Remote online notarization (RON) lets you sign and notarize a will, power of attorney, or health care directive over a live video call instead of sitting across a desk from a notary. Most states now permit it for at least some estate planning documents, and the session is recorded, encrypted, and backed by identity verification. It is convenient, and for most people, it is legal.
A notary public is a person commissioned by the state to witness signatures, verify a signer's identity, and confirm the signer understood what they were signing. When a document carries a notary's seal, courts treat it as authentic on its face. The National Notary Association reports that roughly 30 percent of notaries have faced pressure to bend the rules, which is part of why the verification and video-recording built into remote notarization exists in the first place.
Start your online will with FastWill, then finish the signing and notarization step without leaving your house.
What Remote Online Notarization Actually Is
Remote notary services, also called online notarization or RON, allow a commissioned notary to witness your signature over a secure video platform rather than in person. The notary verifies your identity through government-issued ID and knowledge-based questions, watches you sign in real time, and applies an electronic seal. The session is recorded, which creates a durable record of exactly what happened.
This is different from simply emailing a scanned document. RON platforms use credential analysis, video recording, and tamper-evident electronic seals specifically so a court can trust the result the same way it would trust an in-person notarization.
When Remote Notary Services Make the Most Sense
- Geographic distance: If you live in a rural area or the people involved in a document are spread across different states, RON removes the need to coordinate a shared physical location.
- Limited mobility: Older adults and people with disabilities can complete notarization from home rather than arranging transportation to an office.
- Time constraints: Busy schedules make it hard to find an hour during business hours. RON sessions can usually be booked in the evening or on weekends.
- Medical urgency: Before a scheduled surgery or procedure, documents like a health care proxy or medical power of attorney can be notarized quickly, giving you peace of mind before you go under anesthesia.
- Health and safety crises: During public health emergencies, RON avoids unnecessary in-person contact.
- Natural disasters: After a hurricane or flood, local notary offices may be closed for weeks. Remote notarization keeps time-sensitive paperwork, including insurance claims, moving.
Is Remote Notarization Secure?
Some people assume paper and an in-person signature are inherently safer, but automated systems are actually good at catching errors that slip through on paper. If you miss a signature line on a printed will, you may have to reprint the entire document and start over. RON software flags incomplete fields before the session ends.
Fraud protection is also part of the design. Remote notary providers use identity verification tools that can catch a fraudulent ID more reliably than a person can in a quick office visit. Because the session is recorded, if a family member later claims a signer was confused, coerced, or not who they said they were, the video exists as evidence. That is a meaningful protection in a will contest, which almost always happens after the person who signed the document has died and cannot explain what happened in the room.
Remote Notarization and Self-Proving Wills
Many states let you attach a self-proving affidavit to your will: a sworn, notarized statement from your witnesses confirming they watched you sign and believed you were of sound mind. According to Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute, a self-proving affidavit lets a will move through probate without requiring your witnesses to appear in court and testify, which can otherwise take months if a witness has moved, become ill, or died. Remote notarization is one practical way to get that affidavit signed and sealed without scheduling an in-person appointment for everyone involved. For a full walkthrough of the notarization process itself, see our guide on how to notarize your will and trust.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming every state treats remote notarization of a will the same way trusts, powers of attorney, or real estate deeds are treated. Rules vary, so confirm your state permits RON for the specific document before you rely on it.
- Using a platform that does not retain the video recording. If your notarization is ever challenged, that recording is your best evidence.
- Skipping witness requirements. Notarization and witnessing are not the same thing, and most states still require witnesses to a will in addition to any notary seal.
- Waiting until a medical emergency to notarize a health care directive, instead of handling it while you can plan calmly.
How FastWill Handles This
With FastWill, you can build your entire estate plan online, then electronically sign, notarize, store, and update your documents by connecting directly with a remote online notary. You never have to print a stack of paper or drive across town to finish the job. If you decide later that you also want a trust, FastWill's trust package uses the same online workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to notarize a will online?
In most states, yes. A majority of states have passed remote online notarization laws that permit RON for wills and other estate planning documents, though a handful of states still restrict it or require additional formalities. Check your state's current rules before you rely on RON alone to finalize your will.
Does notarizing my will make it self-proving?
Not by itself. Notarization confirms your identity and signature. A self-proving will requires a separate affidavit, signed by you and your witnesses and notarized, that specifically attests the will was properly executed.
Do I still need witnesses if I use a remote notary?
Almost always, yes. Most states require two witnesses to a will regardless of notarization. Some remote notary platforms can host witnesses on the same video call.
What happens if the internet connection drops during my session?
Reputable RON platforms pause and resume the session rather than invalidating it, and the recording documents any interruption. Choose a platform built specifically for legal document notarization rather than a generic video call.
Can a remote notary help with a power of attorney too?
Yes. Powers of attorney, health care proxies, and other estate planning documents commonly go through the same remote notarization process as a will, subject to your state's specific rules.
