Remote Online Notarization: The Complete Guide
How Remote Online Notarization works in Virginia, what it costs, and why it's the fastest way to notarize a document from anywhere.
Remote Online Notarization, usually shortened to RON, is exactly what the name says: notarization done fully online, over live video, with a commissioned notary. Virginia was one of the first states in the country to authorize it, and today thousands of documents are notarized this way every month in the Commonwealth.
How RON works, start to finish
A RON session has four phases:
- Identity proofing. You provide your government-issued ID, which is authenticated by the RON platform, and then answer knowledge-based questions generated from public records (things like which of these four streets have you lived on).
- Live video session. You and the notary meet on a secure video call. The notary confirms your identity visually, confirms you are aware and willing to sign, and walks you through the document.
- Electronic signature. You sign the document electronically. The notary applies an electronic seal and signature, and the platform generates an audit trail with time stamps.
- Tamper-evident PDF. You receive the finished, notarized PDF immediately. If anyone modifies it later, the tamper-evident certificate breaks, one of the reasons RON is often considered more secure than in-person notarization.
Is a RON document legally valid?
In Virginia, absolutely. Under Virginia Code § 47.1-2 and related regulations, a properly performed RON has the same legal effect as an in-person notarization. Most other states either recognize RON directly or accept a properly performed Virginia RON as valid under interstate recognition principles.
The real question is not 'is RON valid?' but 'will the receiving party accept it?' A title company in Georgia, a court in New York, or a foreign consulate might each have their own policies. A good notary will help you confirm before you book.
When RON is the right choice
RON shines when you or a signer is:
- Out of state or out of the country
- Deployed with the military
- Unable to leave home
- Simply short on time
It is also perfect for multi-party signings where the parties are in different places, you can bring in a spouse from a business trip, a co-signer from another city, and witnesses from anywhere.
When RON is NOT the right choice
A few situations still call for in-person notarization:
- Documents going to a receiving party that refuses RON (some banks and some foreign governments)
- Signers with severe vision or hearing impairments that make video difficult
- Cases where a witness must be physically present with the signer
- Signers without a working camera and microphone
If you're not sure, ask before booking. We're happy to check.
What RON costs
Virginia allows a slightly higher notarial fee for RON than for in-person acts, plus a small platform charge. The total is usually still less than the round-trip drive to a bank branch, and dramatically less than an in-person mobile appointment.
How to prepare for a RON session
Come to the session with:
- A working camera and microphone (laptop or phone)
- Stable internet
- A valid, current, government-issued photo ID
- Your unsigned document, ideally sent to us ahead of time
- Quiet space where you can focus for 10–15 minutes
Ready when you are
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