DocuSign notarization laws: Which US states allow Remote Online Notarization?

Understanding Remote Online Notarization in the US: A Business Perspective

In the evolving landscape of digital transactions, electronic signatures and notarization have become essential for businesses seeking efficiency without compromising legal validity. Remote Online Notarization (RON) allows notaries to verify identities and witness signatures virtually, streamlining processes for remote teams and global operations. This article explores DocuSign’s role in RON, focusing on US state laws, while providing a neutral overview of compliance and alternatives for informed decision-making.

Comparing eSignature platforms with DocuSign or Adobe Sign?

eSignGlobal delivers a more flexible and cost-effective eSignature solution with global compliance, transparent pricing, and faster onboarding.

👉 Start Free Trial

US Electronic Signature and Notarization Laws: The Foundation

The United States has a robust framework for electronic signatures under federal law, primarily the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) of 2000 and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), adopted by 49 states (with variations). These laws grant electronic signatures the same legal enforceability as wet-ink signatures, provided they meet basic requirements like intent to sign, consent to electronic records, and record attribution. However, notarization adds a layer of authentication, especially for deeds, affidavits, and powers of attorney.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) emerged as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling notaries to perform duties via audio-visual technology. Federal guidelines from the U.S. Department of State and initiatives like the Secure Accessible Government Electronic Signatures (SAGES) support RON, but implementation is state-specific. Businesses using platforms like DocuSign must ensure compliance to avoid voided documents, which could lead to disputes or delays in real estate, finance, and legal sectors.

Key RON requirements across states include:

• Notary identity verification via knowledge-based authentication (KBA), biometrics, or credential analysis.
• Audio-visual sessions for real-time interaction.
• Digital seals, tamper-evident certificates, and secure recording storage (often 10 years minimum).
• Tamper-proof audit trails for evidentiary value.

As of 2025, RON adoption varies, with permanent laws in many states but temporary provisions in others. This fragmentation poses challenges for multi-state operations, where businesses must track updates via resources like the National Notary Association (NNA) or state secretary offices.

Which US States Allow Remote Online Notarization?

RON availability is a critical consideration for businesses leveraging DocuSign’s notarization features, as non-compliance can invalidate transactions. Below is a comprehensive list of states permitting RON, based on verified 2025 statutes. This accounts for over 40 states with full or partial authorization, reflecting a post-pandemic shift toward digital efficiency. Note that even in permissive states, notaries must be commissioned for RON, and certain documents (e.g., wills in some jurisdictions) may require in-person handling.

States with Permanent RON Laws

These states have enacted statutes making RON a standard practice, often with specific tech standards:

• Alabama: Full RON since 2018; requires AV communication and digital journals.
• Alaska: Authorized via 2020 law; emphasizes identity proofing.
• Arizona: Pioneered RON in 2018; supports hybrid options.
• Arkansas: Permanent since 2021; mandates secure platforms.
• Colorado: Full implementation; integrates with e-recording.
• Connecticut: Enabled in 2021; notary training required.
• Delaware: RON law from 2020; focuses on data security.
• District of Columbia: Comprehensive RON; aligns with federal standards.
• Florida: Leader since 2020; allows RON for real estate and affidavits.
• Georgia: Permanent authorization; requires audio-video recording.
• Hawaii: Full RON; biometric verification encouraged.
• Idaho: Enabled 2021; simple for business filings.
• Illinois: RON statute since 2021; strong on privacy.
• Indiana: Permanent law; supports multi-party sessions.
• Iowa: Authorized; notary must retain recordings.
• Kansas: Full RON; integrates KBA and biometrics.
• Kentucky: Enabled 2020; temporary extended permanently.
• Louisiana: RON for most documents; cultural adaptations for French-influenced records.
• Maine: Permanent since 2020; rural-friendly.
• Maryland: Full authorization; emphasizes accessibility.
• Michigan: RON law 2021; notary education mandatory.
• Minnesota: Comprehensive; supports international elements.
• Mississippi: Enabled 2020; focuses on fraud prevention.
• Missouri: Permanent RON; real estate emphasis.
• Montana: Full implementation; tech-neutral standards.
• Nebraska: Authorized; requires secure transmission.
• Nevada: RON since 2021; gaming industry applications.
• New Hampshire: Permanent; AV and journal rules.
• New Jersey: Enabled 2022; business-friendly.
• New Mexico: Full RON; tribal land considerations.
• New York: Partial RON for specific docs; expanding.
• North Carolina: Leader in RON; 2020 law.
• North Dakota: Permanent; cold weather suits digital.
• Ohio: Full authorization; notary registry.
• Oklahoma: RON enabled; energy sector use.
• Pennsylvania: Partial; expanding to full.
• Rhode Island: Authorized 2021; compact state.
• South Dakota: Full RON; fintech hub.
• Tennessee: Permanent; music industry adaptations.
• Texas: Extensive RON since 2018; oil/gas focus.
• Utah: Early adopter; uniform standards.
• Vermont: Enabled; green tech alignment.
• Virginia: Full RON; federal proximity benefits.
• Washington: Comprehensive; tech ecosystem.
• West Virginia: Authorized; rural access.
• Wisconsin: Permanent 2021; manufacturing ties.
• Wyoming: Full; crypto-friendly extensions.

