Notaries have always been the last line of trust in a real estate closing — the person in the room making sure signers are who they say they are, and that the paperwork is legally sound. As more of that work moves online, Remote Online Notarization (RON) is becoming one of the fastest ways for notaries to grow their business, serve more clients, and get paid for the expertise they already have.
Here's the good news: becoming a RON notary isn't complicated. It's a handful of clear steps. Below is what the process typically looks like, plus a few real-world tips from notaries who've already started.
Real-world tip: Because requirements vary by state, this guide covers the steps every RON notary follows. Use the National Notary Association's state-by-state RON guide to confirm the exact rules where you're commissioned.
RON laws vary by state. Some states require a separate RON authorization on top of your notary commission; others have specific training, technology, or recordkeeping requirements. Before you spend money on software or training, check with your state's commissioning authority (usually the Secretary of State) to confirm what's required where you operate.
In most states, you need an active traditional notary commission before you can apply for RON authorization. If you're brand new to the profession, becoming a traditional notary is your first step.
Many states require notaries to complete additional coursework before they'll authorize RON. Training usually covers:
Real-world tip: Even if your state doesn't require it, we'd recommend taking a course anyway. It'll make your first few sessions feel a lot less nerve-wracking.
RON runs on secure technology that connects you and the signer over live audio-video. Depending on your state, you may also need an electronic notary seal, a digital certificate, an electronic journal, and identity verification tools.
How Snapdocs Helps: Snapdocs RON gives you all of these — secure video, e-seal, digital certificate, e-journal, and built-in identity verification (IDV, KBA, and biometrics) — in one place, so you're not stitching together three different vendors before you can take your first signing session.
Real-world tip: Before your first live session, do a full dry run: check your lighting, test your webcam angle, and make sure your internet is stable. Signers get nervous about the process too so a notary who looks and sounds confident on camera puts them at ease fast.
Some states require a surety bond, Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance, or both, before you can get RON-authorized. Requirements vary, so confirm what your state needs before you apply and budget for it as a cost of getting started.
Once training and technology are squared away, submit your application. States may ask for proof of training, information about your technology provider, and bond/insurance documentation.
Real-world tip: Processing times vary widely by state, so if you're targeting a specific start date, apply earlier than you think you need to.
Once you're approved, you're ready to take on RON assignments. For most notaries, this means serving clients who want the convenience of signing online, cutting travel time out of your day, and expanding how far your business can reach.
How Snapdocs Helps: Getting authorized is the hard part — growing from there is where Snapdocs pays off. Here are 3 ways for you to use Snapdocs:
Join the Notary Network for Free: Get access to signing requests – both mobile and RON – from our network of 130+ lenders and 37,000+ title branches, so you're not hunting for your first RON client on your own. The busywork is handled for you too: documents flow automatically and pass straight back into the order the moment a signing's done, no downloading, re-uploading, or manual scanbacks. A quality score system means notaries who deliver consistently get more order flow, not just whoever logs in first. And, RON orders show up right alongside your mobile signings — no separate app, no extra login.
Already a Snapdocs Notary Network Member? When you’re ready to become a Snapdocs RON notary, just log in to Notary Connect, select “Become a Snapdocs RON notary: Sign up for free” on the left side of your Notary Connect dashboard to create your free linked Snapdocs RON account.
Build your Own RON Business: Not ready for signings from Snapdocs clients? No problem. Snapdocs RON is also your dedicated platform for running RON, eSign, and IPEN on your own book of business, with transparent, predictable fees and simple workflows built for repeat digital signing work. Every session runs through one consolidated workflow secured with built-in ID verification, and AI-powered document tagging to speed up prep and cut down on errors before you even start the signing.
Every state has its own rules, but the path is the same everywhere: keep your commission active, complete any required training, get compliant technology, and apply for authorization. Once you're in, RON gives you a faster, more flexible way to grow the notary business you want.