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Remote Online Notarization (RON) is a fully digital notarization process where you and the notary meet over a secure, live video call — no in-person appointment required. The notary verifies your identity, witnesses your signature on screen, and applies a tamper-evident digital seal to your documents, all in one session.

RON is legally authorized in Virginia and Florida, and the resulting notarized documents are accepted throughout the United States and in most countries worldwide.

No — RON is the most advanced and secure notarization method available. Here's how it compares:

• Traditional (in-person): You meet the notary face-to-face, sign with a pen, and the notary applies a physical stamp or seal.
• Electronic notarization (eNotary): Uses digital signatures but still requires the signer and notary to be in the same room.
• RON: Fully remote via live video — no physical presence required. Identity is verified with multi-factor checks, and the session is recorded for compliance purposes.

RON provides a higher standard of fraud protection than traditional notarization because every session is recorded and every identity verification is logged.

Yes. RON is legally authorized under Virginia and Florida state law, and Notary Hero's notaries are commissioned and credentialed to perform RON sessions in both states. Virginia's RON statute was among the first in the nation, and the resulting notarizations are accepted by courts, title companies, financial institutions, and government agencies across the country. It is always important for you to confirm that a RON document will be accepted by the entity requesting the notarization prior to the session-- RON can be denied by parties if they are not equipped or experienced with the notarization medium. We do not provide refunds for any document rejections due to third party acceptance.

For international use, the legal acceptance of a RON notarization depends on the destination country. Many countries — including those in the European Union and Latin America — accept U.S. notarizations. For foreign-use documents, we also facilitate apostille certification to make your documents internationally recognized.

We are currently active in Virginia and Florida, with Texas coming soon. Because RON is performed by the notary's authority (not the signer's location), we can serve signers located anywhere in the world — the key is which state the notary is commissioned in.

If your document specifically requires notarization under a particular state's laws, please mention this when you book so we can match you with the right notary.

You'll need five things to complete a RON session with Notary Hero:

• A government-issued photo ID — U.S. or foreign passport, driver's license, or govenment issued ID. The name and address must match your document.
• A device with a camera and microphone — laptop, desktop, tablet, or smartphone.
• A stable internet connection — a standard broadband or 4G/5G connection is sufficient.
• Your document(s) — uploaded digitally before the session, or we'll send you a link to upload them.
• A valid email address — you'll receive your session invitation link, completed documents and a copy of the session recording here id requested.

We accept the following forms of government-issued photo ID:

• U.S. driver's license or state-issued ID
• U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
• Foreign passport (from any country — must be valid)
• Permanent resident card (green card)

Your ID must be current and not expired. The name on your ID must match the name on the document you're signing. If you've recently changed your name, let us know when booking.

No printing required. Everything is done digitally. You'll upload your document to the NotaryCam platform before the session, sign electronically during the video call, and receive your completed notarized PDF by email immediately after.

The electronic version of the document is an original document, therefore, if printed, it becomes a copy of a document and it is no longer the original. We recommend forwarding the electronic version to the party requesting the document.

Yes. Multiple signers can participate in the same RON session. Each signer will need their own ID and e-mail address, and each must go through individual identity verification before signing.

When booking, let us know the number of signers so we can schedule enough time and ensure all participants receive the session link.

We handle a wide range of document types, including:

• Real estate documents — seller packages, buyer packages, deeds, title transfers, refinance documents
• Powers of Attorney (POA) — general, limited, durable, and medical POAs
• Trust documents — revocable living trusts, trust amendments, trustee certification
• Estate planning — last will & testament, advance directives, healthcare proxies
• Affidavits & declarations — sworn statements, affidavits of heirship, financial affidavits
• Business documents — operating agreements, corporate resolutions, loan agreements
• Personal legal documents — divorce agreements, name change forms, adoption papers, immigration affidavits
• Documents for international use — documents that will be apostilled for use abroad

If you're unsure whether your document qualifies, just reach out — we're happy to advise before you book.

