NotarySeptember 2026

Remote Online Notarization (RON) vs. Mobile Notary: Which Is Right for You?

With modern technology, getting a document notarised no longer means taking time off work or travelling across New York City. Here's how Remote Online Notarisation (RON) and mobile notary services compare — and how to choose the right option for your situation.

With modern technology, getting a document notarised no longer requires taking time off work or travelling across New York City. Today, you can choose between a mobile notary who comes directly to your location or Remote Online Notarisation (RON) conducted over a secure video link.

Both options are designed to make notarisation more convenient — but they work differently, and the right choice depends on your document, your location, and how the notarised document will be used.

What Is Remote Online Notarisation (RON)?

Remote Online Notarisation allows a notary public to notarise your documents over a secure, live video call. Instead of meeting in person, you and the notary connect through an authorised platform. You sign your documents electronically using a digital signature, and the notary applies a digital notary seal.

To verify your identity, RON platforms typically use two methods:

**ID upload** — you photograph and upload a government-issued ID

**Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA)** — you answer a series of questions drawn from public records to confirm your identity

The entire session is recorded and stored as required by law.

What Is a Mobile Notary?

A mobile notary travels to your chosen location — your home, office, hospital, hotel, or any other convenient place — to notarise your documents in person. You sign physical documents in the notary's presence, and the notary verifies your identity by physically inspecting your government-issued ID.

Mobile notary services are especially useful when you need someone to come to you, when the document must remain in physical form, or when the receiving party requires an ink signature and a traditional notary seal.

Key Differences at a Glance

| | Mobile Notary | Remote Online Notarisation (RON) |

|---|---|---|

| Setting | In-person (home, office, hospital, hotel) | 100% digital via secure video call |

| Documents | Physical documents | Electronic PDFs with digital signatures |

| ID Verification | Physical inspection of government ID | ID upload + Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) |

| Best for | Real estate deeds, original physical forms, hospital visits | Urgent remote needs, out-of-state signers, busy schedules |

When to Choose Remote Online Notarisation

RON may be the right choice when:

You are travelling out of state or abroad and need a New York notary immediately

Your recipient accepts electronic signatures and digital notary seals

You prefer a fast, paperless appointment completed from your computer or smartphone

You need a same-day or after-hours appointment and can't accommodate an in-person visit

You're on a tight schedule and want to avoid travel time entirely

When to Choose a Mobile Notary

A mobile notary may be the better option when:

Your document must be signed on paper (for example, certain real estate deeds or original legal instruments)

The receiving party — such as a court, government agency, or financial institution — requires a traditional ink signature and physical notary seal

You're in a hospital, care facility, or other location where in-person service is more appropriate

You're signing alongside other parties who need to be present in the same room

You simply prefer the reassurance of meeting someone face to face

Does It Matter Which State You're In?

Yes — RON availability and requirements vary by state. New York authorises Remote Online Notarisation, but the rules around which documents can be notarised remotely, and whether the receiving party will accept a RON-notarised document, can vary. Always confirm with the organisation or institution that will be receiving your document before choosing RON.

For documents that will be used internationally or submitted to a government agency, it's especially important to verify acceptance in advance.

Which Option Does Notary & Fast POA Offer?

Notary & Fast POA offers both options — mobile notary services and Remote Online Notarisation — so you can choose what works best for your situation.

We serve Manhattan, Queens, Great Neck, Syosset, Nassau County, and the surrounding New York metro area, seven days a week including evenings. Same-day and emergency appointments are available.

If you have a document that needs to be notarised — or if you're not sure which option is right for you and just want to talk it through — we're ready to help.

Call or text 888-884-1778, or book your appointment online at fastpoa.com.

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*Disclaimer: Notary & Fast POA and its mobile notaries are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice, draft legal instruments, or advise on legal rights. For legal guidance or assistance selecting specific legal forms, please consult a qualified attorney.*

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