• What is Remote Online Notarization?  (RON)

Remote online notarization, or “RON”,  is a 100% online video system that allows documents to be signed and notarized over the Internet using your webcam and microphone.  Only a specially trained and authorized notary public can perform remote online notarizations. (You can verify approved notaries here)

• What are your hours of operation?

I can accommodate your notarial needs as needed, remaining sensitive to time differences. 

• How much does it cost?

The fee is $25.00 for the first notary seal, per principal signer.  Each additional notary seal required during the same online session is an additional $20.00. The signor must provide the requisite witnesses; however, the notary may serve as one of the required witnesses at no additional cost.  ​

• What are the minimum system requirements to use remote online notarization (RON)?

When using remote online notarization, or "RON", you must meet the system requirements of Signix, including access to a device with a camera and a microphone. Your video and audio must work in order for the notarization to take place. Minimum system requirements are as follows:

• Operating System

Windows 7 and above

MacOS X High Sierra and above (supporting Safari as below)

iOS - latest version and two prior

Android - latest version and two prior

• Web Browser

Microsoft Internet Explorer, version 11.0 

Microsoft Edge (both original and new version based on Chromium, 2020 release)

Google Chrome, the latest version, and two prior. See below on opening PDFs in Chrome

Mozilla Firefox, Extended Support Release. See below on opening PDFs in Firefox

Safari, version 11 or higher

Cookies & JavaScript enabled 

Note that other browser configurations may work, but have not been specifically tested nor approved for use

• PDF Viewer

For the best experience viewing and printing digitally signed, electronic documents, you should use Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader version 9.1 or higher.

Note that browser-dependent PDF viewers for Firefox and Chrome, as well as Preview on OS X and iOS, may display the signature but will not display the tamper-evident seal. Be sure to view documents in a compliant PDF viewer such as Reader, Acrobat, Nitro Reader, or Fox-It Reader.

• Email / Internet Access

An email address and access to the Internet is required. Broadband is recommended.

• Do you have a Spanish speaking remote online notary?

Yes, I speak Spanish. Si, hablo Español.

• Do I need a device with a touch screen to use RON?

No, not required.

• Do I have to physically appear before a notary?

No, you don’t have to physically appear before me, the notary, but you do have to appear by video.  You can be anywhere in the world as long as you have a working device that meets the minimum requirements and have a reliable, high-speed Internet connection.

• Do I have to be in Florida or be a Florida resident to use RON?

No, it doesn’t matter where you are in the world as long as you meet all of the requirements for RON.  This virtually eliminates the need to have an in-person, or mobile notary session. Using RON allows you to have your documents notarized in the privacy and comfort of your own home or office.

• Do you charge extra for intercontinental notarizations?

No, my standard rates apply anywhere in the world.

• How long does it take?

After the actual online notary session begins, it usually takes just a few minutes.  The COVID-19 pandemic is keeping me very busy, so please be patient after you submit your documents as you await your turn.  

• Is Remote Online Notarization safe and secure?

Yes, it’s more secure than traditional paper notarizations and is designed to detect identity fraud.  We contract with technology provider Signix, which satisfies Florida’s strict remote online notary law.  Each notarial session is audio/video recorded and retained for 10-years, every signer’s identification is analyzed for authenticity, and their identity is further authenticated using a system known as, “Knowledge-Based Authentication”, or KBA.  

• What is a notarial act?  Does my document need specific notary language?

Most documents presented to a notary public already have a notary section with wording that makes it clear to the notary which notarial act is required.  The two most common acts that a notary public performs are oaths and acknowledgments.  If you submit a document to us for notarization without proper notarial language, I am going to ask you which notarial act you want performed. Please note that I cannot make the choice for you, your document preparer will need to advise you accordingly.​

• Can I use FaceTime, Zoom, Facebook, Skype, or Whatsapp for remote online notarization?

This is Ia common question, and the answer is no.  Only technology providers approved by the State of Florida are authorized to handle the secure session and make the required verifications.

• Is there an official record of the online notarial session?

Yes, all online notary sessions are audio-video recorded, and the recordings are kept for ten years. I am also required to keep a detailed notary journal of all notarized transactions.

• Do you have to be a United States Citizen to use RON?

You have to be a U.S. citizen or a legal resident with a social security number and a U.S. credit history of at least 3-5 years.  Only U.S. state-issued driver licenses or ID cards are accepted as identification. Although a passport can be used for identification with a traditional, in-person notary, the online system is not set up to validate passports for RON.

• Will I have to provide my social security number? 

Only the last 4 digits.

• What does my credit history have to do with online notarization?

Florida law requires that your identity be authenticated. Lexus-Nexus provides this service. If you don’t have an established credit history in the United States, the required 5-question test for the Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) part of the process cannot be generated.

• One of the requirements to use RON is to have a working mobile phone from a major U.S. based carrier, why?

It has to do with the laws guiding ID verification processes for U.S. Citizens. It’s similar to why PayPal, banks, etc., do not open accounts created with phone numbers that are not registered with a U.S. phone service provider. In addition, it helps to generate questions for the KBA test, as participants’ phone numbers usually relate to their credit histories and address in some way.

• What documents can be notarized using a remote online notary?

Generally speaking, any document that can be notarized by a traditional in-person notary can be notarized by online notarization.

• What about notarizing a will or a trust using remote online notarization?

I do not notarize wills or trusts for the general public by remote online notarization.  Why?  It has to do with Florida’s strict requirements concerning, “Qualified Custodians” of electronic wills. Although Florida RON notaries are permitted to notarize a will via RON after July 1, 2020, I will not be providing that service unless an attorney/law firm is furnishing a qualified custodian. The information regarding the qualified custodian must be part of the text of the will.

• Will you notarize a durable general power of attorney?

Yes, but only within our strict guidelines.

• Can we get married online?

This is another common question, and the answer is no. Florida specifically prohibits a remote online notary to perform online marriage ceremonies, even despite COVID-19 difficulties. But don't worry, I can still schedule an in-person ceremony provided the appropriate safety precautions are put into place.

• Some documents require witnesses, i.e. warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, adoption consents, etc.  Can documents such as these be notarized by an online notary?

I can serve as one of your required witnesses at no charge; however, you must provide the second notary.

• Can you use online notarization for documents that require two principal signatures, such as marital settlement agreements, joint petitions, deeds, etc.?

Yes, the system supports two signers and two witnesses simultaneously.

• Do my documents have to be, “Florida documents?”

No, I can notarize documents that have no association with Florida.​

• Besides the notary page, there are places on my documents that need electronic signatures and initials. Does your system do this?

Yes, my system is set up for electronic signatures and initials.  ​

• What’s the best way to start the process of getting a document notarized?

All requests for online notarization start by contacting me to arrange the uploading of documents.

• If I supply my own witnesses, will they be screened as well?

Yes, each witness must pre-qualify the same as the principal signer(s), and each witness must have a unique email address and their own computer/device with an operating webcam and microphone. ​​

• When will my notarized documents be available?

Your notarized document(s) will be available immediately via email.

• Can I submit a blank document or just the signature page for online notarization?

No, you must properly complete your forms and documents prior to submitting them, the only fields that should remain blank are the notarial section, the signature(s) section, and the date(s) section.​​