Remote Online Notarization

Who This Page Is For

People reach out about remote notarization from outside Florida for all kinds of reasons: military families stationed overseas, Americans living or working abroad, international students and businesspeople, family members or attorneys handling paperwork for someone who can't travel to Florida, and signers in other U.S. states who want a fast, secure alternative to finding a local notary. If your situation isn't listed here, reach out and we'll figure out together whether RON is the right fit.

 

How Remote Online Notarization Works

Nikola E. Nichols is a Florida-commissioned Notary Public and Remote Online Notary registered with the Florida Department of State (sessions run on the BlueNotary platform), holding NNA and Loan Signing System (LSS) credentials. Every session happens over live, recorded audio-video with government ID verification (including foreign passports for signers outside the U.S.) and credential analysis. Each session produces a secure electronic notarial certificate and seal, plus an audio-video recording kept for at least 10 years, as Florida law requires.

 

What you'll need: a valid government-issued photo ID; a reliable internet connection; a computer, tablet, or smartphone with camera and microphone; the document you need notarized; and if your document isn't in English, a certified translation first.

 

Signing From Outside the United States

Under Florida Statute 117.201(6), a valid foreign passport without a U.S. immigration stamp can be used as identification for a signer who is not physically located in the United States. Florida RON also requires additional identity verification beyond the ID itself (credential analysis, plus knowledge-based authentication or an approved alternative, per F.S. 117.265) — what that looks like in practice can depend on your situation, so we'll walk through exactly what you'll need before your appointment.

 

A few other things to know. You'll need a stable internet connection and a private space for the video call. Not every country's internet or video-call restrictions allow for a smooth RON session, so we'll flag this before scheduling. Always check with the person or institution receiving your document that they'll accept an electronically notarized (and, if needed, apostilled) document. And if your document isn't in English, it will generally need a certified translation — we refer clients to a trusted translation partner.

 

Reliable Notary Now is not a law firm and cannot give legal advice about which country's rules apply to your document. If you have questions about your specific situation, consider speaking with an attorney. If you need in-person consular services unrelated to what we offer by RON, your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate may be able to help — find yours with the official USA.gov U.S. Embassy Finder.

 

Notarizing for Signers in Other U.S. States

Every RON session is performed under Florida law, with Nikola physically located in Florida throughout the session, regardless of which state you're signing from. Florida's RON law has been in effect since January 1, 2020. Many states have laws recognizing notarizations performed under another state's law, but the office receiving your document decides what it accepts, so check with them first.

 

One practical note for documents that need to be recorded, like real estate deeds: some county recorders or clerks outside Florida may be less familiar with out-of-state RON and ask for an extra step. If your document needs to be filed with a court or recorder, let us know in advance — Florida law lets a notary attest to a printout of an electronic record (s. 117.05(12), Florida Statutes), which can help in that situation.

 

Why Sign With a Florida Remote Online Notary

A permanent RON law — Florida's has been in effect since January 1, 2020, and isn't a temporary pandemic measure.

Works for international signers — Florida law explicitly allows foreign passports as ID for signers located outside the U.S.

Strong identity checks — every session includes ID and credential analysis, identity proofing, and a video recording kept for at least 10 years.

Apostille and translation support available, so your document is ready for wherever it needs to go next.