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RON FAQ for Notaries

What is Remote Online Notarization (RON)? 

Remote Online Notarization (RON) is the use of audio/visual technology to complete a notarial act when the signer and the notary are not in the same physical location. 

 

How do I become RON commissioned? 

Each state may have its own technology standards and training requirements for notaries interested in becoming RON commissioned. Please check with your state's commissioning authority for more information. Below are the general steps you must take in order to become a remote online notary: 

  1. Make sure you meet your state’s qualifications. In some states, you must be commissioned as a traditional Notary Public before applying to become a remote online notary. 
  2. Register with your state’s commissioning authority to perform RONs. 
  3. Check with your state to see if any additional testing or educational courses are required.
  4. Obtain the necessary remote online notary tools required by your state (electronic seal, electronic signature, electronic journal, digital certificate or RON technology platform provider). 
  5. Check with your state to see if an additional surety bond or E&O insurance policy is required to cover remote online notarizations. 

 

Is there anything else I need to do in order to be eligible to perform webcam signings/RON? 

In addition to getting RON commissioned through your state, you may also need to get certified or create an account with a webcam technology provider. Each state may have their own technology standards, so we recommend checking with your state before getting certified through a technology provider. 

Snapdocs currently supports the ability to add the following webcam technology provider certifications to your account. You can learn more about how to get certified through these providers below: 

*Snapdocs will be partnering with Nexsys. They are our preferred webcam technology provider for remote online notaries. 

 

Which states have implemented RON? 

Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, many states are shifting their implementation timeframes as related to RON. These resources are to serve as a reference and will be updated as regularly as possible. 

States where legislation has been adopted and implementation is complete: 

  • Florida (HB 409 signed into law 6/7/19; effective 1/1/2020) - learn more about how to become a remote online notary in the state of Florida here. 
  • Idaho (SB 1111 signed into law 3/21/19; effective 1/1/2020) -  learn more about how to become a remote online notary in the state of Idaho here.
  • Kentucky (SB 114 signed into law 3/25/19; effective 1/1/2020)- learn more about how to become a remote online notary in the state of Kentucky here. 
  • Michigan (HB 5811 signed into law 6/28/18; effective 3/30/19) - learn more about how to become a remote online notary in the state of Michigan here.
  • Minnesota (SF 893 signed into law 5/20/18; effective 1/1/19) - learn more about how to become a remote online notary in the state of Minnesota here.
  • Montana (HB 370 signed into law on 4/3/19; effective 10/1/19) - learn more about how to become a remote online notary in the state of Montana here. 
  • Nevada (A. 413 signed into law 6/9/17; effective 7/1/18) - learn more about how to become a remote online notary in the state of Nevada here.
  • North Dakota (HB 1110 signed into law 03/12/19) - learn more about how to become a remote online notary in the state of North Dakota here.
  • Ohio (SB 263 signed into law 12/13/19; effective 9/19/19) - learn more about how to become a remote online notary in the state of Ohio here. 
  • Oklahoma (SB 915 signed into law 5/9/19; effective 1/1/2020) - learn more about how to become a remote online notary in the state of Oklahoma here. 
  • South Dakota (HB 1272 signed into law 3/18/19; effective 7/1/19) - currently limited to paper documents only and signers may only be identified through the notary's personal knowledge. learn more about how to become a remote online notary in the state of South Dakota here.
  • Tennessee (SB 1758 signed into law 5/15/18; effective 7/1/19) - learn more about how to become a remote online notary in the state of Tennessee here. 
  • Texas (HB 1217 signed into law 6/1/17; effective 7/1/18) - learn more about how to become a remote online notary in the state of Texas here. 
  • Utah (HB 52 signed into law 3/25/19; effective 11/1/19) - learn more about how to become a remote online notary in the state of Utah here. 
  • Virginia (adopted in 2011) - learn more about how to become remote online notary in the state of Virginia here. 

States where legislation has been enacted and implementation is pending: 

  • Indiana (SB 372 signed into law 3/13/18; effective 7/1/20) - monitor implementation updates here.

