California Remote Online Notarization: Rules, Fees, and Status

California remote online notarization is authorized by law but not yet available. The Online Notarization Act, codified at Government Code sections 8231 through 8231.20, lets notaries notarize documents through audio-video communication, but no California notary can legally perform a RON until the Secretary of State finishes building the supporting technology and adopts implementing regulations. The statutory deadline for that work is January 1, 2030.¹

Where the Program Stands

Assembly Bill 1093, signed in 2022 and later amended by SB 696, created the framework. Two things have to happen before any California notary can offer RON services: the Secretary of State must certify the technology project as complete and publish that certification on its website, and it must adopt regulations covering audio-video communication, credential analysis, electronic journals and seals, identity proofing, platform and depository standards, record retention, and data security.¹

The January 1, 2030 deadline for the technology project can shift. If the Secretary of State notifies the Legislature and the Governor in writing by January 1, 2029, that the project is incomplete, the completion date can be extended.¹

If You Need a Document Notarized Remotely Right Now

No California-commissioned notary is authorized to perform RON at this time, regardless of what third-party platforms may advertise. In-person notarization remains the only option for a California notary.

Some signers use notaries commissioned in states that already allow RON. That can work, but acceptance is not automatic. Each jurisdiction decides what notarizations it will recognize, and some California filings may not accept a notarization performed under another state’s law. Before relying on an out-of-state RON, confirm with the recipient — the county recorder, title company, court, or agency — that it will accept the document.

How a Notary Becomes Eligible for RON

You need a standard California notary public commission first. Once you hold an active commission, you can apply separately to register with the Secretary of State as a notary authorized to perform online notarizations. An applicant for a new commission can also apply for RON registration at the same time.¹

The specific training content, fees, and operational requirements for RON registration will be set by the Secretary of State’s regulations, which have not been finalized. Watch the Secretary of State’s notary page for the rulemaking process, which will include a public comment period before the regulations take effect.

Identity Verification the Law Will Require

California’s statute requires three layers of identity verification during a RON session: remote presentation of a government-issued credential on camera, credential analysis (automated examination of the ID’s security features), and identity proofing of the signer.¹

The identity proofing must meet at least Identity Assurance Level 2 (IAL2) as defined by NIST Special Publication 800-63A. IAL2 requires evidence tying the claimed identity to a real person with a high degree of confidence, going beyond basic knowledge-based questions. If state or federal privacy laws (including California’s restrictions on driver’s license data) prevent full IAL2 compliance, the Secretary of State must adopt the most rigorous alternative that still complies with those laws.¹

Platforms and Depositories

RON sessions must take place on registered online notarization platforms. Companies that want to offer a RON platform in California must register with the Secretary of State before providing services to notaries. The same applies to depositories, which store audio-video recordings and electronic journals for notaries.¹

At minimum, platforms must support a continuous, synchronous audio-video feed where all participants can be clearly seen and understood throughout the session, and must accommodate signers with disabilities consistent with applicable accessibility laws. The Secretary of State’s regulations will set detailed technical requirements, including video quality, encryption, and data security standards. Platforms and depositories must also provide security for claims against them; the form of that security will be set by regulation.¹

Journals and Audio-Video Recordings

A RON notary must keep both a tangible sequential journal and one or more secure electronic journals of each online notarial act. The audio-video recording of every session must be retained on an encrypted storage device or encrypted online media, accessible only through secure multifactor authentication.¹

The retention period is not fixed in the statute. The law directs the Secretary of State to establish retention and storage standards through regulation. When a notary resigns, loses their commission, or lets their RON registration expire, all notarial records and papers must be delivered to the Secretary of State within 30 days.¹

Fees

The Secretary of State has authority to set the maximum fee a notary may charge for an online notarial act. That maximum has not yet been established and will come as part of the implementing regulations. California’s current maximum fee for a traditional in-person notarization is $15 per signature.

Legal Validity and Where Documents Will Be Accepted

Once the program is operational, documents notarized through California RON will carry the same legal weight as traditional in-person notarizations, provided all statutory protocols are followed. The electronic notarial certificate must be signed under penalty of perjury.²

The notary must hold a California commission and be registered for RON. The signer does not have to be in California and can appear from anywhere via audio-video communication. Acceptance by other states or countries is a separate question. Before using California RON for a document that will be filed or enforced elsewhere, confirm the receiving jurisdiction recognizes remotely notarized documents.

Penalties for Violations

A civil penalty of up to $1,500 per violation for willfully violating the notary public provisions related to online notarization.³
Misdemeanor liability for knowingly and without authorization obtaining, concealing, damaging, or destroying the electronic signature or seal hardware, software, or credentials that let a notary perform RON.³
Misdemeanor liability for a notary who willfully fails to deliver all notarial records to the Secretary of State within 30 days of resigning, being disqualified, being removed from office, or letting their registration expire.³
A platform or depository that negligently violates the statute can be sued for actual damages or statutory damages of $250 per violation, whichever is greater, plus injunctive relief. Injured parties have three years from the date they discover the violation to file suit.³

Violations can also give the Secretary of State grounds to refuse or revoke a notary’s RON registration.

1
California Legislative Information. California Government Code GOV 8231-8231.20 – Online Notarization
2
California Legislative Information. AB-1093 Remote Online Notaries Public
3
LegiScan. Bill Text CA SB696 2023-2024 Regular Session Amended