Yes — a small number of document categories cannot be RON-notarized, either by law or due to specific jurisdictional requirements:

• Documents that explicitly require wet (ink) signatures by statute
• Some immigration forms (USCIS has its own requirements)
• Vital records such as birth or death certificates (government-issued, not notarizable)

If your document falls into a restricted category, we'll let you know immediately and suggest alternatives where possible.

After you book your session, we'll send you a secure upload link via email. You'll upload your document(s) as a PDF directly to the NotaryCam platform — no email attachments needed. Everything stays encrypted and private.

If you receive the documents from a third party (e.g., an attorney, title company, or lender), you can forward them to us at [email protected] and we'll handle the upload on your behalf.

In most cases, you'll receive your completed notarized PDF via email within minutes of the session ending. The NotaryCam platform automatically delivers documents once the notary applies the digital seal and closes the session.

For apostille orders, turnaround times vary depending on the destination state and the government processing queue — we'll give you an estimated timeline when you book.

Absolutely. This is one of the most powerful features of RON — your physical location doesn't matter. We regularly serve clients in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. As long as you have a valid ID and a stable internet connection, we can complete your notarization.

International clients often need notarized documents for real estate transactions in the U.S., Powers of Attorney for managing U.S. assets, or documents that will then be apostilled for use in their home country. We handle all of these.

It depends on the country and the document type. Many countries — especially those that are part of the Hague Convention — accept U.S.-notarized documents, particularly when paired with an apostille. The apostille certifies the notary's authority to the foreign government.

Some countries have their own specific requirements (e.g., consular legalization or embassy stamps). If you're unsure what your country requires, we recommend checking with the embassy or the recipient institution first. We're also happy to advise based on our experience with international clients.

Yes. Notary Hero offers Spanish-language sessions to better serve our international and Latin American clients. When you book, simply note that you'd like a bilingual session and we'll schedule accordingly.

Please note: while we can conduct the session in Spanish and answer your questions bilingually, the notarial wording on your documents must remain in English as required by law.

Yes — this is one of our most common use cases. Sellers and buyers who are outside the U.S. at the time of closing can complete the signing entirely remotely through Notary Hero. We coordinate with your title company, attorney, or lender to ensure the documents are properly formatted and ready for remote signing.

Reach out to us early in the closing process so we can communicate directly with the other parties involved and ensure everything goes smoothly on closing day.

An apostille is an internationally recognized certification — a stamp or attachment issued by a government authority — that verifies the authenticity of a U.S. notary's signature for use in foreign countries. It's required when you're sending a notarized U.S. document to a country that is a member of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.

You likely need an apostille if:

• You're submitting a document to a foreign government agency or court
• You're enrolling in a foreign school or university and need credential verification
• You're handling an estate, property, or legal matter in another country
• You're applying for citizenship, residency, or a visa abroad
• A foreign institution or attorney has specifically asked for one

If you're not sure whether you need an apostille, just ask — we're happy to help you figure it out before you book.

We handle the full apostille process for you from start to finish:

• Step 1 — Notarization: We complete your RON session and notarize your document.
• Step 2 — Print & sign: We print the notarized document and the notary applies a physical wet signature and seal (required for state apostille submission).
• Step 3 — Submit to the state: We submit the document to the Florida Secretary of State for apostille certification.
• Step 4 — Delivery: Once the apostille is issued, we ship the completed documents to you — domestically or internationally (for an additional fee).

Over 120 countries are members of the Hague Apostille Convention and accept U.S. apostilles. This includes most of Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, parts of Africa and Asia, and Australia.

Countries that are NOT Hague Convention members (such as some Middle Eastern, African, and Southeast Asian countries) require a more involved process called consular legalization or embassy legalization. This involves additional steps through the U.S. State Department and the target country's embassy.

We recommend confirming your destination country's requirements with the receiving institution before proceeding. We can advise based on what we've seen with our clients.

In most cases, yes — but it depends on the document type. For documents that were already notarized by another notary, we may be able to submit them for apostille on your behalf if the notarization is from Virginia or Florida and the notary's credentials are verifiable by the Secretary of State.

For documents that originated from a government authority (birth certificates, marriage certificates, court documents), apostilles are typically obtained from the issuing authority's state — not through a notary.