States with executive orders/ emergency proclamations: 

  • Alabama (3/26/20)- Effective through duration of emergency declaration. Applies to attorneys or notaries under the supervision of an attorney- monitor implementation updates here. 
  • Arizona (SB 1030 signed into law 4/10/19; effective 7/1/20)- Authorized under Emergency Executive Order (4/8/20)- monitor implementation updates here.
  • Arkansas (3/30/20)- Effective through the duration of emergency declaration. Applies to attorneys, title agents (or notaries under their supervision) and notaries employed by financial institutions- monitor implementation updates here.
  • Colorado (3/27/20)- Effective through 4/26/20, at discretion of the Governor - monitor implementation updates here.
  • Connecticut (03/23/20)- Effective through 6/23/20 unless modified, extended or terminated by the Governor- monitor implementation updates here.
  • Delaware (4/15/20)- Temporarily authorized under Emergency Executive Order through duration of emergency declaration- monitor implementation updates here.
  • Georgia (3/31/20)- Effective through duration of emergency order- monitor implementation updates here. 
  • Iowa (SF 475 signed into law 4/29/19; effective 7/1/20)- Authorizes remote notarization (for county real property filings). Temporarily authorized under Emergency Proclamation (03/22/20)- learn more about how to become a remote online notary in the state of Iowa here.
  • Kansas (4/9/20)- Temporarily authorized under Emergency Executive Order through 5/1/20- monitor implementation updates here.
  • Illinois (3/26/20)- Effective through the period of Disaster Proclamation, or at Governor’s discretion- monitor implementation updates here.
  • Louisiana (3/26/20)- Effective through duration of emergency order- monitor implementation updates here. 
  • Maine (4/8/20)- Temporarily authorized under Emergency Executive Order through the duration of the emergency declaration and for 30 days after- monitor implementation updates here.
  • Maryland (SB 678 signed into law 5/13/19; effective 10/1/2020)  Temporarily authorized under Emergency Executive Order (03/30/20)- monitor implementation updates here. 
  • Massachusetts (4/27/20)- Temporarily authorized under Emergency Law through the duration of emergency- monitor implementation updates here.
  • Mississippi (4/6/20)- Temporarily authorized under Emergency Executive Order through the duration of the emergency order and for 14 days after- monitor implementation updates here.
  • Missouri (4/6/20)- Temporarily authorized through 5/15/20 under Emergency Executive Order- monitor implementation updates here.
  • New Hampshire (03/23/20)- Emergency Order temporarily authorizing remote notarization - monitor implementation updates here.
  • Nebraska (LB 186 signed into law on 5/30/19; effective 7/1/2020) - Authorized under Emergency Executive Order on 4/1/20- monitor implementation updates here.
  • New Jersey (4/14/20)- Effective through the duration of emergency under law authorizing remote notarization- monitor implementation updates here.
  • New Mexico (3/30/20)- Effective immediately and through 6/20/20- monitor implementation updates here. 
  • New York (3/19/20)- Effective immediately and through 4/18/20 at the Discretion of the Governor. Emergency Order temporarily authorizing audio/video technology for notarization - monitor implementation updates here.
  • North Carolina (5/4/20)- Temporarily authorized under law through 8/1/20- monitor implementation updates here.
  • Pennsylvania (3/25/20)- Effective immediately and at the discretion of the Governor - monitor implementation updates here. 
  • Rhode Island (4/3/20)- Temporarily authorized by Governor and Secretary of State through duration of emergency - monitor implementation updates here. 
  • Vermont (H 526 signed into law 5/22/18; effective 7/1/19)- Temporarily authorized under emergency administrative rules permitting signers and notaries to satisfy the personal appearance requirement via a secure communication link. The emergency rules only apply to paper documents and do not permit electronic notarization or remote online notarization of electronic documents- monitor implementation updates here. 
  • Washington (SB 56 signed into law 4/26/19; effective 10/1/20). Temporarily authorized under Emergency Proclamation on 3/27/20, effective through 4/26/20 or at Governor’s discretion - monitor implementation updates here.
  • West Virginia (3/25/20)- Effective through duration of emergency- monitor implementation updates here. 
  • Wisconsin (AB 293 Signed into law 3/3/19; effective 5/2/20)- Temporarily authorized under Emergency Proclamation- monitor implementation updates here.
  • Wyoming (03/24/20)- Effective immediately through July 1, 2020 or at the discretion of the Governor. Guidance on temporary remote notarization- monitor implementation updates here. 

Updates related to introduced and pending RON legislative and Executive Orders can be monitored via the following resources:

 

How can I show companies on Snapdocs that I am RON commissioned? 

If you’d like to show companies on Snapdocs that you are RON commissioned, you can search for RON via the “Language” field in the “My Profile” page of your account. From there, select the language that corresponds with the webcam technology provider you have an account with. 

Additionally, if you have any certification that provides proof that you are RON commissioned, you should upload it as an “Additional Credential” to the Credentials page in your account. You can find detailed instructions on how to do both here. 

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