U.S. · notary reference
Remote online notarization by state.
Where RON is authorized in seven states, what the notary must do on the call, and the one big state where it is not yet available.
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The table
| State | Status | What the statute requires | Fee cap | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Not yet available. The Online Notarization Act (SB 696, 2023) is operative in stages; the appointment and duty provisions for remote notarization take effect when the Secretary of State completes Notary Automation Project 2.0 or on January 1, 2030, whichever is earlier. | None yet | Handbook (Jan. 2026); Gov. Code 8231.18 | |
| Florida | Authorized. Register as an online notary with the Department of State, hold a $25,000 bond and at least $25,000 of E&O, use a RON service provider, record the audio-video session and keep an electronic journal. | $25 per online act | Fla. Stat. 117.201 to 117.305 | |
| Illinois | Authorized through an electronic notary commission. Two-way real-time audio-video; identity by personal knowledge, or by remote presentation of a government ID plus credential analysis and a dynamic knowledge-based assessment; recording kept at least 7 years; $25,000 bond. | Up to $25 per electronic act | 5 ILCS 312/6A-103, 6A-104, 2-105(b), 3-104(b) | |
| Oregon | Authorized. Notary located in Oregon; communication technology with sight and sound; identity by personal knowledge, a credible witness, or two types of identity proofing; audiovisual recording of the act. | $25 per act | ORS 194.277, 194.400(1) | |
| Pennsylvania | Authorized. Notary located in Pennsylvania; same three identity routes; audio-visual recording of the whole interaction; the certificate must say the act used communication technology. | Up to $20 added to the base fee | 57 Pa.C.S. 306.1; 4 Pa. Code 167.3 | |
| Virginia | Authorized. The Code defines remote online notarization as an electronic notarization where the signer is not in the notary's physical presence; the certificate must show whether the act was in person or remote; an electronic notary keeps a copy of any video-conference recording used to establish identity. | Up to $25 for acts on electronic documents | Va. Code 47.1-2, 47.1-14(C), 47.1-16(A), 47.1-19(B) | |
| Washington | Authorized to a commissioned electronic records notary public. Communication technology; identity by personal knowledge, a credible witness or two types of identity proofing; audiovisual recording; the certificate must say communication technology was used. A revised section takes effect January 1, 2027. | $25 per remote act | RCW 42.45.280; WAC 308-30-220 |
The map in one paragraph
Six of the seven states here authorize remote online notarization (RON) by statute today: Florida, Illinois, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington. California is the exception, and it is the largest state, so the answer to "can I notarize remotely in California?" is currently no. The Secretary of State's January 2026 handbook says the Online Notarization Act became effective January 1, 2024 but is "operative in stages," with the security rules in Government Code 8231.18 operative January 1, 2025 and the rest waiting for the state's automation project or January 1, 2030, whichever is earlier.
What every RON statute asks the notary to do
The three states built on the uniform act (Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington) read almost the same. A notary physically located in the state may notarize for a remotely located individual using communication technology if the notary (a) knows the person, or (b) has a credible witness, or (c) has used at least two different types of identity proofing; can confirm the record before the notary is the one the person is signing; and creates an audiovisual recording of the act. If the signer is outside the United States, the record must relate to a U.S. matter, and the act must not be barred by the foreign state's law. Florida and Illinois add their own layers: Florida a registered online notary, a $25,000 bond, E&O insurance and a RON service provider, and Illinois a separate electronic notary commission, a $25,000 bond and a recording kept at least seven years (6A-104(d)).
Worked example: a seller abroad signing a Pennsylvania deed (hypothetical)
A seller living in another country signs a deed for a Pennsylvania property. Under 306.1 a notary located in Pennsylvania may take the acknowledgment remotely, because the record "involves property located in the territorial jurisdiction of the United States," provided the notary identifies the seller by one of the three routes, records the whole session, and the certificate says it was done by communication technology. The notary may charge the base acknowledgment fee ($5) plus up to $20 for the remote act. If the same seller were selling California property and wanted a California notary, remote notarization would not be available yet, and the seller would need to appear in person or use another lawful route.
Edge cases
- Where the notary sits matters, not the signer. Oregon and Pennsylvania require the notary to be located in the state; the signer can be elsewhere.
- Washington is changing. The chapter shows RCW 42.45.280 in two versions, one "effective until January 1, 2027" and one effective that date, so a guide that predates the change may be stale.
- Virginia's fee rule is about electronic documents. The $25 cap in 47.1-19(B) applies to acts on electronic documents, which includes but is not limited to remote acts.
- Platform charges are separate. Florida says fees for a RON service provider's services are not governed by the notary fee cap.
Who this is for
Notaries deciding whether to register for RON, signers choosing between a remote and an in-person closing, and anyone checking whether a state allows what a platform is offering.
What this does not cover
Only these seven states; the others are not covered. Whether a given receiving party, recorder or court accepts a remotely notarized document is a separate question. This page does not cover acknowledgment forms by state or apostilles and other authentication of a document for use abroad, and it is general information, not legal advice.
FAQ
Is remote online notarization legal in California?
Not yet. California's Online Notarization Act was signed in 2023 and is operative in stages. Remote notarization itself becomes available when the Secretary of State completes its automation project or on January 1, 2030, whichever is earlier, according to the January 2026 handbook.
Which of these states allow remote online notarization?
Florida, Illinois, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington authorize it by statute. California does not yet.
What can a notary charge for remote notarization?
Up to $25 per act in Florida, Illinois, Oregon and Washington. Pennsylvania lets a remote notary add up to $20 to the base fee. Virginia allows up to $25 for acts on electronic documents.
Does the notary have to record a remote notarization?
Yes in Florida, Illinois, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington, where the statute requires an audio or audiovisual recording. Illinois requires the recording to be kept at least seven years, and Florida requires journals and recordings to be kept at least 10 years.
How is the signer's identity checked on a remote call?
By the notary's personal knowledge, a credible witness, or at least two different types of identity proofing in Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington. Illinois requires a government ID, credential analysis and a dynamic knowledge-based assessment unless the notary knows the person.
Does the notary have to be in the same state as the signer?
No. The notary must be physically in the state of the commission (Oregon, Pennsylvania), and the signer may be elsewhere, with extra conditions if the signer is outside the United States.
Does a remote notarization have to be labelled?
Yes. Pennsylvania and Washington require the certificate to state that communication technology was used, and Virginia requires it to say whether the act was in person or by remote online notarization.
Sources
Retrieved 2026-10-20. Each link was opened and the figure next to it was checked against the text.
- California Secretary of State: Notary Public Handbook (January 2026), reprinting Government Code sections 8200 to 8230
- Florida Statutes (2025), chapter 117, Notaries Public
- 5 ILCS 312/6A-103, electronic notarial acts
- 5 ILCS 312/6A-104, audio-video communication requirements
- 5 ILCS 312/2-105, bond
- 5 ILCS 312/3-104, maximum fee
- Oregon Revised Statutes chapter 194, Notaries Public
- 57 Pa.C.S. chapter 3, Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts
- Pennsylvania Department of State: Notary Public Fees
- Code of Virginia, Title 47.1, Virginia Notary Act
- Revised Code of Washington chapter 42.45, Uniform Law on Notarial Acts
- Washington Administrative Code chapter 308-30, Notaries Public
Not legal advice
This page is general information, not legal advice. Statutes, rules and fees change, and your facts may differ. Confirm anything that matters with your state's commissioning office or a lawyer before you act. Nothing you pick on this page is sent anywhere.