State RON Laws

A notary and signer(s) meet in a real-time audio-visual session to execute the notarial act. The session includes identity verification that complies with the requirements of the notary's commissioning state. All parties have the tools necessary to complete the document on the Proof platform. Once the notary completes the notarial act, the document is locked with a tamper-seal as a security measure, and an audit trail provides a record of user actions taken during the transaction.

Yes. Remote notarizations involve the same notarial acts executed in person and are as legally valid as paper-based notarizations. The difference lies in the use of technology and process requirements outlined by each state to ensure that a remote notarization is properly executed.

Yes. The District of Columbia has an established remote online notarization (RON) framework. District of Columbia notaries may perform online notarizations pursuant to D.C. Code § 1-1231.13a.

RON’s appeal lies in flexibility! A District of Columbia notary must be located in Washington DC at the time of executing the RON, but can execute a notarial act for a signer located in any state, or abroad if the document is intended for use with US–related matters. A signer located in Washington DC can complete a transaction with a notary located in any other state that commissions RON notaries.

D.C. recognizes notarial acts—including remote notarizations—performed under the law of another state if valid where performed. D.C.’s interstate recognition statute is D.C. Code § 42–143.01.

Proof cannot guarantee acceptance of documents. Signers should verify that recipients will accept RON-executed documents.