Is Online Notarization Legal in My State?

The era of online notary, e-notary, and remote online notarization (RON) is rapidly transforming how people notarize important documents. Instead of meeting a notary in person, you can now connect via secure audio‑video, electronically sign, and complete the notarization entirely online.

But is that legal in your state? The answer depends on state law. Some states let notaries perform RON, some only recognize out‑of-state online notarizations, and a few are still implementing full rules.

Below is a comprehensive state-by-state guide

State Laws on Online Notarization

Here’s the current status of remote online notarization (RON) across the U.S.:

• Alabama – Notaries cannot perform RON yet, but the state recognizes out-of-state online notarizations.

• Alaska – RON legal under Alaska Stat. § 44.50.075; recognizes out-of-state notarizations.

• Arizona – Legal under A.R.S. § 41-263; recognizes out-of-state notarizations.

• Arkansas – RON authorized (Ark. Code § 21-14-301).

• California – Notaries cannot yet perform RON, but state recognizes out-of-state notarizations; new law (SB 696) sets RON implementation by Jan. 1, 2030.

• Colorado – Legal under Title 24, Art. 21, Part 5.

• Connecticut – Legal under Public Act 23-28.

• Delaware – Law passed (Title 29 § 4320) and in implementation; recognizes out-of-state notarizations.

• District of Columbia – Notaries not yet authorized to perform RON; recognizes out-of-state notarizations.

• Florida – Legal under Fla. Stat. Ch. 117, Part II.

• Georgia – Local notaries cannot do RON yet, but Georgia recognizes properly done out-of-state RONs.

• Hawaii – RON legal under HRS § 456-23.

• Idaho – Legal (IDAPA 34.07.01).

• Illinois – Approved under Notary Public Act (5 ILCS 312/), pending full rule adoption.

• Indiana – Legal (Ind. Code § 33-42-17-3).

• Iowa – Legal (Iowa Code 9B).

• Kansas – Legal (Kan. Stat. § 53-5a15).

• Kentucky – Legal (KRS 423.455).

• Louisiana – Legal under Title 35, Ch. 10.

• Maine – Legal under Title 4 § 1915.

• Maryland – Legal (Md. Code § 18-201).

• Massachusetts – Approved (M.G.L. Ch. 222 § 28).

• Michigan – Legal (MCL §§ 55.285-287).

• Minnesota – Legal (Minn. Stat. § 358.645).

• Mississippi – No in‑state RON yet, but recognizes out-of-state online notarizations.

• Missouri – Legal (Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 486.1100-1205).

• Montana – Legal (Mont. Code Ann. § 1-5-603).

• Nebraska – Legal (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 64-407).

• Nevada – Legal (NRS § 240.181).

• New Hampshire – Legal (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 456-B).

• New Jersey – Legal (N.J. Stat. § 52:7-10.1).

• New Mexico – Legal (N.M. Stat. § 14-14A-1).

• New York – Legal (Exec. Law § 135-c).

• North Carolina – Notaries cannot yet perform RON; state does recognize out-of-state RONs.

• North Dakota – Legal (N.D. Cent. Code § 44-06.1-13.1).

• Ohio – Legal (Ohio Rev. Code § 147.64).

• Oklahoma – Legal (Okla. Stat. Title 49 § 206).

• Oregon – Legal (Or. Rev. Stat. § 194.277). Oregon law allows a notary public to perform a notarial act by communication technology for a remotely located individual under specified conditions.

• Pennsylvania – Legal (57 Pa.C.S. § 306).

• Rhode Island – Legal (R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-30.1-12).

• South Carolina – Notaries cannot yet perform RON; recognizes out-of-state online notarizations.

• South Dakota – Legal (S.D. Codified Laws § 18-1-11).

• Tennessee – Legal (Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-16-301).

• Texas – Legal (Tex. Gov’t Code § 406.101).

• Utah – Legal (Utah Code § 46-1-3.6).

• Vermont – Legal (Vt. Stat. Title 26 § 5362).

• Virginia – First state to authorize RON (Va. Code § 47.1-2).

• Washington – Legal (RCW § 42.45.280).

• West Virginia – Legal (W.Va. Code § 39-4-37).

• Wisconsin – Legal (Wis. Stat. § 140.145).

• Wyoming – Legal (Wyo. Stat. § 32-1-109).

Why This Matters

Understanding whether remote online notarization, e-notary, or online notary services are legal in your state is essential for:
- Real estate closings
- Estate planning documents
- Business contracts
- Financial paperwork
- Healthcare directives

Even in states that do not yet authorize in‑state RON, many still recognize properly done out-of-state online notarizations. But if your state already allows RON, you have full access to notaries who can perform the entire notarization process online.

Final Thoughts

Online notarization is quickly becoming the new standard. With most U.S. states now authorizing RON, and others recognizing out-of-state notarizations, access to secure, convenient notarization is easier than ever. If your state hasn’t fully implemented e-notary laws yet, you can still use certified online notary platforms to complete your documents legally and securely.  Read more about State Laws Recognizing Online Notarization.