Can I get a document notarized online in South Carolina?

South Carolina allows e-notarization, but only in person

The South Carolina Electronic Notary Public Act, signed May 18, 2021, lets a commissioned notary register as an electronic notary and notarize electronic records with an electronic seal and signature.²³ The Secretary of State is explicit about the limit: "Electronic notarization differs from remote notarization in that electronic notarization requires the notary to be in the physical presence of the signer. At this time, South Carolina has not legalized remote notarization."¹

A separate Remote Online Notarization Act (S. 486) passed the Senate in 2019 and was referred to the House Judiciary Committee; it was not enacted.⁴ The National Notary Association lists South Carolina as "RON not yet enacted into law".⁹

Can you still get notarized online from South Carolina?

Usually yes, by using an online notary commissioned in a state that allows RON. What matters legally is the notary's commission state and where the notary sits, not where you are: Texas law lets a Texas online notary notarize "regardless of whether the principal is physically located in this state", and Florida's law says the same for Florida online notaries.⁶⁷ Platforms such as BlueNotary, Notarize, OneNotary and NotaryLive route you to notaries commissioned in states like these.

One extra caveat for South Carolina: Proof's summary says South Carolina "recognizes notarial acts performed by notaries of other states, but does not currently authorize or recognize remote online notarizations" (S.C. Code § 26-3-20).⁵ We haven't found a South Carolina rule that either confirms or rejects out-of-state RON, so confirm acceptance with the recipient before you book, especially for anything filed with a South Carolina office.

The person receiving your document still decides. A bank, court, agency or county office can insist on a particular kind of notarization, so ask them first.⁸

Compare full prices, ID rules and limits on the comparison table, or see the cheapest option for your situation.

When an online notarization may not work in South Carolina

• Real estate. South Carolina deeds are recorded by the county Register of Deeds (or Clerk of Court), which decides what it will record, and closings are attorney-supervised. Ask the closing attorney or the recording office first.
• Anything filed with a South Carolina court or agency. Given the recognition question above, ask the office whether it accepts an out-of-state online notarization.
• Recipient rules. Lenders, title companies, courts and government offices can refuse an out-of-state online notarization or ask for a wet-ink original. Ask before you book.⁸
• No physical ID or no US credit history. Most platforms verify you with a live scan of a government photo ID plus a credit-based quiz. See getting notarized online without an SSN.