The Future Is Here: New York Approves Remote Online Notarization

Imagine having a client in Europe who needs a document notarized by a New York notary. Traditionally, you would direct them to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. But what if the country has no U.S. consulate—or the consulate is closed, as seen in places like Ukraine? Until recently, the only option was for clients to travel to New York or another country for notarization services.

With the enactment of New York Executive Law Section 135-c, that challenge is now eliminated. New York licensed electronic notaries can perform Remote Online Notarization (RON) for clients located anywhere in the world—whether in New York, California, Europe, or even the International Space Station.

This new law offers numerous benefits: reduced travel, faster document execution, fewer errors, lower paper costs, and immediate electronic delivery of fully executed documents. Because a New York electronic notary performs the notarial act digitally, attorneys also bypass the requirement of providing certificates of conformity for out-of-state recordings.

Electronic Licensing Requirements

Executive Law Section 130 outlines the traditional notarization process in New York, where the signer physically appears before the notary and signs the document with ink. During the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary executive orders allowed remote notarizations via live video, but those measures have since expired.

Executive Law Section 135-c establishes a permanent electronic notarization framework. Importantly, a traditional notary commission is not enough—an additional electronic notary license is required. Applicants must register through the New York Business Express portal, upload an oath of office, pay a $60 fee, and renew every four years. Electronic notaries may continue providing both traditional and electronic services simultaneously.

Identity Verification Requirements

Remote notarization cannot be performed through standard video tools such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. The law requires electronic notaries to use third-party vendors capable of providing identity verification and credential analysis. These systems must meet strict security standards, including compliance with NIST Identity Assurance Level 2.

Unlike most RON-enabled states—where the Secretary of State certifies approved vendors—New York places responsibility on the notary to select a compliant provider. This requires the vendor to document their compliance and provide verification to the notary.

How Remote Electronic Notarization Works in Practice

Despite the extensive regulations, the practical workflow is straightforward:

The electronic notary sends a secure link to the signer.
The signer joins the session on the vendor platform with audio and video enabled.
The notary initiates identity verification using credential analysis tools for ID validation.
A PDF copy of the document is provided for review and electronic signing.
The notary witnesses the signature, then applies their own electronic seal and signature.

While the signer may be located anywhere in the world, the notary must be physically in New York during the electronic notarization. If the signer is abroad, they must confirm that the document relates to a U.S. jurisdiction, property, or transaction.

Once completed, documents may be emailed, transmitted electronically, or printed. For recording purposes, an electronic notary must “paper out” the document by attaching an ink-signed certificate of authenticity and submitting it with the printed version.

Fees and Recordkeeping

Electronic notaries may charge up to $25 per electronic notarial act, inclusive of all costs, including vendor fees. Additional certificates of authenticity may be charged at $2 each.

New York now requires all notaries—traditional and electronic—to maintain a journal of notarial acts, including date, time, verification method, type of act, and (for electronic notaries) the identity of the third-party vendor. Records must be retained for at least ten years. Electronic notaries must also preserve audio-video recordings of each session for the same duration.

The Future of RON in New York and Beyond

Concerns about electronic notarization are diminishing as the technology proves to be secure, reliable, and highly effective at preventing fraud. With enhanced identity verification and long-term audio-video recording requirements, RON offers greater protection than many traditional in-person notarizations.

Nationwide adoption is accelerating. Forty-three states now have RON laws, and federal legislation—such as the SECURE Notarization Act—aims to establish nationwide standards, further expanding accessibility and efficiency for citizens and businesses.

As the industry evolves, New York attorneys and notaries who understand and adopt RON will be positioned to provide faster, safer, and more convenient services for clients across the globe.

For businesses seeking a secure, compliant, and intuitive RON platform, visit
ProNotary.com to learn how to modernize your document workflows with remote online notarization.

The Future Is Here: New York Approves Remote Online Notarization