Remote online notarization has been legal in Florida since January 2020. According to the National Association of Secretaries of State, 47 states and the District of Columbia now have laws allowing some form of RON. Yet the confusion around it has not gone away.
People still question whether an online notarization will hold up legally. Others avoid it over security concerns. Some simply do not know what an online notary actually does or how it differs from a regular video call.
The following five myths are the ones that come up most often along with what is actually true about each one.
What Is an Online Notary?
An online notary also called a Remote Online Notary (RON), is a notary public who has received a separate commission from the Florida Secretary of State specifically authorizing remote notarizations. It is not a standard notary using a video call. It requires additional training, state approval and use of a certified platform that meets Florida’s security and recordkeeping requirements under Chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes.
The notarial act follows the same legal standards as an in-person appointment. The notary verifies your identity, confirms you understand what you are signing and witnesses your signature through a secure audio-visual session.The step-by-step process for remote online notarization in Florida differs from a standard appointment in a few specific ways that are worth understanding before you book.
Myth 1: Online Notarization Cannot Verify Who You Are
If a notary cannot physically examine your ID, how can they confirm your identity?
Remote online notarization uses a two-layer verification process. Before you connect with a notary, you complete knowledge-based authentication, which draws on financial and public records to ask questions only you would be likely to answer correctly. You also photograph your government-issued ID for a credential analysis scan through the platform’s database.
You do not reach the video session until both checks pass. Once connected, the notary reviews your ID visually as well. This process is more structured than a notary examining your license across a table.
Myth 2: Remote Online Notarization Makes Fraud Easier
This concern usually comes from a general distrust of online transactions and it is worth separating the two things.
Internet fraud works because many digital interactions carry no accountability. RON works in the opposite direction. Every session is fully recorded. Once the notarial act is complete, the document receives a tamper-evident seal that makes any subsequent alteration detectable. That recording is stored securely and is available if the document’s validity is ever questioned.
A traditional paper notarization produces no recording. If a dispute comes up later, there is nothing to review beyond the notary’s journal entry. The digital record that RON creates is a meaningful protection, not a weakness.
Myth 3: A Notary Cannot Detect Duress Over a Screen
Some people argue that someone off-camera could be pressuring the signer without the notary knowing.
This concern applies equally to in-person notarizations. No notary can detect coercion that developed over weeks through family pressure, financial threats, or manipulation that happened well before the signing appointment. That limitation exists whether the session is remote or in person.
What RON adds is a complete recording of the session. If something about the signer’s behavior during the appointment raised concern, that footage can be reviewed by attorneys, law enforcement, or a court. That option does not exist after a traditional notarization is complete.
Myth 4: Online Notarizations Are Not Legally Valid
This is the myth that causes the most hesitation and for the majority of documents it is simply not accurate.
Documents notarized through a valid Florida RON commission carry the same legal authority as in-person notarizations under Chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes. Banks, courts and government offices accept them. Power of attorney forms, real estate deeds, loan closing paperwork affidavits and healthcare directives all qualify.
There are narrow exceptions. Some estate documents such as wills have specific requirements that vary by state. If you are submitting to a foreign institution, confirming acceptance in advance is advisable. A Florida notary public can tell you upfront whether your document qualifies for remote notarization or requires an in-person appointment.
Myth 5: Any Notary Can Notarize Documents Online
This one matters for your protection.
A standard Florida notary commission does not authorize remote online notarization. To perform RON legally a notary must apply for a separate online commission, complete additional state-required training and conduct sessions through a state-approved platform. A standard video call on any application does not satisfy Florida’s requirements and documents notarized that way are not valid regardless of how official they appear.
When using any RON service, confirming the notary holds an active Florida online commission is a necessary step. This misconception along with several others, is part of a wider pattern of misunderstandings people carry into notary appointments that end up creating problems with their documents.
The Actual Benefits of Remote Online Notarization
The practical advantages are straightforward. You can get your documents notarized from home, your office, or any location with a reliable internet connection. Completed documents are available digitally right after the session. There is no travel and no coordinating around a physical address.
For people with demanding schedules or documents involving parties in different locations, RON removes real barriers. For real estate closings and loan signings, it keeps the process moving without requiring everyone in the same room.
Which Option Is Right for Your Document
RON works well for many situations, but it is not always the appropriate choice. Some documents require in-person notarization by law. Others involve circumstances where a face-to-face appointment, or a mobile notary coming to your location, is the more practical route.
The right approach depends on what the document requires and where you are. Getting that clarified before the appointment saves time and avoids having to redo the notarization. If you are unsure which option fits your situation, Notary Plus More is available to answer questions before you commit to anything. You can reach the team at (561) 218-4573 or visit notaryplusmore.com.
