How to Get a PDF Notarized Online

Getting a document notarized used to mean scheduling an appointment, finding a notary, and appearing in person with a government-issued ID. Remote online notarization (RON) changed that. With RON, a commissioned notary meets you via video call, verifies your identity using credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication questions, witnesses your signature on screen, and applies their digital notary seal to the document — all without either party leaving their location. The result is a legally notarized PDF that most institutions accept exactly as they would a traditionally notarized paper document.

How Remote Online Notarization Works

The process begins when you upload your document to a RON platform and create an appointment — either scheduled or on-demand, depending on the service. Leading platforms include Notarize (now part of Proof), DocVerify, NotaryCam, and Nexis. Most offer on-demand sessions with wait times under fifteen minutes during business hours.

When the session begins, you connect via video call with a commissioned notary. The notary first verifies your identity through two steps: credential analysis (you hold your driver's license or passport to the camera and the system checks it against database records) and knowledge-based authentication (KBA), which asks you to answer questions based on your credit file or public records — questions like which of these addresses have you lived at, or which car did you own in a specific year. This two-layer identity check is more rigorous than what a traditional in-person notary typically performs.

Once identity is verified, the notary asks you to review the document on screen and confirms you are signing voluntarily. You apply your e-signature, and the notary applies their digital seal and commission certificate. The entire signing session is recorded and stored as part of the notarization record. You receive the notarized PDF by email or direct download, typically within minutes of completing the session.

Which States Allow Remote Online Notarization

As of 2026, the majority of U.S. states have enacted RON legislation. Virginia was the first in 2012, and adoption accelerated significantly in 2020. States including Florida, Texas, Ohio, Michigan, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and most others now permit RON. A small number of states still only allow in-person notarization for certain document categories, and some require the notary to be commissioned in that specific state even for RON sessions.

The practical impact of state law on RON is more nuanced than a simple allow-or-prohibit list. Even in states without their own RON statute, most permit recognition of notarizations performed in states where RON is legal — so a notarization performed by a Virginia-commissioned notary via an online session can often be accepted in states that have not yet passed their own RON law. Whether the receiving institution — a court, a bank, a county recorder's office — will accept it is a separate question. Always confirm with the receiving party before scheduling a RON session for a high-stakes document.

What Documents Can and Cannot Be Notarized Online

Most documents that can be notarized in person can also be notarized via RON. Common examples include affidavits, powers of attorney, loan documents, real estate purchase agreements (in many jurisdictions), vehicle title transfers, and business formation documents. Notarizing these online through a RON platform is legally equivalent to in-person notarization in states that recognize RON.

There are important exceptions. Wills present the most notable limitation — while some states now permit electronic wills with remote notarization, others require an in-person witness and notary presence with the testator. Certain real estate recording jurisdictions may not accept electronically notarized deeds even where RON is otherwise legal. Immigration documents for USCIS generally require wet-ink originals. When in doubt, call the institution that will receive the notarized document and ask specifically whether they accept remotely notarized PDFs.

What It Costs

RON sessions typically cost between $25 and $50 for a standard document, with pricing varying by platform and session complexity. Some platforms charge per notarial act rather than per session, which matters if your document needs multiple notarizations. For comparison, in-person notary fees are regulated by state law and typically range from $5 to $25 per signature, but you also have to account for travel time and scheduling friction.

On-demand sessions — available around the clock from most major platforms — cost somewhat more than scheduled sessions. If your notarization is not time-sensitive, scheduling ahead can reduce the cost. Some platforms offer subscription plans for businesses that notarize frequently, which can significantly reduce the per-document cost.

What You Need to Prepare

Before your session, have a government-issued photo ID ready — a driver's license, state ID, or passport. The credential analysis step requires that it be current, legible, and photographable via your webcam. You also need a stable internet connection and a device with a working camera and microphone. Most smartphones, tablets, and laptop computers work without any special setup.

Upload your document to the platform before the session starts. Some platforms allow you to upload during the session, but doing it ahead of time eliminates a source of friction. Make sure the document is in its final form — unsigned, with signature fields clearly identified — before the session begins. The notary will prompt you to sign in the correct locations during the video call.

RON vs. Simply E-Signing a Document

It is worth being precise about the difference. E-signing a document — using a tool like Sign Any PDF Free — captures your electronic signature and usually generates an audit trail. That is legally sufficient for most contracts and agreements under the ESIGN Act. Notarization is a separate legal act: it certifies that the signer appeared before a commissioned notary, was identified, and signed voluntarily. Not all documents require notarization. Many do not. If a document does not require notarization, a standard e-signature is the faster and cheaper option. Only documents that specifically require a notarized signature — by law, institutional policy, or counterparty requirement — need to go through a RON session.