FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A notary public is an official appointed by the state government to witness and certify the signing of legal documents.

Remote Online Notarization is a legally recognized way to notarize documents over a secure video call. You’ll meet with me online, verify your identity, sign the document electronically, and receive a notarized digital copy.

Yes! New York State allows notaries to perform Remote Online Notarizations. As a commissioned New York notary, I follow all required laws, including secure identity verification, digital signatures, and audio-video recording.

New York allows a wide variety of documents to be notarized through RON — but not all documents qualify. There are certain documents that must be notarized in person, due to state law or institutional requirements.

It’s important to understand that RON rules vary by state. What’s allowed in New York may be restricted or prohibited in another state — and vice versa. If your document is going to be submitted out of state or internationally, be sure to check that the receiving party accepts online notarizations from New York.

Commonly Allowed for RON in New York:

• Affidavits
• Parental consent forms
• Business contracts
• School forms
• DMV forms
• Lease agreements
• Loan agreements

NOT Allowed for RON in New York:

• Vital records, such as birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates and adoption paperwork
• Wills and Codicils
• Powers of Attorney
• Trusts
• Health Care Proxies
• Living Wills
• Orders Not to Resuscitate (DNRs)

The short answer is no. As a notary public, I am not an attorney and therefore cannot provide legal advice or assist in completing legal forms. This includes interpreting the document, advising on what to write, or filling in blanks related to legal decisions.

It is very important that your document is fully completed before the notarization begins, with the following exceptions:

• Signature lines (leave these blank until we are together in the notarization session)
• Initial fields (these may be filled in during the session as instructed)
• The notary section (jurat, acknowledgment certificate, or notary signature area — I will complete this part)

When it’s time to sign, you’ll be prompted to click on a signature field, where you can choose to:

• Type your name using a secure font,
• Draw your signature with your mouse or finger, or
• Upload a saved digital signature (if your device supports it).

Yes. I can notarize for clients anywhere in the U.S. or internationally, as long as I (the notary) am physically located in New York at the time of the session. Some limitations may apply depending on your document type.

Some documents require more than just a notary signature — they also need one or perhaps even two witnesses to be present when you sign. Whether witnesses are required depends entirely on the type of document and the laws or policies of the organization receiving it.

In New York, online notarization laws allow for remote witnesses, but they must be part of the same online session and meet identity verification requirements. I can help you handle remote witnesses if necessary.

If you're unsure about whether you need a witness, check your document instructions or consult the person/entity requesting the document. 

If a signer is unable to provide an acceptable form of ID, New York allows for a notary public to use one or two credible witnesses to verify the signer's identity. A credible witness is someone who personally knows the signer and is willing to swear to it under oath or affirmation.

Read more about credible witnesses and their essential role in the notary process by heading over to the Identity Verification page.

You'll need:

• A valid, government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport. Click here for more information on the identity verification process.
• A strong, reliable internet connection
• A smartphone, tablet, or computer enabled with a camera and microphone
• Your document in digital form (PDF preferred)

New York law allows a fee of up to $25 for each electronic notarization (or stamp/seal). 

At The Digital Notary, pricing starts at $25 for a single RON session, with discounted rates available for multiple signatures notarized during the same session. Payment will be collected once the notarization has been completed.

View full Pricing.

Usually around 15 minutes, but of course this can vary depending upon the number of signers and/or documents to be notarized.

Easy! Just visit the Book Appointment page and fill out a short, simple form. You'll have the option to upload your document (strongly recommended) and then choose an appointment time that works for you. You’ll receive confirmation and a secure video link before your notary session.