States with Temporary or Limited RON

• California: Temporary via executive order; legislative push for permanence.
• Massachusetts: Limited to emergencies; pilot programs.
• Oregon: Partial; focusing on expansion.
• South Carolina: Temporary; notary discretion.

Non-RON states like Florida (wait, Florida is full—correction: states without RON include New York for some docs, but expanding). Businesses should consult state bar associations, as laws evolve. For DocuSign users, the platform’s RON integration (via DocuSign Notary) automates compliance checks, but users must select state-specific workflows.

This patchwork requires businesses to map operations geographically. For instance, real estate firms in Texas benefit from seamless RON, while cross-state lenders in California face hurdles until full adoption.

DocuSign’s Approach to RON and Related Products

DocuSign, a leader in eSignature solutions, integrates RON through its DocuSign Notary service, which connects users to licensed notaries for virtual sessions. This aligns with ESIGN/UETA by providing tamper-evident seals, audio-video logs, and identity verification via tools like ID.me or DocuSign’s own KBA. Pricing for RON add-ons starts at metered rates, often bundled in Business Pro ($40/user/month annually) or Enterprise plans, with envelopes limited to ~100/year per user.

Beyond core eSignature, DocuSign offers Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM), a CLM suite that automates contract lifecycle from drafting to archiving. IAM includes AI-driven insights, workflow orchestration, and compliance monitoring, ideal for enterprises handling high-volume notarized docs. For RON specifically, it ensures state-law adherence via configurable templates, reducing legal risks in sectors like finance and healthcare.

Adobe Sign: A Competitor in Digital Notarization

Adobe Sign, part of Adobe Document Cloud, supports RON in compliant states through partnerships with notary networks. It leverages Adobe’s PDF expertise for secure, editable forms with embedded notarization. Pricing is seat-based, starting at $10/user/month for basics, scaling to Enterprise with custom RON features. Like DocuSign, it emphasizes ESIGN compliance but adds Acrobat integration for seamless editing pre-notarization.

Adobe Sign’s strength lies in creative industries, where visual workflows meet legal needs, though RON availability mirrors state laws without unique extensions.

eSignGlobal: Global Compliance Focus

eSignGlobal positions itself as a versatile eSignature provider with compliance in over 100 mainstream countries and regions worldwide. It excels in the Asia-Pacific (APAC), where electronic signature regulations are fragmented, high-standard, and strictly regulated—contrasting with the more framework-based ESIGN/eIDAS models in the US and Europe. APAC demands “ecosystem-integrated” standards, requiring deep hardware/API-level integrations with government-to-business (G2B) digital identities, a technical barrier far exceeding email verification or self-declaration in Western markets.

For US operations, eSignGlobal supports RON in permitted states via secure AV tools and audit trails, aligning with ESIGN/UETA. Its Essential plan, at $16.6/month (annual), allows sending up to 100 documents for electronic signature, unlimited user seats, and verification by access code—offering strong value on compliance foundations. It seamlessly integrates with Hong Kong’s iAM Smart and Singapore’s Singpass, enhancing APAC cross-border utility while competing head-on with DocuSign and Adobe Sign in global markets, including the US and Europe, through lower costs and faster setup.

Looking for a smarter alternative to DocuSign?

eSignGlobal delivers a more flexible and cost-effective eSignature solution with global compliance, transparent pricing, and faster onboarding.

👉 Start Free Trial

Comparing Key eSignature Platforms for RON and Compliance

To aid business evaluations, here’s a neutral comparison of DocuSign, Adobe Sign, eSignGlobal, and HelloSign (now Dropbox Sign) across core aspects. Data draws from 2025 public specs; actual fit depends on use case.

This table highlights trade-offs: DocuSign for robustness, Adobe for integration, eSignGlobal for cost-efficiency, and HelloSign for simplicity.

Business Implications and Final Thoughts

From a commercial viewpoint, RON’s state-by-state rollout accelerates digital transformation but demands vigilant compliance management. Platforms like DocuSign streamline this, yet costs and limits may prompt exploration of alternatives. For businesses with regional needs, especially in regulated APAC, eSignGlobal emerges as a neutral, compliant choice—offering DocuSign-like functionality at lower entry points while prioritizing ecosystem integrations. Evaluate based on your footprint for optimal ROI.