RON vs. Traditional Notary: Which Is Right for You?

Q: Are RON documents accepted in other states?

Yes. Virginia online notarizations are legally valid nationwide under federal law and interstate reciprocity agreements. Courts, recording offices, and lenders across the U.S. accept them.

Monique Edwards-Robinson
Oct 17
3 min read

Updated: Oct 19

RON vs. Traditional Notarization

Both remote online notarization and in-person notarization are legally valid. The choice depends on your needs for convenience, security, compliance, and cost.

Notarization has always been about protecting documents and preventing fraud. Today, professionals can choose between a remote online notary and a traditional in-person notary. Both are valid, but which is best for your situation? This guide compares the key differences to help you decide.

Convenience

With online notary services, clients can join from anywhere—whether they are across town or halfway across the world. No travel, no scheduling conflicts, no lost time.

Traditional notarization requires everyone to be physically present, which often means:

Travel time and costs
Scheduling conflicts across multiple parties
Lost productivity
Difficulty coordinating across time zones or states

Security

An electronic notary session includes multi-factor identity verification (KBA + credential analysis), biometric verification, and tamper-evident seals. Learn more about how RON works and the security layers involved.

Traditional notarization relies mainly on a quick visual ID check.

RON Security Features:

Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA)
Credential analysis for ID fraud detection
Biometric facial recognition
Tamper-evident digital seals
Full audio-video recording
Complete audit trail

For most professionals, the enhanced protections of digital notarization provide greater confidence and compliance.

Compliance and Recognition

Both methods are legally recognized in Virginia. Virginia online notarizations are legally valid under Virginia law and recognized by most courts, agencies, and financial institutions nationwide, making RON useful for attorneys and businesses handling out-of-state or international matters. However, always verify acceptance with the receiving institution before filing.

RON documents are accepted by:

Courts nationwide
County recording offices
Lenders and financial institutions
Government agencies
Real estate title companies

Cost and Efficiency

Traditional notarizations may feel familiar, but hidden costs add up quickly:

Travel time (notary or client)
Printing and document preparation
Scheduling delays
Rescheduling due to conflicts

For firms handling multiple transactions—including business document notarization or remote notary for contracts—RON often saves money in the long run while improving turnaround time.

Quick Comparison: RON vs. Traditional Notarization

*Feature*	*RON*	*Traditional*
Convenience	Join from anywhere	Must be in-person
Speed	15-30 minutes, same-day available	Scheduling delays common
Security	Multi-factor verification + recording	Visual ID check only
Cost	No travel fees	Travel + time costs
Compliance	Recognized nationwide; verify with receiving institution	Varies by jurisdiction
Documentation	Permanent audit trail	Paper journal (varies)
Best For	Flexibility, speed, security	Clients preferring paper

Which Should You Choose?

Choose RON when you need:

Flexibility and convenience (signers in different locations).
Speed (same-day or next-day appointments)
Enhanced security and compliance documentation
Cost savings (no travel, faster turnaround)
Out-of-state or international signers
Multiple documents or signers

Choose Traditional Notarization when:

Clients prefer paper documents
Internet access is unavailable
Specific documents require in-person handling (rare)
You want a familiar, in-person experience

Frequently Asked Questions

What documents can be notarized online in Virginia?

Most documents can be notarized online, including powers of attorney, deeds, mortgages, trusts, and business contracts.

Exceptions:

Wills must be notarized in person under Virginia law
Some documents may require physical witnessing or ink signatures, depending on the document type or receiving institution
Always confirm with the document recipient (court, agency, lender) that they accept electronically notarized documents

When in doubt, contact us to discuss your specific document before scheduling.

How do I know the notary is legitimate?

Every state maintains a public database of commissioned notaries through the Secretary of State (or Secretary of Commonwealth). You can verify any notary's credentials by checking your state's official database.

What happens if there's a technical issue during the session?

Our notary provides real-time technical support. If an issue can't be resolved, we reschedule at no additional charge and ensure a smooth experience.

Are RON documents accepted in other states?

Virginia online notarizations are legally valid under Virginia law and recognized by most courts, recording offices, and lenders across the U.S. However, acceptance policies vary by jurisdiction and institution. Before filing or submitting, verify with the receiving party that they accept electronically notarized documents.

Is RON more expensive than traditional notarization?

No. RON pricing is competitive and often saves money when you factor in travel costs, time, and scheduling efficiency. Plus, same-day appointments are often available.

Try Virginia RON today and see how modern notarization compares to traditional methods for your legal or business needs.

Ready to experience the convenience and security of RON? Schedule your session today.

Still deciding? Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss which option is best for your situation.

Monique Edwards-Robinson