The History and Legality of Online Notarization

In today’s digital age, notarizing documents no longer requires an in-person appointment across a desk. Thanks to advancements in law and technology, Remote Online Notarization (RON) has become a fast, legal, and secure way to get documents notarized from anywhere in the world. But how did we get here?

📜 The Evolution of Notarization

For centuries, notarization was strictly an in-person process. A signer would meet with a notary public, provide valid identification, and sign documents in front of them. While this process offered security and formality, it was also time-consuming and limited by geography.

In the early 2000s, with the growth of e-commerce and digital signatures, some states began exploring electronic notarization (eNotarization)—but this still required in-person meetings. The true shift came with the rise of remote online notarization, where audio-visual technology is used to perform notarial acts entirely online.

⚖️ How Online Notarization Became Legal

Virginia was the first state to authorize RON in 2011, setting the stage for other states to follow. Over the next decade, many states developed legislation allowing notaries to perform notarizations via secure video calls—provided they followed specific identity verification and security procedures.

Texas joined the movement in 2018 when Senate Bill 2128 officially allowed commissioned notaries to apply for a Remote Online Notary commission. Since then, RON has become widely adopted across industries, especially in real estate, law, finance, and healthcare.

✅ Is Online Notarization Legal in All States?

Yes—Remote Online Notarization is legal in Texas and accepted in many U.S. states. Even if the signer is located in another state or country, the notarial act is considered valid as long as:

• The notary is physically located in Texas

• The notarization complies with Texas state law

• The document can be legally notarized under U.S. law

Many title companies, law firms, lenders, and government agencies now recognize properly conducted RON transactions as fully valid and binding.

🔒 Security Measures That Make RON Safe

Texas has some of the strictest legal and technical standards for online notarization, including:

• Multi-step identity verification (including knowledge-based authentication)

• Use of tamper-evident digital seals and certificates

• Secure video recording of the notarization session

• Long-term record retention for auditing and legal review

These safeguards make online notarization not just legal—but also secure, convenient, and fully trackable.

🏡 Why It Matters Today

Remote Online Notarization has proven invaluable for:

• Homebuyers and sellers out of state or overseas

• Attorneys handling estate planning or POAs

• Busy professionals needing quick, reliable service

• Medical and hospital settings where in-person meetings are difficult

Whether you're closing on a home, signing a Power of Attorney, or completing financial forms, online notarization makes it easier than ever to move forward—without leaving your home.

✨ Work With a Trusted Texas Remote Online Notary

At NotaryJennFlynn.com, I help clients across the globe complete their online notarizations quickly, securely, and legally—backed by a $1 million E&O policy and years of experience with 330+ RON closings.

🔹 Available 7 days a week🔹 Fully approved with major title underwriters🔹 Seamless ID verification and same-day appointments

📌 Final Thoughts

Online notarization is not a trend—it’s the future. As laws continue to evolve, Remote Online Notary services will remain a secure and legally compliant option for individuals, families, and businesses alike.

Have questions about your documents or want to see if RON is right for your situation? Contact me today or book your session online in minutes.