Remote online notarization — RON — lets you notarize documents for signers anywhere in the world, on video, from your desk. No driving, no printing stacks of paper, no after-hours kitchen-table signings. For notaries who want to work from home, RON is the most exciting lane in the industry.
But RON is also the most regulated lane. Your state must authorize it, you must register or apply with the state, and the technology has to meet strict legal standards. This guide walks you through the full path: confirming your state allows RON, registering, choosing a platform, getting your digital tools, and finding clients once you are live.
What RON Is — and Is Not
In a remote online notarization, the signer appears before you by live audio-video technology instead of in person. You verify their identity — typically through knowledge-based authentication and credential analysis — watch them sign electronically, apply your digital seal and electronic signature, and create a tamper-evident electronic record, including a recording of the session.
RON is not the same as an in-person electronic notarization (IPEN), where the signer is physically with you but signs on a screen, and it is not the same as a remote ink-signed notarization (RIN), which some states allowed temporarily. The rules, registrations, and platforms differ — make sure you are pursuing the right one for your state.
Step 1: Confirm Your State Authorizes RON
Most states now authorize RON in some form, but the details vary enormously: which notaries may perform it, what registration is required, which identity-proofing standards apply, and how long recordings must be kept. A few states still do not authorize it at all.
Your Secretary of State’s website is the authority. Find its RON or remote notarization page and read the requirements before you spend money on a platform — choosing technology before understanding your state’s rules is the most common expensive mistake.
Step 2: Hold a Current Traditional Commission
In nearly every state, RON is an extension of your existing notary commission, not a separate credential. You must be a commissioned notary in good standing first. If you are not commissioned yet, start with our national guide on how to become a notary.
Step 3: Register as a Remote Online Notary With Your State
Most RON states require a separate registration or application: you notify the state that you intend to perform remote notarizations, identify the RON platform you will use, and sometimes complete additional education. Some states charge a registration fee; some require you to use state-approved platforms only.
Read the registration instructions twice. States are strict about the details — using an unapproved platform or skipping the registration step can invalidate your notarizations.
Step 4: Choose Your RON Platform
Your RON platform is your office: it hosts the video session, runs identity verification, manages the electronic journal, applies your digital seal, and stores the recording. Example platforms include Vanessa’s own platform, iNotarize, alongside other well-known services such as Notarize, DocVerify, and Pavaso — and the list keeps growing, so compare current options against your state’s approved list.
When comparing platforms, ask:
- Is it approved in my state?
- What does it cost — monthly fee, per-session fee, or both?
- How does it handle identity proofing and credential analysis?
- How long are session recordings stored, and who can access them?
- Does it connect me with clients, or do I bring my own?
Some platforms operate as marketplaces that send you signers; others are pure technology that you use with clients you find yourself. Know which model you are buying into.
Step 5: Get Your Digital Seal, Electronic Signature, and Journal
RON requires:
- A digital certificate / electronic seal issued by a trusted provider, tied to your commission
- An electronic signature that meets your state’s tamper-evident standards
- An electronic journal — most platforms include one; your state may specify what it must record
- Reliable technology: a computer with a good camera and microphone, strong internet, and a quiet, professional-looking workspace
Your digital seal must match your commission details exactly, just like a physical stamp.
Step 6: Learn the RON Session Workflow
A typical RON session runs: signer identity verification (credential analysis plus knowledge-based authentication questions), the live video meeting, document review and electronic signing, application of your digital seal, and secure storage of the recording and journal entry. Practice the full workflow before your first paying session — fumbling with technology in front of a client destroys confidence.
What RON Costs to Start
Typical startup costs beyond your notary commission: state RON registration ($0–$100+ depending on the state), platform fees (monthly subscriptions, per-session fees, or both — budget $50–$300/month to start), and your digital certificate (often under $100/year). Many RON notaries start part-time on one platform and expand from there.
How RON Notaries Find Clients and Get Paid
RON clients come from three directions:
- Platform marketplaces that assign sessions to approved notaries
- Signing services and title companies with remote closings — reach out exactly as you would for in-person signing work
- Your own marketing: a website, Google Business profile, and directory listings that say you offer online notarization
Fees per RON session are often lower than in-person signings, but there is no driving, no printing, and sessions can stack back-to-back. Volume and efficiency are the business model. Our guide on how to get notary signing clients applies to RON too — adapt the outreach to remote services.
From Vanessa’s Desk
I have watched RON grow from a Virginia experiment into a national industry — Virginia was one of the very first states to authorize it. Here’s my honest take: RON rewards notaries who are comfortable on camera, precise with technology, and disciplined about the rules. If that sounds like you, it is a wonderful business. If technology frustrates you, master in-person work first. Either way, get trained — a bad RON session is recorded forever, so make your first one your fiftieth practice run.
Get Trained for the RON Era
RON is a skill, not just a registration. The Ultimate Notary Training bundle prepares you for modern notary work from commission to income, and my ebook, How to Make $1K a Week as a Notary, is in the Notary2Notary shop. Want the complete library and live help? The Golden Ticket bundle includes every course plus our Sunday coaching calls.
Welcome to the Notary Family — the future of this profession is already here, and it is on video.
FAQ
Is remote online notarization legal in my state?
Most states now authorize RON, but a few do not, and requirements differ widely. Check your Secretary of State’s RON page for the current rules in your state.
Do I need to be a notary before becoming a RON notary?
Yes — in nearly every state, RON is an extension of an existing traditional notary commission. Get commissioned first, then register for RON.
How much does it cost to start doing RON?
Beyond your commission, expect state registration fees, platform costs (often $50–$300/month to start), and a digital certificate (usually under $100/year).
How do RON notaries get clients?
Through platform marketplaces, signing services and title companies with remote closings, and your own marketing — a website and directory listings that advertise online notarization.