New York Remote Online Notarization

How New York Authorized RON

New York permanently authorized Remote Online Notarization through Executive Law Section 135-c and the implementing regulations under Title 19 NYCRR Part 182. These rules replaced the temporary pandemic-era executive orders with a permanent statutory framework that went into effect January 25, 2023.

The key distinction in New York: the licensing designation is "Electronic Notary Public." Under this single commission, you can perform two types of acts — In-Person Electronic Notarization (IPEN), where the signer is physically present but signs digitally, and Remote Online Notarization (RON), where the signer appears via live audio-video technology.

Prerequisites

You must already hold an active traditional New York notary commission before registering as an electronic notary. This is an additional registration, not an alternative path.

The registration happens through NY Business Express — the same portal used for your initial commission application. The fee is $60, separate from and in addition to your traditional commission fee. Once approved, your electronic notary registration runs concurrently with your traditional commission term.

Technology You'll Need

RON in New York requires three technology components:

Credential analysis: An automated third-party service that verifies the signer's government-issued ID is authentic — checking for tampering, confirming the document isn't expired, and matching the bearer's photo.

Identity proofing: Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) that confirms the signer's identity using dynamic questions drawn from public and proprietary databases. The signer answers questions about their credit history, address history, or other personal details that a fraudster wouldn't know.

Secure audio-video communication: A live, uninterrupted video session recorded in its entirety. The recording must be retained for 10 years.

You also need an X.509 digital certificate — a cryptographic credential that creates your electronic signature and seal. These typically cost $60 to $120 and must be renewed periodically.

Commercial RON platforms package these components into subscription services. Monthly fees generally range from $30 to $90, with some platforms charging per-transaction fees of $5 to $15 instead of or in addition to the subscription.

Where You and the Signer Must Be

You must be physically located within New York State during the video session. There is no flexibility on this — if you're traveling out of state, you cannot perform a RON even if your New York commission is active.

The signer, however, can be located anywhere in the world. If the signer is outside the United States, they must verbally confirm during the session that the document relates to a matter before a U.S. court, government entity, or property located within the United States.

Fee Structure

Electronic notaries can charge up to $25 per electronic notarial act — a significant increase over the $2 cap for traditional in-person work. If you need to "paper out" a remotely notarized document (print it and attach a physical Certificate of Authenticity for county recording), the certificate fee is capped at $2.

Whether the $25 fee makes RON profitable depends on your volume. Between platform subscriptions, digital certificate costs, and the technology overhead, compare your expected transaction volume with the costs before registering.

Journal Requirements for RON

Electronic notaries have stricter journal requirements than traditional notaries. Each entry needs seven fields instead of five — the standard five core fields plus the communication technology used and the identity verification provider's name.

The 10-year audio-video recording retention requirement is in addition to the journal entries. You must store both the written record and the complete session recording for a full decade.

Papering Out for County Recording

If a remotely notarized document needs to be filed with a County Clerk — which is common for deeds, mortgages, and other recorded instruments — you must "paper out" the document.

This means printing the electronically notarized document, executing a physical Certificate of Authenticity under Executive Law Section 135-c(6)(d), signing it in ink, and attaching it to the printed document. The County Clerk then files the paper version as if it were a traditionally notarized document.

For a complete guide to RON registration, technology evaluation, and compliance requirements, get the New York notary commission toolkit.

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