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Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Florida

Florida was among the first states to authorize RON. Here is how a session actually works, and what a notary must do to offer it.

Published 2026-08-01 · Updated 2026-08-01 · Remote Online Notarization

On this page
  1. What RON is
  2. RON vs IPEN vs traditional
  3. What a notary needs to offer RON
  4. Fees and limits
  5. Frequently asked questions

What RON is

Remote Online Notarization lets a notary and a signer complete a notarization over live audio-video from different locations. It is authorised in Florida under Chapter 117, Part II. The signer's identity is confirmed through credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication, the entire session is recorded, and the recording is retained.

RON is not the same as emailing a scanned document to a notary. It is a live, recorded, identity-verified session on an approved platform.

RON vs IPEN vs traditional

Three formats get conflated constantly:

  • Traditional — paper document, wet ink signature, physical seal, everyone in the same room.
  • IPEN (in-person electronic notarization) — everyone is still in the same room, but the document and signatures are electronic. Authorised by §117.021, and it requires no separate registration beyond your standard commission. §117.021(4) gives the notary the right to select the technology.
  • RON — the signer is remote, appearing by audio-video. This requires separate registration with the Department of State.

The difference that matters: remote means registration; electronic-but-in-person does not.

What a notary needs to offer RON

Under §117.225, a Florida notary registering as an online notary public must:

  • Hold a current traditional notary commission
  • Complete a state-approved RON education course
  • Obtain a separate $25,000 surety bond — this is in addition to the $7,500 traditional bond
  • Carry errors & omissions insurance of at least $25,000
  • Register with the Department of State and pay the filing fee
  • Use a Department-registered RON technology provider

The trap: your RON registration expires on the same day as your underlying notary commission, regardless of when you registered it. There is no grace period. If your commission lapses, you reapply as a notary and then reapply for RON from scratch.

Fees and limits

A Florida notary may charge up to $25 per online notarial act under §117.275 — higher than the $10 traditional cap, reflecting the platform and retention costs. Travel is irrelevant for RON, but platform fees, document handling, and signing-agent services remain separate and uncapped.

Not everything can be done remotely. Certain documents and county recording practices still require wet signatures, and in real estate the lender and title underwriter decide the format per file — not the notary and not the signer.

Frequently asked questions

Is remote online notarization legal in Florida?

Yes. Florida authorises remote online notarization under Chapter 117, Part II of the Florida Statutes. The notary must be separately registered as an online notary public with the Florida Department of State.

How much does a remote online notarization cost in Florida?

Florida caps the online notarial act at $25 under Fla. Stat. 117.275, compared to $10 for a traditional act. Platform fees and any signing-agent services are separate and not capped.

What does a Florida notary need to perform remote online notarizations?

A current traditional commission, a state-approved RON education course, a separate $25,000 surety bond, at least $25,000 in errors and omissions insurance, registration with the Department of State, and use of a registered RON technology provider.

Does a Florida RON registration expire with the notary commission?

Yes. The online notary registration expires on the same day as the underlying notary commission regardless of when it was filed, and there is no grace period. If the commission lapses, both must be applied for again.

What is the difference between RON and IPEN?

RON means the signer appears remotely by audio-video and requires separate state registration. IPEN, in-person electronic notarization, means everyone is physically present but the document and signature are electronic. IPEN is authorised under Fla. Stat. 117.021 and requires no separate registration.

Disclaimer. Nothing on this page is legal advice. State Notary Agent is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, and a Florida notary public may not give legal advice, select documents, or explain their legal effect. Statutes change. Verify anything you rely on against the primary sources linked here, and consult a Florida attorney for advice about your situation.

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