Key Takeaways
- Remote online notarization (RON) lets you sign and notarize a document over a live video call with a commissioned notary.
- Most states now authorize RON, though notaries must follow their own state’s rules.
- It works well for powers of attorney, HIPAA releases and many other forms, but the institution you’ll use it with may have its own preferences.
- Wills are harder: most states still require witnesses, and only some states allow electronic wills or remote witnessing.
- Always confirm that the people who need to accept the document, such as a bank or hospital, will take an electronically notarized copy.
How remote online notarization works
- Upload your document to an online notary platform.
- Verify your identity, usually with a photo ID and knowledge-based questions.
- Join a live video call with a notary commissioned for online notarization.
- Sign electronically while the notary watches.
- The notary applies an electronic seal, and the session is recorded and stored as required by law.
You get back a digitally signed and notarized document, usually as a PDF.
In-person vs. online notarization
| In-person notary | Remote online notary | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you sign | At a bank, store or office | Anywhere with a camera and internet |
| ID check | Notary inspects your ID | ID scan plus identity questions |
| Signature | Ink on paper | Electronic signature |
| Record | Notary journal | Journal plus a recording of the session |
| Cost | Often free at banks | Usually a per-session fee |
| Accepted for wills | Yes, where notarization applies | Only where state law allows e-wills or remote witnessing |
Which documents can be notarized online?
Usually fine: financial powers of attorney, HIPAA releases, temporary guardianship and travel consent forms, and many general affidavits.
Check first: health care powers of attorney and living wills, because states often have specific witness rules for them, and real estate documents, which must be accepted by the county recorder.
Most complicated: wills. In most states a will still needs two witnesses who watched you sign. A growing number of states, including Nevada, Florida, Indiana and Arizona, have laws allowing electronic wills, and others allow remote witnessing under specific rules. Unless you’re sure your state allows it, sign your will in person. See how many witnesses you need.
Tips for a smooth online signing
- Have a valid government photo ID ready.
- Use a computer with a working camera and microphone and a stable connection.
- Don’t sign the document beforehand; you’ll sign during the session.
- Ask the bank, hospital or school whether they accept electronically notarized documents, or whether they need a paper original.
- Download and store the finished document right away.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, in most states. Notaries who perform it must be commissioned for remote notarization in their state and follow its rules on identity checks and recordings.
Usually, yes. Just confirm that your bank or the institution you’ll use it with accepts electronically notarized documents.
Only in states that allow electronic wills or remote witnessing, and only if you follow their rules exactly. In most states, signing in person with two witnesses remains the safest option.
Often yes, since many states allow their notaries to serve signers located elsewhere. Whether your state and the receiving institution will accept it is a separate question worth checking.
Prices vary by platform and state, usually a per-session fee plus a charge for additional signatures. In-person notarization at a bank is often free.
Keep reading
- How to Sign, Store and Update Your Legal DocumentsA will or power of attorney only works if it's signed correctly, kept where people can find it and kept current. Learn the rules for witnesses, notaries, storage and updates.
- Does a Will Need to Be Notarized?In most states a will doesn't need a notary to be valid, but notarizing a self-proving affidavit can speed up probate. Learn when a notary matters and when witnesses are enough.
- How Many Witnesses Do You Need for a Will?Most states require two adult witnesses for a will. Learn who can and can't be a witness, what witnesses actually do, and how to avoid mistakes that can invalidate a gift.
- Is a Handwritten Will Valid? Holographic Wills ExplainedAbout half of U.S. states accept handwritten (holographic) wills without witnesses. Learn the requirements, the risks, and why a witnessed will is usually the safer choice.
- What Is a Self-Proving Affidavit for a Will?A self-proving affidavit is a notarized statement signed with your will that lets the probate court accept it without contacting your witnesses. Here's how it works.
- Where to Keep Your Will and Estate Planning DocumentsYour original will needs to be safe and easy to find. Compare home safes, safe deposit boxes, attorneys and court filing, and learn where to keep powers of attorney and health documents.
- How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan?Review your will, powers of attorney and beneficiaries every three to five years and after major life events. Here's what to check and how to make changes the right way.
Don’t leave your family guessing
Put your health care wishes in writing with a living will, HIPAA release and medical authorization. The No Brainer Box adds a last will, a revocable trust and health care and financial powers of attorney.
- Answer a few simple questions online
- Download your completed, ready-to-sign forms
- Sign them and keep copies in your account
This guide is general educational information written by the No Brainer Forms Team. It is not legal advice, and No Brainer Forms is not a law firm. Laws and signing requirements vary by state; for advice about your situation, talk to a licensed attorney in your state.