What Is a Remote Online Notary (RON)?
If you’ve been hearing the term “RON” thrown around and nodding along like you know exactly what it means — I see you. It’s one of those acronyms that’s suddenly everywhere in real estate listings, closing instructions, and law firm emails, and nobody stops to define it.
So let’s define it. RON stands for Remote Online Notary (or Remote Online Notarization, depending on whether you’re talking about the person or the process). It’s the legal ability to get a document notarized entirely online, through live video, instead of sitting across a table from someone with a stamp.
The Short Version
A Remote Online Notary is a notary public who’s specifically commissioned to notarize documents using audio-video technology. You meet over a live video call, the notary verifies your identity, watches you sign electronically, and applies an official electronic seal — all without either of you leaving your house.
In Florida, this isn’t some gray-area workaround. Florida Statutes Chapter 117 formally authorizes it, which means a RON notarization carries the exact same legal weight as one performed in person with pen and paper.
How It’s Different From a “Regular” Notary
Here’s where people get tripped up: a Remote Online Notary isn’t a different type of legal professional. It’s the same notary commission, with an additional certification that allows the notary to perform the act remotely.
| Traditional Notary | Remote Online Notary (RON) | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | In person, same room | Live video, anywhere in Florida |
| Signature | Physical, wet ink | Electronic, on a secure platform |
| ID verification | Visual review of photo ID | ID scan plus knowledge-based verification |
| Record keeping | Paper journal entry | Recorded video session plus digital journal |
| Legal standing | Fully valid | Fully valid, same statute |
The biggest practical difference is simply where you have to be. Everything else — the notary’s responsibility to verify your identity, confirm you understand the document, and witness your signature — stays exactly the same.
Why RON Exists in the First Place
Notarization has always been about one core thing: making sure the person signing a document really is who they claim to be, and that they’re doing it willingly. For most of history, that meant being in the same physical room.
Technology eventually caught up. Secure video, identity verification software, and tamper-evident electronic signatures made it possible to do all of that remotely without cutting any corners. Florida recognized this in 2020, joining a growing list of states that allow RON, and it’s made getting documents notarized dramatically more convenient for anyone who doesn’t have a notary’s office two minutes from their house.
What You Actually Need for a RON Session
Fewer things than you’d expect:
- A device with a camera — a laptop, tablet, or smartphone all work fine
- A stable internet connection — video calls are unforgiving of spotty Wi-Fi
- A valid, government-issued photo ID for the identity verification step
- The unsigned document, uploaded ahead of time so it’s ready to go
That’s the whole list. No printer, no scanner, no trip to the store for a specific kind of pen.
The Platform Behind the Process
RON doesn’t work through just any video call — it requires a secure, purpose-built platform that handles identity verification, session recording, and electronic sealing all in one place. Easy Day Notary uses BlueNotary for Remote Online Notary sessions, largely because it keeps the whole process simple on the client side — you’re not wrestling with software, you’re just signing a document with someone watching over video, the way it’s supposed to feel.
When to Choose RON Over a Mobile Visit
RON is usually the better call when:
- You want the fastest possible turnaround
- You’re comfortable with basic video calls
- Your document doesn’t require an in-person wet signature by policy
- You’d rather not pay a travel fee
A mobile notary visit still makes more sense for certain real estate closings, hospital visits, or anyone who’d simply rather have a notary standing in the room. Neither option is “better” across the board — it depends on your document and your preference.
Wrapping It Up
A Remote Online Notary is exactly what it sounds like: a real, fully commissioned notary, doing real notarial work, just over video instead of in person. It’s not a shortcut or a loophole — it’s a modern, legal, and honestly pretty painless way to get your documents signed. If you’ve got something that needs notarizing, contact us and we’ll figure out whether RON or a mobile visit is the better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Remote Online Notary the same as a regular notary?
Yes, with one difference: where they perform the notarization. A RON notary is commissioned to do it over live video instead of in person, but they hold the same notary commission and follow the same underlying Florida notary law.
Can any notary offer RON services?
No — a notary needs a separate RON commission and an approved online platform to legally perform remote notarizations in Florida. Ask before assuming your regular notary offers it.
Is RON more expensive than an in-person notary?
Not usually. RON pricing follows the same fee caps set by Florida law, and since there's no travel involved, it often ends up costing less than a mobile visit.
What's the difference between RON and e-signature tools like DocuSign?
E-signature tools let you sign a document electronically, but they don't involve identity verification or a commissioned notary witnessing the signing. RON does both, which is what makes it legally equivalent to a traditional notarization.