What is Remote Online Notarization (RON)?

In 2011, Virginia became the first state to authorize digital notarizations with House Bill 2318/Senate Bill 827, setting the foundation for a major shift from traditional in-person notarizations to secure online processes. Today, more than 40 states have adopted Remote Online Notarization (RON) laws, supporting a safer, simpler, and more efficient method for verifying documents.

Remote online notarization (RON) uses real-time audio-video technology to enable notaries to authenticate electronic documents remotely. Signers appear before a commissioned notary through a secure digital platform, allowing the core components of traditional notarization to remain intact while enhancing security through modern technology.

Growth and Legal Recognition

Since Virginia’s pioneering legislation, RON has rapidly expanded nationwide. Over 40 states now have RON statutes in place, and interstate recognition ensures that a properly conducted remote notarization performed under one state’s laws is typically accepted in another.

How ProNotary Verifies Identity

To reduce fraud and maintain compliance, the ProNotary platform uses a multi-layered identity verification process:

• Knowledge-Based Authentication (Something you know):
  Signers answer dynamically generated questions sourced from public records to verify their identity.
• Credential Analysis (Something you have):
  Signers provide images of a government-issued ID, which are analyzed by an automated system to confirm authenticity.
• Notary Validation (Something you are):
  Once KBA and credential analysis are passed, signers join a live session where the notary completes the identity verification process.

Enhanced Transparency and Record Keeping

RON significantly improves auditability and transparency. ProNotary users can access the notarized document, notary details, ID images, and the recorded signing session. A complete audit trail logs every action—strengthening accountability and providing a reliable record for future reference.

Key Advantage: Accessibility

Perhaps the most impactful benefit of RON is accessibility. Documents can be notarized from anywhere, at any time, without requiring physical presence. This provides businesses and individuals with a faster, more cost-effective, and customer-friendly solution—ideal for today’s digitally driven environment.

To learn more about Remote Online Notarization or to get started with a secure, modern notarization platform, visit
ProNotary.com.