Booking is simple. Click the "Book a Session" button on our website, select your preferred date and time from available slots, provide your details, upload your document(s), and confirm your appointment. You'll receive a confirmation email with the NotaryCam session link and any pre-session instructions.

You can also call us at (202) 500-7433 to book over the phone if you prefer.

Notary Hero operates Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST, and closed most federal holidays. We understand that flexibility matters — if you have a time-sensitive closing or special request outside these hours, reach out to us directly and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

We recommend booking at least 24–48 hours in advance to ensure your preferred time slot is available. However, we also accommodate same-day or next-day bookings when possible, especially if the time slots aren't fully booked. For urgent closings or multiple signers, contact us directly at (202) 500-7433 or [email protected].

Yes. You can reschedule your session anytime by logging into your account or calling us. Cancellations within 3 hours of your scheduled time may be subject to a cancellation fee of $75. Please see our Cancellation Policy for full details.

Notary Hero uses NotaryCam, one of the most secure and widely used RON platforms in the industry. NotaryCam is compliant with federal e-notarization standards, state-specific RON requirements, and the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act (URPERA).

No. NotaryCam is web-based, so everything happens in your browser. Simply click the session link from your email, and you'll be taken directly to the video call. No downloads, plugins, or special software required.

Yes. NotaryCam is fully encrypted end-to-end, uses AES-256 encryption for data in transit and at rest, and complies with federal and state e-notarization standards including UETA (Uniform Electronic Transactions Act) and state-specific rules. All session recordings, documents, and identity verification data are securely stored and automatically deleted after a specified retention period.

If you experience connection issues or technical problems during your session, notify your notary immediately. We're equipped to troubleshoot common issues on the spot (camera problems, audio issues, etc.).

Identity verification happens in two ways prior/during your RON session:

• Document verification using biometrics: We will send you a secure link with our website domain (notaryhero.com) where you will be prompted by Persona (third-party software verification tool) to take live images of your valid government issued ID. The proces wil then walk you through taking a "selfie" to compare your likeness to the provided ID. The system will pass or fail the ID and we either proceed in session with a passing score or you will have to reattempt the ID verification again with the same ID or a different one.
• Document verification in session: You'll present your government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, green card, etc.) on video. The notary will examine it closely for authenticity.
• Knowledge-based authentication (KBA): If you ahve a U.S. SSN you'll answer a few personal security questions based on public records to confirm you are who you say you are.

This two-factor approach exceeds industry standards and prevents identity fraud.

Absolutely. We take privacy seriously. Your personal information, identity documents, and session recordings are encrypted and stored securely on NotaryCam's servers. We never share your data with third parties without your explicit consent, and we comply with all applicable privacy laws including UETA and state privacy regulations. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Yes. All RON sessions are recorded by law for compliance, audit, and fraud prevention purposes. The recording is encrypted and stored securely. You'll receive a copy of the recording in your confirmation email (if requested), and it serves as proof of the notarization. Recordings are retained securely for the duration required by law, then automatically deleted.

A name-based background check verifies that a person has no disqualifying criminal history or legal issues. Many clients request background checks on contractors, vendors, business partners, or job candidates. The report is official and can be used for employment, contract, or insurance purposes.

See our Background Checks service for pricing and details.

Notary Hero is currently commissioned to conduct RON in Virginia and Florida. We have notaries in both states and can serve clients nationwide.

Texas licensure is coming soon. If you need a notary in another state, contact us — we may be able to refer you to a trusted partner or help you explore other options.

Pricing varies based on document type, complexity, and whether you need expedited service or additional add-ons like apostilles or background checks. We provide transparent pricing upfront during booking, and you'll see your total cost before you confirm your appointment. Contact us for a custom quote if you have a complex or multi-document transaction.

Yes. We work regularly with title companies, real estate attorneys, mortgage lenders, and other professionals who need reliable RON services for their clients.

Reach out to [email protected] to discuss partnership opportunities.

Notarizations rarely fail if all requirements are met going in. However, if a lender, title company, or other recipient rejects your notarized document due to a technicality or missing element from our end, we'll work with you to identify the issue and re-notarize the document at no additional cost. Your satisfaction is our priority.