Glossary
What is remote online notarisation?
Short answer
Remote online notarisation lets a signer and a notary complete a notarisation over video instead of meeting in person. The signer passes electronic identity checks, signs the document electronically on camera, and the notary applies a digital seal; the session is usually recorded and kept. Virginia was the first US state to authorise it, in 2011, and most states now have permanent RON laws. Sign PDF does not offer RON.
Updated 25 October 2026
- Remote online notarisation
- Remote online notarisation (RON) is notarisation performed over a live audio-video call, in which a commissioned notary verifies the signer's identity electronically, watches them sign the electronic document, and applies an electronic notarial seal and certificate.
How a RON session works
The steps vary by state, but a typical session goes like this:
- The signer uploads the document to a RON platform and joins a video call with a notary
- Identity is checked, often by knowledge-based questions and analysis of a photo ID
- The signer signs electronically while the notary watches
- The notary adds an electronic signature, seal and notarial certificate, often with a digital certificate
- The audio-video recording is stored for the period the state requires
Where RON is allowed
In the US, Virginia passed the first RON law in 2011. Many states adopted temporary rules during 2020 and most have since passed permanent laws, though the details differ, for example on which notaries may perform it and how long recordings are kept. Whether another state will accept a remotely notarised document is a separate question.
Outside the US, approaches vary widely. Some civil law countries have their own remote notarial procedures; others require the signer to appear in person. Check the rules where the document will be used.
RON versus e-signature
An e-signature confirms a person agreed to a document, backed by evidence such as an email code and IP address. RON adds what notarisation adds: a commissioned public official verifying identity in real time, with a recording. Most contracts do not need that. Documents such as some real estate closings, affidavits and powers of attorney do.
Sign PDF and RON
Sign PDF does not provide remote online notarisation, ID verification or video recording. We are an e-signature service. If your document must be notarised, use a RON platform with commissioned notaries, or a notary in person. This is not legal advice.
Questions people ask
Is remote online notarisation legal in every US state?
Most states now have permanent RON laws, but not all on the same terms, and the list changes. Check your state's Secretary of State website.
What ID do I need for RON?
Usually a government-issued photo ID, which is analysed electronically, plus knowledge-based questions drawn from public records. Exact requirements depend on the state.
Is RON the same as remote ink notarisation?
No. Remote ink notarisation, allowed in some states, uses video but the signer signs on paper and posts it to the notary. RON is fully electronic.
Can Sign PDF be used for notarised documents?
No. Sign PDF does not provide notarisation. Use a notary or a RON provider for those documents.
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