Remote online notarization is regulated by state law. The notary’s physical location and commission are central to the notarial act, while the signer’s location, document type, destination, and receiving-party policy can also affect the correct workflow.
This directory begins with our Florida, Texas, California, and New York guides. Use it as a navigation hub, then verify the current rule with the commissioning authority or the organization that will receive your document.
The NASS state notary directory links to state commissioning authorities, and its remote notarization overview emphasizes that procedures vary. States may differ on notary registration, technology providers, identity proofing, record retention, witness participation, fees, and excluded documents.
A state’s authorization for its own notaries does not automatically answer whether a particular court, county recorder, lender, title company, foreign authority, or private recipient will accept the document.
Florida authorizes registered remote online notaries under state statutes and administrative rules.
Texas commissions online notaries and requires the notary to be physically located in Texas during the act.
New York permits registered electronic notaries to perform authorized electronic notarial acts remotely.
California notaries currently require physical appearance; implementation of the state RON law is scheduled for a later date.
Important: Eligibility for a remote session and acceptance of the completed document are separate questions. Confirm both before starting.
Start with the document’s destination and the notary’s authority, not simply the signer’s mailing address.
Florida has authorized registered remote online notaries since 2020. The Florida Department of State publishes the governing resources and registration information. Visit our Florida online notary page and Florida RON guide for signer-focused preparation.
The Texas Secretary of State explains that a commissioned Texas online notary uses two-way audio-video technology and must be physically within Texas when performing the act. Continue to online notary in Texas or review which Texas documents may be notarized online.
New York authorizes registered electronic notaries to perform electronic notarial acts remotely, with the notary physically located in New York. The New York Department of State FAQ provides current official details. See online notary in New York and New York electronic notarization rules.
The California Secretary of State states that California notaries may not currently perform remote online notarizations and that implementation of Senate Bill 696 depends on the state technology project or the statutory date. A California resident may encounter an out-of-state remote notarization, but acceptance and governing-law questions must be confirmed for the specific document. Read our California online notary guide and California RON limitations.
Some signers outside the United States can use a U.S. remote notary, but the notary’s state authority and the destination’s acceptance both matter. The U.S. Department of State advises signers to check with the relevant state and foreign country. Review our international signer guide and determine whether an apostille or authentication will follow.
Not always. Many RON laws focus on where the commissioned notary is physically located, but signer location, document destination, and special restrictions still require review.
Many are, but cross-state recognition does not override document-specific requirements or a recipient’s procedures. Confirm acceptance before paying for the session.
California currently requires physical appearance before a California notary. Its enacted RON framework is not yet operational, so California-specific documents require careful recipient and governing-law review.
State laws and administrative rules change. This page is general information, not legal advice or a substitute for the latest instructions from an official commissioning authority.
Open the state page that matches your document and confirm the current official rules.
Current physical-appearance rule, future RON implementation, and acceptance questions.
Electronic notary registration, remote act basics, and signer considerations.
Understand the nationwide framework without assuming every document qualifies.
Prepare a U.S. document for notarization while the signer is abroad.
Know which rules apply?
Confirm the document and recipient requirements, then connect with an authorized online notary.
