Proof

What is Remote Online Notarization?

Remote online notarization (RON) is a legally authorized process where a signer verifies their identity digitally and electronically signs documents in real time via live video with a credentialed notary who applies an electronic seal and digital certificate, streamlining traditional notarization by eliminating the need for physical presence and paper documents.

The traditional notarization process typically involves printing documents, visiting a notary office, presenting identification, and waiting for the notary's stamp. This process can be time-consuming and inconvenient, especially if any part of it goes wrong. Remote online notarization (RON) was developed to streamline and modernize this process.

The Short Definition

Remote online notarization (RON) is a legally recognized method of notarization conducted via a live video connection between a signer and a commissioned notary. The signer verifies their identity digitally, reviews and signs documents electronically, and the notary applies an electronic seal and digital certificate. The resulting document is tamper-evident and legally valid in jurisdictions where RON is authorized.

It's important to distinguish RON from other methods:

  • E-signature platforms: Allow electronic signing but do not involve a notary, which is insufficient for documents requiring notarization.
  • Remote ink-signed notarization (RIN): Involves a wet-ink signature that is later uploaded, maintaining a paper-based process.
  • RON: Both signing and notarization occur entirely online, in real time, with a live credentialed notary present.

How Does Remote Online Notarization Work?

From the signer's perspective, a RON session typically involves four steps:

  1. 1.The organization requiring notarization sends a secure link to the signer.
  2. 2.The signer verifies their identity, usually through knowledge-based authentication (KBA) using questions from credit and public records. If KBA is unavailable, biometric verification with a photo ID and selfie is used.
  3. 3.The signer connects via video call to a live, credentialed notary, reviews the documents, and signs electronically.
  4. 4.The notary applies their electronic seal and digital certificate. The completed document is securely stored and returned to the organization.

On the Proof platform, the entire process has a median end-to-end time of less than 30 minutes, with the live notary session itself averaging 3.5 minutes.

What Can You Notarize with Remote Online Notarization?

RON is used across various industries, including legal services, construction, financial services, healthcare, and government. In 2025, the top document categories by volume on Proof were:

  • Legal documents (POAs, affidavits, settlement agreements)
  • Government and vital records
  • Construction documents (lien releases, contractor agreements, Notices of Commencement)
  • Real estate transaction documents
  • Financial services documents

RON technology is versatile and not limited to a single use case. The notary network has managed everything from single-page affidavits to complex, multi-document real estate closings.

Where is Remote Online Notarization Legal?

RON authorization is determined at the state level, and its adoption has grown significantly since 2020. Proof processes notarizations across 51 US jurisdictions and operates in every state where RON is enabled.

State requirements vary, including:

  • Separate commissioning for RON
  • Specific technology standards
  • Identity verification requirements
  • Recordkeeping rules

For up-to-date state-by-state eligibility, consult Proof’s RON legislation hub.

Is Remote Online Notarization Reliable?

While speed is a notable benefit, reliability is crucial for organizations handling important documents. Based on over 1.5 million notarizations on the Proof platform in the past year:

  • Meeting success rate averaged over 85% throughout 2025
  • Bundle conversion (transactions completed, including retries) was 91.9%
  • Notary customer satisfaction averaged 4.95 out of 5.0

Larger, more complex document packages tend to complete at higher rates, likely because motivated signers are involved in high-stakes situations (e.g., real estate closings, legal filings). Additionally, over 250,000 notarizations occurred outside core business hours, demonstrating the flexibility and accessibility of RON.

How Can I Start Notarizing Remotely?

Organizations interested in remote online notarization can request a demo to see Proof in action. For a deeper understanding of RON's growth and reliability, consult the 2026 guide to remote online notarization.