OnlineNotaryGuide

Online notarization in states without a working RON law

If your state has no working online notarization law, you can usually still be notarized online: the legality follows the notary's commission state, not yours. These are the eight states where that matters, re-checked against official sources on Oct 31, 2026.

The rule that matters: the notary's commission state

A notarization is performed under the law of the state that commissioned the notary. Texas lets a Texas online notary notarize "regardless of whether the principal is physically located in this state", and Florida's statute says the same for Florida online notaries.12 That's why people in states without RON can still use online services: the notary on the call is commissioned somewhere that allows it.

Two things can still get in the way:

  1. The recipient. A lender, court, agency or county office can insist on something else. Ask first.3
  2. Documents that need in-person or wet-ink signing. Some states exclude specific documents (Connecticut's remote law excludes real estate closings and powers of attorney, for example), and county recorders decide what they'll record.

The eight states, re-checked Oct 31, 2026

StateCan its own notaries do RON?What we foundOut-of-state RON
AlabamaNoRemote acknowledgment over video, but wet-ink signature on paper (Ala. Code § 36-20-73.1)Proof: recognized
CaliforniaNot yetSB 696 operative when the SOS finishes its technology project, by Jan 1, 2030 at the latestGov. Code § 8232.1 gives it effect
ConnecticutNoPaper-based remote notarization only (Public Act 23-28)Not for real estate closings
GeorgiaNoNo RON law; SB 8 failed in the Senate 26-26 on Apr 2, 2026Proof: recognized
MassachusettsNot yetLaw passed (ch. 222 § 28); training and notification form not availableProof: recognized
MississippiNoE-notarization in person only; HB 1154 (2025) died in committeeProof: recognized (§ 25-34-23)
North CarolinaNot yetREN law passed; no licensed platforms ("Coming Soon")Not explicit (Proof)
South CarolinaNoSOS: "South Carolina has not legalized remote notarization"Proof: not recognized; ask first

"Proof" means Proof.com's state law summary, which we haven't independently verified; each state page cites the statute or agency page behind our own reading. Full rules for every state are on the 50-state table.

Before you book

  • Ask the recipient whether they accept an online notarization from another state.
  • For deeds and other recorded documents, ask the county recording office or your closing attorney.
  • Selling a car? Some DMVs require notarized title signatures; see car title notarization by state.
  • Mail forwarding? USPS lets you notarize Form 1583 online; see Form 1583 notarization by provider.
Sources (3)

  1. Tex. Gov't Code § 406.110(a). ↩

  2. Fla. Stat. § 117.265(1). ↩

  3. Proof Help Center, Will my document be accepted? ↩

Frequently asked questions

Is it legal to use an online notary if my state doesn't allow RON?

Usually yes. The notarization is performed under the law of the notary's commission state. Texas and Florida, for example, let their online notaries notarize for signers located anywhere. Whoever receives the document decides whether to accept it.

Which states don't allow remote online notarization in 2026?

As of Oct 31, 2026: Alabama and Connecticut allow only paper-based remote procedures; Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina have no RON law; California, Massachusetts and North Carolina have passed laws that aren't operating yet.