An online notary session lets a signer appear before a commissioned notary through live audio-video technology instead of meeting in the same room. The document, identity-verification steps, electronic signature, notarial certificate, and session record are handled through an approved remote workflow.
Remote online notarization is useful when signers are traveling, located in different places, working outside normal business hours, or unable to reach a local office. Availability still depends on the notary’s commission, the document, state law, and the receiving party’s policy.
The NASS remote electronic notarization overview describes a process built around personal appearance by audio-video communication, identity verification, electronic notarial certificates, and recordkeeping. Exact procedures differ by state and platform.
Before starting, ask the recipient whether it will accept an electronic document notarized remotely. Do not assume that eligibility and acceptance are the same: a notary may be authorized to perform the act while a lender, recorder, court, foreign authority, or other recipient may impose additional requirements.
Provide the complete document in a supported format and review it for blank fields or missing pages.
Present acceptable identification and complete the credential-analysis or identity-proofing steps required for the session.
Use two-way audio and video so the commissioned notary can identify you and perform the requested act.
Download the electronically signed and notarized document, then deliver it as the recipient instructs.
Important: Eligibility for a remote session and acceptance of the completed document are separate questions. Confirm both before starting.
Prepare the same way you would for an important in-person signing, with added attention to technology and electronic-document requirements.
Common requests include affidavits, acknowledgments, sworn statements, consent letters, powers of attorney, selected estate documents, business authorizations, deeds, and loan-related forms. Visit the document-type hub to see the major categories. A commissioned notary can decline a document or session when the act is not authorized, the signer cannot be identified, willingness or awareness is in question, or the document is incomplete.
Remote notarization is governed primarily by state law. According to NASS, most states and the District of Columbia have enacted a law allowing remote electronic notarization, but the rules and implementation details vary. Review our legality guide and the state directory, then confirm current official requirements.
A compliant session can use credential analysis, knowledge-based authentication or another authorized identity-proofing method, live audio-video communication, an electronic journal, and a retained recording. These controls support the notary’s identity assessment; they do not guarantee that a document is accurate, enforceable, or accepted by every recipient. Learn more about knowledge-based authentication and the digital notary seal.
The live meeting may be completed quickly when the document and identification are ready, but total timing depends on signer availability, identity checks, witnesses, document corrections, and post-notarization delivery. Review same-day notarization timing and online notarization costs before starting.
You upload the document, verify your identity, appear before a commissioned notary using live audio and video, sign as directed, and receive the electronically notarized file.
Sometimes. The notary must be authorized to perform the act, and the document’s destination must accept it. Review online notarization from another country before scheduling.
No. A remote notary meets through approved communication technology. A mobile notary travels to meet the signer in person. Our comparison guide explains the difference.
This information is educational and is not a substitute for advice from an attorney, agency, lender, recorder, or document recipient.
Use these guides to answer the most common questions before uploading a document.
Follow the complete remote online notarization process from upload to completed file.
Check state-specific rules, availability, and official resources.
Find the right path for affidavits, letters, POA, real estate, and more.
Compare convenience, process, technology, and acceptance considerations.
Understand common fee structures and questions to ask before the session.
Prepare a U.S. document for remote signing while you are abroad.
Have your document and ID ready?
Confirm acceptance, leave required signatures unsigned, and begin a secure remote session when you are ready.
