If you need a document notarized and can’t get to a notary’s office, you may be wondering whether you can do it online, and whether it matters which state you live in. The short answer: in most cases, yes, you can have a document notarized online from anywhere in the United States.
How online notarization works across state lines
With Remote Online Notarization (RON), you and the notary meet through a secure live video session instead of in person. The notary must be commissioned and physically located in the state that authorized them to perform remote notarizations. You, the signer, can usually be located somewhere else, including another state.
JSW Notary is a Virginia-approved Remote Online Notary. Virginia was the first state to authorize remote online notarization, and a notarization performed under Virginia law is completed under Virginia’s rules even when the signer is in another state.
Will another state accept my online notarization?
Generally, yes. States recognize notarial acts performed by notaries commissioned in other states, and that recognition is meant to apply to properly performed online notarizations as well. In practice, most documents notarized online are accepted the same way as documents notarized in person.
That said, a few things are worth checking before you schedule:
- Ask the receiving party. If your document is going to a court, county recorder, bank, lender, or government agency, confirm they accept electronically notarized documents.
- Check the document type. Most documents can be notarized online, but some have special rules. Certain estate planning documents, for example, may have state-specific signing or witness requirements.
- Real estate transactions. Remote online closings are subject to applicable state laws, lender requirements, title insurance underwriting guidelines, and document eligibility.
What you’ll need
To complete an online notarization you’ll need a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and microphone, a reliable internet connection, a valid government-issued photo ID, and the unsigned document. Don’t sign it ahead of time. You’ll sign electronically during the session.
Ready to get started?
JSW Notary provides secure Remote Online Notarization through the BlueNotary platform for clients throughout all 50 states and eligible signers located abroad. Learn more about our online notary services or schedule your appointment.
This article is for general information and isn’t legal advice. If you’re unsure whether your document can be notarized online, check with the person or office that will receive it.