Remote Online Notarization in Florida: What You Need to Know Before You Book

A lot of people reach out asking if they can get their documents notarized without meeting in person. The short answer is yes — in many cases. Florida is one of the states that fully supports remote online notarization, and as a RON-authorized notary serving Northeast Florida, I get questions about this pretty regularly. So here's what you actually need to know.

What Remote Online Notarization Actually Is

RON lets you get documents notarized over a live video call instead of sitting across a table from a notary. You sign digitally, the notary witnesses it in real time, and an electronic seal is applied to the document. The whole thing is recorded, timestamped, and backed by an audit trail.

People sometimes think this means emailing a PDF around. It doesn't. This is a supervised, legally compliant transaction — and in some ways it's more secure than a traditional notarization because of how identity verification works.

Florida's RON Law

Florida was ahead of the curve on this. Under Chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes, Florida notaries are authorized to perform RON for signers anywhere in the world — what matters is that the notary is physically located in Florida during the session. So if you're a Florida resident traveling out of state, or an out-of-state client who needs a Florida document handled, that's not a problem.

Not every notary is authorized for this though. A Florida notary has to apply specifically to the state, complete approved training, and use a state-approved platform before they can legally perform remote notarizations. Always ask.

How They Verify Your Identity

This is actually where RON has a leg up on in-person notarization. Before the session even starts, you go through a multi-step identity verification process that typically includes three layers:

Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) pulls questions from your public records — things only you should know. If you fail, the session ends. No exceptions.

Credential Analysis scans your government-issued ID and checks it for authenticity. It's not just a visual check — the document itself is analyzed.

Live Video Comparison has the notary verify that you match your ID in real time during the call.

Florida Also Allows Biometric Verification

This one surprises people. Florida's RON law explicitly permits biometric data as part of the identity verification process — and it's worth understanding what that means.

Biometrics use something that physically is you rather than something you know or have. In the context of RON, that typically means facial recognition — a live scan of your face compared against your ID photo. Some platforms also support fingerprint scanning for signers with compatible devices.

The difference between biometrics and KBA matters for fraud prevention. Someone could potentially research answers to knowledge-based questions. They can't fake your face or your fingerprint. For high-value or sensitive documents, biometric verification adds a meaningful layer of protection, and Florida is one of the states that actually allows it within the RON process.

What You Can — and Can't — Get Notarized Remotely

Most standard documents are fair game for RON. Real estate documents, powers of attorney, affidavits, business contracts, loan documents (depending on your lender), and most estate planning documents can all be handled remotely.

The exception that comes up most often in my work is wills. In Florida, a will requires two witnesses physically present with the person signing. That's a statutory requirement that RON doesn't satisfy — the notary piece can be handled remotely, but the witness piece cannot. If you're signing a will or a document that requires witnesses, that needs to be coordinated in person. I handle those signings regularly and can take care of the full appointment.

A few other situations where in-person is the better call:

The receiving party may not accept RON. Even if your notary is authorized and the document is properly executed, some county recorders, lenders, or out-of-state agencies won't accept electronically notarized documents. Always confirm with whoever is receiving the paperwork before you schedule.

Some lenders still require wet signatures. Mortgage lenders in particular sometimes have their own requirements that go beyond what state law allows. Check with your lender first if this involves a loan closing.

When RON Makes the Most Sense

RON is genuinely useful for people who are mobile, traveling, dealing with a time crunch, or just don't want to coordinate schedules for a routine notarization. If you're an out-of-area signer on a Florida transaction, it's often the most practical option.

For anything involving estate planning — especially if witnesses are part of the picture — I usually recommend an in-person mobile appointment. It removes any question about whether the document will be accepted, and I can coordinate everything in one visit across Duval, St. Johns, Clay, and Nassau Counties.

Not sure which option fits your situation? Reach out and tell me what you're working with. I'll give you a straight answer.

Nikola Nichols is a mobile notary and RON-authorized signing agent based in Atlantic Beach, FL. She serves Northeast Florida through Reliable Notary Now LLC and holds NNA, CTDA, Notary Stars, and Remote Online Notary Network certifications. www.reliablenotarynow.com +1(904) 342-3098