Remote online notarization lets you have your will notarized over a live video call instead of visiting an office in person, using identity verification, a recorded session, and an electronic seal. Most states now permit it, but rules vary, so confirm your state allows remote notarization of estate documents before you rely on it.
Notarization traditionally required standing in front of a notary public in person. According to the National Notary Association, remote online notarization instead uses audio-video technology, identity verification, and electronic recordkeeping to complete a legally binding notarization without anyone physically present in the same room, and its use grew sharply during the pandemic as more states adopted enabling legislation. Here is what the actual process looks like if you use it for your will.
1. Identity Verification Comes First
Before anything gets notarized, you will need to verify your identity, typically through government-issued identification, security questions, and sometimes facial recognition technology. Have your ID ready and expect this step to take a few minutes before the actual signing begins.
2. The Video Conference Itself
The core of the process is a live video call with a commissioned remote notary. You present your identification and the documents needing notarization, the notary witnesses you signing, and they apply their electronic seal and signature. Expect a secure, private video environment, typically hosted on a platform built specifically for this purpose rather than a generic video call app.
3. Document Preparation Matters
Have your documents ready and in the correct format before the call starts. You will typically share them electronically with the notary, either through the platform directly or by secure upload, so confirm the format requirements in advance rather than discovering an issue mid-session.
4. Recordkeeping Is More Thorough Than In-Person Notarization
Remote notaries are required to keep records of each notarization, similar to traditional notaries, but usually including a recording of the video session itself along with copies of the signed documents. This recordkeeping actually strengthens the evidentiary value of the notarization if the will is ever challenged, since there is a video record of the signing, not just a signature and a stamp.
5. Fees Vary by Provider
Remote notary services charge for their services, with costs depending on the provider and the complexity of the documents involved. Confirm the fee upfront, and ask whether it is a flat rate or scales with the number of documents you need notarized.
6. Confirm Your State Actually Allows It
Not every state has adopted remote online notarization. According to the National Association of Secretaries of State, most states have now enacted some form of remote notarization legislation since Virginia became the first to authorize it in 2011, but among states that have adopted it, some restrict it to certain document types or require additional safeguards for wills specifically. Before relying on remote notarization for your will, confirm your state permits it for estate planning documents, not just general contracts, since the rules are not always identical across document types.
7. Keep Your Copies
After the session, you should receive a copy of the notarized document with the notary's electronic seal and signature. Store it with the rest of your estate planning documents, and confirm your witnesses, if your state requires them for a will, also received or retained appropriate copies.
8. Not Every Institution Accepts Remote Notarization Yet
While remote notarization is increasingly accepted, some institutions and courts may still be unfamiliar with it or hesitant to rely on it for high-stakes documents like a will. If you anticipate your will being closely scrutinized, for instance in a family with a history of disputes, factor that into your decision about whether remote or in-person notarization better serves you.
Why Remote Notarization Appeals to Estate Planning Specifically
Wills often get delayed for reasons that have nothing to do with the document itself: scheduling an in-person notary appointment, coordinating witnesses, or simply finding the time. Remote notarization removes a real barrier for people with mobility limitations, demanding schedules, or no easy access to a traditional notary's office nearby. For a document that only works once it is actually signed and executed, reducing friction in the signing process has genuine value, not just convenience for its own sake.
Security and Privacy Protections
Remote notary platforms are built around encrypted, secure communication channels and follow specific privacy protocols designed to protect sensitive identity and financial information exchanged during the session. Before choosing a provider, confirm they follow industry-standard security practices, since you are sharing government identification and signing a legally significant document over the connection.
How FastWill Uses Remote Notarization
FastWill works with a remote notary provider to help you notarize your will and other estate documents through a secure video call once you complete your will, with notaries who understand the specific legal requirements for wills in your jurisdiction rather than treating every document the same. For more on the requirements for notarizing estate documents generally, see our guide to notarizing your will and trust, and our overview of the advantages of remote notary services for a closer look at why more people are choosing this option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to notarize a will remotely?
In most states, yes, as long as your state has adopted remote online notarization legislation covering estate planning documents specifically. Confirm your state's current rules before relying on it.
Do I still need witnesses if I notarize my will remotely?
Often yes. Notarization and witnessing are separate legal requirements in many states, and a self-proving affidavit typically still needs both witnesses and a notary, whether in person or remote.
How long does remote notarization take?
Usually less time than scheduling and traveling to an in-person appointment, though the exact length depends on document complexity and the platform's identity verification process.
What if my state does not allow remote notarization?
You will need traditional in-person notarization instead. Confirm your state's current status before assuming remote notarization is available to you.
Is a remote notarization as legally strong as an in-person one?
In states that authorize it, yes, and the recorded video session can actually provide stronger evidence of a valid signing than a traditional in-person notarization typically leaves behind.
Ready to finish your will without leaving home? Complete your will with FastWill and notarize it through our secure remote notary process.
