Remote Online Notarization in New York: How It Works

Reviewed October 2026 by Katherine Perron, New York State Notary Public

New York permits electronic notarization, where the signer and the notary meet over live audio and video instead of in person. It took effect at the start of February 2023 and replaced the temporary pandemic-era remote ink rules.

The rules in brief

• The notary must be registered. A commissioned notary has to register separately with the Department of State as an electronic notary before performing any electronic notarial act.
• The notary must be physically in New York at the time of the notarization.
• The signer can be anywhere, including out of state.
• Identity is verified electronically, through identity proofing against outside data sources and analysis of the signer's government ID, unless the notary personally knows the signer.
• The session is recorded on audio and video, and the notary keeps the recording along with the journal entry.
• The fee is capped at $25 per electronic notarial act.

When remote makes sense

• The signer is out of state or overseas and the document will be accepted with an electronic notarization.
• Several signers are in different places.
• The document is simple and the recipient has confirmed they accept electronic notarization.

When in-person is still better

• The recipient wants ink. Some county clerks, courts, foreign agencies, and lenders still require a wet-ink original. Always ask the recipient first.
• The signer is not comfortable with technology or does not have ID that can pass electronic verification.
• Witnesses are required and need to be in the room.
• The document is headed for an apostille. Confirm the path before you choose.

Every notary keeps a journal now

The same set of rules requires all New York notaries, including those who only work in person, to keep a record of every notarial act and retain it for at least ten years. If your notary writes down your ID type and the time of the signing, that is the law working as intended.

I am a registered New York electronic notary and offer online notarization. If you are not sure which option fits your document, call or text (845) 237-4645 and I will tell you what will work.

Common questions

This guide is general information about New York notarial practice. It is not legal advice. For advice about your situation, consult a New York attorney.