Remote Online Notarization (RON) or online notary services have quickly become popular throughout the United States. RON gives a signer and a notary public the option to go through the notarization process using audio-visual communication instead of meeting face-to-face. That said not all states have adopted laws that allow RON in full or they may have some restrictions or even temporary authorizations. This is important if you want to get something notarized and are trying to do this online (or, are a notary and conduct remote notarizations).
Below is a rundown on the states either not fully allowing RON (or have some serious restrictions) ,as well as information regarding New York’s state as of early 2025.
States Restrictive or Partially Allowing Remote Online
As of early 2025, a majority of states have passed permanent laws for the purpose of enabling RON or online notaries services.
However, a few states either:
- Have failed to adopt a permanent RON law;
- Only allow for temporary measures (emergency orders) or the limited forms such as remote ink notarization (RIN) or in-person electronic notarization (IPEN); or
- Be silent or undecided in statute/ law.
Here are some of them:
- California
Even though California already passed legislation (SB 696) to implement the RON, in 2023, full implementation will take time. As of the year 2025, not all remote online notarizations are allowed under all circumstances.
- Mississippi
Only temporary/emergency authorizations in some cases; May not authorize full permanent RON yet.
- Georgia
Some remote notarization is permitted by emergency or other temporary provisions but is not required to be full permanent RON authorizations.
- Connecticut
There are RON laws but with limitations sometimes (for example real estate financial transactions) or with certain limitations.
- Others
Some states may only allow RIN (remote ink notarization) as opposed to full RON; some states only have temporary laws. Also the laws of some states may be silent or ambiguous.
So strictly speaking, if by “do not allow remote online notary” you mean states that have no permanent RON law or where there are significant limitations then the list is California (in transition), Mississippi, Georgia and maybe a few others depending on the type of document or county.
What New York Notaries Allow and Not Allow
Should you need to know what is online notary or RON in New York (notary in NY) as far as it is in this state, it is as follows:
- New York has passed a law which made remote online notarization permanent as of January 31st 2023.
- Before then, New York only allowed remote ink notarization or RIN as temporary measures due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, electronic notarization / remote online notarization was permitted (as of Jan 31, 2023); statutes permitting RIN (remote ink-signing of paper documents) have been abolished.
- NY requires notaries, who want to offer remote online notary services (electronic notarizations), to register with the New York Department of State.
- NY law set out particular technology, identity verification, recording and platform requirements in remote online notarizations such as notaries must be in New York when the act is performed, but the signer can be anywhere.
In short thus: In NY, if you need a notary and want to do an online notary / remote online notarization, then it is permitted, although with some rules (and registration).
Why It Matters
- If not entirely permitted by your state, then you may be required to do an in-person meeting with a notary.
- Various types of documents (Notarize-Online Deed, real estate closings etc) have special rules that often exist even in states with RON laws.
- The use of a notary in a state that allows RON for someone in a state that doesn’t can bring the question of validity or acceptance.
- Always refer to the law of your state as it stands for important issues such as what kind of documents are acceptable, how are IDs verified, platform security etc.
As of early 2025, most states across the United States have some type of remote online notarization laws.
Still there are a few states that either do not do permanent law yet, or only allow for restricted/temp forms (for example remote ink notarization, emergency orders).
New York now has the option of remote online notary / electronic notarization as a permanent option with rules in place. If you are in NY, you can use the services of notary online (if the notary is registered for that).
Contact Public Notary Services Today
If you need help:
Check with your state’s remote online notarization law before proceeding. If you are not in the more established states the laws may be changing.
And in New York, should you be in need of a safe online notary service, you will have to be very careful that you employ an online notary that has been registered to engage in electronic notarization as provided in the NY law.
Want the convenience, speed and less hassle? Use a trusted online notary service. Make sure they comply with legal and technology requirements.
