Frequently Asked Questions

The basics: what online notarization is and how it works

What is remote online notarization (RON)?

Remote online notarization is a notarial act performed over the internet: the signer appears on live video before a commissioned notary instead of standing in the same room. The Minnesota Secretary of State defines a remote notary as a “legally commissioned notary public who is authorized to conduct notarizations over the internet via digital tools and a live audio video call” — the same definition most RON states follow. The notary verifies your identity, watches you sign electronically, and applies a tamper-evident electronic seal.

The notarization itself is the same legal act as an in-person one — only the way you appear before the notary changes. For a full plain-English explainer of the service, start with our guide to remote online notarization.

Do I still “personally appear” before the notary?

Yes. Personal appearance is a core requirement of every notarization, and RON laws satisfy it by live audio-video: the signer appears on live video, in real time, for the entire notarial act. A recording or a phone call does not qualify — the notary must see and interact with you throughout the session. That live interaction is also how the notary confirms you are signing willingly and are not being coerced, the same judgment an in-person notary makes.

What happens during a session, step by step?

A typical remote online notarization on USA Notary follows five steps:

1. Upload your document. You submit the unsigned document electronically — do not sign it beforehand, because the notary must witness the signature.
2. Verify your identity. Automated credential analysis checks your government-issued ID, and knowledge-based authentication (KBA) asks questions drawn from your personal history.
3. Join the live video session. A commissioned notary confirms your identity visually, reviews the document with you, and confirms you understand what you are signing.
4. Sign electronically. You apply your electronic signature on camera while the notary watches.
5. Receive the notarized document. The notary applies an electronic seal and signature, producing a tamper-evident file you can download and deliver immediately.

The full walkthrough, including what each screen looks like, is on our step-by-step how-it-works page. Most sessions are completed in 15–30 minutes from start to finish.

What equipment do I need?

Three things: a device with a camera, microphone, and internet connection (a computer, tablet, or smartphone all work), a valid government-issued photo ID, and the document you need notarized. The process runs in a standard web browser on most modern devices — no special software to install.

A stable connection matters more than a fast one: the session must remain live and uninterrupted while you verify your identity and sign. If your connection drops mid-session, you may need to restart the notarization.

RON vs. eNotarization vs. in-person: what’s the difference?

Three terms get mixed up constantly. In-person notarization is the traditional paper-and-stamp act. Electronic notarization (eNotarization) is the performance of a notarial act on an electronic document — but the signer still appears physically before the notary. Remote online notarization (RON) is both electronic and remote: the signer appears on live video. The Minnesota Secretary of State draws exactly this distinction in its RON FAQ. Here is how the three compare:

If you decide in-person is the better fit for your situation, our guide to where to get something notarized compares banks, shipping stores, libraries, and mobile notaries.

Document questions

What documents can be notarized online?

Most documents that require notarization can be completed remotely: affidavits, powers of attorney, business contracts, real estate documents, and personal legal documents are the most common. If a commissioned notary could notarize it in person, it can usually be notarized online — subject to the state-law exceptions below.

What documents can’t be notarized online?

Some states exclude certain document types from remote online notarization — commonly wills and some estate or family-law documents. Document eligibility follows the notary’s state law, so the answer depends on which state’s rules govern your notarization. Before a session, confirm two things: that your document type is RON-eligible under the applicable state law, and that the party receiving the document accepts a remotely notarized version. Our RON legality guide covers the state-by-state picture.

Do you handle apostilles?

An apostille is a separate certification issued by a state authority for documents headed abroad — it is not something a notary attaches during the notarization itself. USA Notary can assist with apostille facilitation; contact us with your document type and destination country and we will walk you through the options.

What if I’d rather get this notarized in person?

Online is not the only route, and for some documents it is not the right one. Banks, credit unions, shipping stores, libraries, and mobile notaries all offer in-person notarization — each with different costs, hours, and limitations. Our comparison of every place to get something notarized lays out when each option makes sense.

Witnesses, military signers, and multiple signers

Can multiple people sign in one session?

Yes. Multiple signers can participate in the same notarization session — useful for documents like real estate paperwork where spouses or business partners sign together. Each signer completes their own identity verification and must be present on the video session when they sign.

What if my document requires a witness?

Remote witnesses are supported where state law and the document’s own rules permit them. Witnesses join the same live video session and complete identity verification, just like signers. Because witness rules vary by state and by document type, check your document’s instructions for how many witnesses it requires and whether they may appear remotely.

Can military members stationed overseas use online notarization?

Yes. USA Notary supports signers at APO/FPO military addresses. Service members handling a power of attorney, a real estate transaction, or family paperwork back home can complete the notarization from base — the requirements are the same as for any signer: a valid government-issued ID, a device with a camera and microphone, and a stable internet connection.