You need one signature notarized. Just one. But it means leaving work early, finding parking near a UPS Store, and hoping the notary on duty isn’t out to lunch. For a single power of attorney or a form your lender needs by five o’clock, that whole afternoon feels like a lot to give up.
Remote online notarization skips all of it. You sign from your kitchen table, your office, or a hotel room three states away, and a Florida-commissioned notary handles the rest over a secure video call. Below is exactly how a session works, what you need to have ready, and the questions we hear most before someone books one.
What Remote Online Notarization Actually Is
Remote online notarization, or RON, lets a Florida notary notarize your document over a live two-way audio-video call instead of sitting across a table from you. Florida legalized it under Fla. Stat. § 117.265, and the notary has to be physically located in Florida when the session happens. You don’t. Neither does anyone else signing with you.
It’s not a shortcut or a workaround. It carries the same legal weight as an in-person notarization, and in some ways it leaves a better paper trail, since the entire session gets recorded and kept on file for 10 years under Florida law.
How a RON Session Works, Step by Step
Here’s the actual sequence, from booking to finished document.
- Upload your document. You send us the file ahead of time so it’s loaded and ready before your session starts.
- Book a time. Sessions run same-day in most cases, since there’s no travel involved on either end.
- Verify your identity. Before the call, the platform runs credential analysis on your government-issued ID, checking security features to confirm it’s genuine, then asks you a short set of knowledge-based questions pulled from public and proprietary records.
- Join the video call. You and the notary appear on a live, secure two-way audio-video connection. If witnesses are required, they join too, from wherever they happen to be.
- Sign electronically. The notary walks through the document with you, confirms you understand what you’re signing, and watches you apply your electronic signature in real time.
- Notarization and seal. The notary applies their electronic seal and signature, and the session is recorded start to finish.
- Receive your document. You get the finished, notarized file, typically within minutes of the call ending.
Most sessions run 15 to 25 minutes depending on how many pages you’re signing and whether witnesses are involved.
What You Need Before Your Session
Nothing complicated. Most people already have everything on this list.
- A current, valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or state ID)
- A computer, tablet, or smartphone with a working camera and microphone
- A stable internet connection
- A quiet, well-lit space where you can talk freely for the length of the call
- The document itself, uploaded ahead of time (we can help track this down if you’re missing a piece)
That’s the whole list. No scanner, no printer, no notary stamp of your own to find.
What You Can Notarize Through RON
RON covers most of what a traditional notary handles in person, including:
- Powers of attorney
- Affidavits
- Real estate closing documents (subject to lender and title company approval)
- Loan signing packages
- Wills and estate planning documents in many cases
- Business and legal agreements requiring a notarized signature
A handful of document types still require an in-person notary under Florida law, and some lenders or receiving institutions have their own preferences regardless of what the statute allows. If you’re not sure whether your document qualifies, send it over and we’ll tell you before you book anything.
Common Questions Before Booking
Is RON actually legal and binding in Florida?
Yes. Florida authorized RON under Fla. Stat. § 117.265, performed only by notaries who hold both a standard Florida commission and a separate online notary registration. A document notarized through RON carries the same legal standing as one notarized in person.
What if I’m not physically in Florida?
That’s fine. The notary has to be located in Florida during the session, but you can sign from anywhere with an internet connection, another state or even out of the country.
What happens if my ID doesn’t pass verification?
It happens occasionally, usually because of a damaged or expired ID. If that comes up, we’ll walk you through alternate verification options or help you reschedule once you have valid identification on hand.
Can real estate closings really be done through RON in Florida?
Often, yes, though it depends on your specific lender and title company. We confirm eligibility with your title company before scheduling so there are no surprises at closing.
RON or Mobile Notary: Which Fits Your Situation
RON is the right call when you’re pressed for time, signing from out of state, or just don’t want to coordinate a home visit. If you’d rather have someone sit across the table from you, or you’re signing from a hospital bed where a video call isn’t practical, our mobile notary service covers Miami-Dade and Broward County in person. Either way gets your document legally notarized. We’ll tell you honestly which one fits before you book.
Ready to Get It Signed?
Book a RON session directly at https://sealnow.co/#book. Most sessions are available same day, and you’ll walk away with a notarized document in your inbox before you’d have finished driving to a UPS Store.