determines the rules. Electronic notarization law is typically administered at the state Secretary of State level.
In practice, the process mirrors an in-person notarization, just conducted live on camera
- Upload your document and verify your identity (ID scan, sometimes a biometric face scan)
- Join a live video session with a certified online notary
- Sign on-screen while the notary watches and confirms your identity
- Receive a digitally sealed copy – often recorded on the blockchain for independent verification
A reputable online notary platform will tell you upfront if your document type or state requires an in-person notarization instead of assuming RON works universally.
What You’ll Need Before Your Session
To use an online notary, you’ll generally need a valid government-issued photo ID, a device with a camera and stable internet connection, and the document itself in digital format. Some document types – powers of attorney, wills, real estate documents – carry extra identity-verification steps or require a specific state-approved RON commission on the notary’s end.
It’s worth confirming document-specific requirements before your session starts rather than assuming every form works the same way: a five-minute check that avoids a rescheduled signing.
Online Notary vs. Traditional Notary
The core legal function is identical – verifying identity and witnessing a signature – but an online notary does it over live video with electronic ID verification and a digital seal, while a traditional notary requires an in-person meeting and a physical stamp. In states that permit RON, the two carry the same legal weight.
The practical differences show up in speed and availability: minutes instead of a scheduled visit, 24/7 access instead of business hours, and often a flat, predictable fee versus variable in-person rates that can climb for after-hours or mobile appointments.
Is Online Notarization Safe?
Reputable online notary platforms build in more identity-verification layers than a typical in-person notarization – government ID scanning, biometric face matching, and encrypted session recording – specifically to address the fraud risk regulators flagged when RON laws were first written.
Look for transparency about compliance: SOC 2 Type II compliance, MISMO certification (relevant for real estate closings), and retained session recordings for audit purposes. BlueNotary’s on-demand notarization is built around these compliance layers because once a document carries legal or financial weight, verified fraud prevention isn’t optional.
If you’re ready to notarize a document, Notarize Now connects you with a certified online notary in minutes. Questions first? Email [email protected] or visit our Contact Sales page.
FAQ
1. What is an online notary?
An online notary is a commissioned notary public who verifies identity and witnesses signatures remotely via live video, using ID verification and a digital notarial seal instead of an in-person visit.
2. Is online notarization legal in my state?
Remote Online Notarization is approved in 42 states including Washington, D.C. as of 2026. Alabama and Connecticut allow remote-ink notarization only, North Carolina and South Carolina are pending, and California, Georgia, Massachusetts and Vermont are awaiting RON regulations. Signers in any state can use an online notary commissioned in an approved state – verify your state’s current requirements before a time-sensitive signing.
3. How long does it take to notarize a document online?
A typical online notarization session takes about 10 minutes, from connecting with a certified notary to receiving your sealed document.
4. What do I need to notarize a document online?
A valid government-issued photo ID, a device with a camera and internet connection, and the document in digital format. Some documents require additional verification steps.
5. How much does it cost to notarize a document online?
Online notarization typically costs around $25 per document, though pricing varies by platform and document complexity – confirm current pricing before starting your session.
6. Is online notarization as legally valid as in-person notarization?
Yes, in states that authorize RON, an online notarization carries the same legal weight as an in-person one, fulfilling the same identity-verification and witnessing requirements.
