Remote Online Notary (RON): Notarize From Anywhere

Not every signer can get to a notary, or have a notary come to them. Some are travelling, some live overseas, and some are in a different state from the person who needs the document. Remote online notarization (RON) solves that. With Signed and Sorted, you appear before a Michigan-commissioned notary over secure, live audio-video from anywhere in the U.S. or abroad, sign electronically, and receive a notarized electronic document, without leaving your home or office.

Call (248) 975-7129 or request a RON session.

How Remote Online Notarization Works

1. Send us your document. Tell us what it is, who is signing, and where it will be used. We set up the session and send you a secure link.
2. Verify your identity. Before the session, each signer goes through multi-factor identity verification, typically knowledge-based questions plus credential analysis of a government-issued photo ID.
3. Meet the notary on video. The notary confirms your identity and that you’re signing willingly and aware of what you’re signing.
4. Sign electronically. You sign the document on screen while the notary watches.
5. Notarization. The notary applies an electronic seal and digital certificate, which makes the document tamper-evident.
6. Receive your document. You download the completed notarized document. The session is recorded and logged in an encrypted electronic journal, as required.

What You’ll Need

• A computer, or a tablet or phone with a camera, microphone and reliable internet connection
• A current, valid government-issued photo ID
• A quiet, well-lit, private space for the session
• The document in electronic form (PDF works well), unsigned
• Any other signers or witnesses available to join

Not comfortable with the technology? We’ll walk you through the setup and check your device and connection before the session starts.

Who Uses Remote Online Notary

• Americans living or travelling abroad who need a U.S. notarization without finding an embassy appointment.
• Families spread across states: for example, siblings signing estate or property documents from different cities.
• Busy professionals who don’t have time for an in-person appointment.
• Businesses getting contracts, affidavits and corporate documents signed by people in several locations.
• Signers who prefer not to meet in person, for health or other reasons.

Documents Commonly Notarized Online

• Affidavits and sworn statements
• Powers of attorney, where the receiving party accepts electronic notarization
• Contracts, agreements and business documents
• Consent forms and declarations
• Some real estate documents, where the lender, title company and county recorder accept them

Important: acceptance is decided by whoever receives the document: a bank, court, county, agency or foreign authority. Some still require original wet-ink notarization. Wills, certain estate documents, and some vital-records and government forms often have special rules. Check with the receiving party before booking, and we’ll help you work out whether RON or an in-person mobile notary appointment is the better fit.

Security and Compliance

Signed and Sorted performs remote online notarizations in Michigan under the Michigan Law on Notarial Acts (MCL 55.286b). Our RON process has the same safeguards as an in-person notarization, plus digital protections:

• Multi-factor identity verification and credential analysis before the session.
• Encrypted audio-video communication.
• Electronic seal and digital certificate: any change after notarization is detectable.
• Recorded session and encrypted electronic journal, creating an audit trail.

RON and Apostilles

A document notarized online can often still be authenticated for international use. The apostille comes from the authority of the state where the notary is commissioned. If your document is headed abroad, see our apostille service and tell us the destination country when you book, so we can plan the right route from the start.

Online or In Person?

RON is ideal when signers are far apart or far from us. In-person signing is still the better choice when the receiving party requires wet ink, when a signer isn’t comfortable with technology, or for full loan signings where the lender requires paper. We offer both, nationwide. For in-person appointments, we coordinate signings nationwide.

Based in Southfield, Michigan. Local pages: Southfield, Oakland County and Wayne County.

Common Questions About RON

Is an online notarization legally valid?

Yes. We perform remote online notarizations under Michigan law, with the required identity verification, recorded session and electronic journal. Each recipient still decides whether it accepts electronically notarized documents, so check with them before you book.

How long does a session take?

For a single document with one signer, the session itself is often short. Identity verification and connection checks add a few minutes. Multiple signers or long documents take longer.

Can signers in different places join the same session?

Often, yes. Tell us how many signers there are and where they’re located when you book, and we’ll confirm how to set up the session.

Why Signed and Sorted

Our founder, Joshua Gardner, is a UK-qualified solicitor and an NNA Certified Notary Signing Agent, with ALTA and MLTA memberships and $1 million in coverage. We’re available around the clock, which helps when you’re signing from another time zone. More answers are on our FAQ page.

Book a Remote Online Notarization

Call (248) 975-7129, email josh@signedandsorted.com or contact us to set up your session. Serving signers nationwide.