Can I Notarize a Document for Someone in Another State?

This is one of the most common questions we receive, and the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. The short version: a Florida RON notary can notarize for signers located in other states, but the document's ultimate use and the receiving jurisdiction's rules determine whether that notarization will be accepted.

Florida Law: Where the Notary Must Be

Under Florida law, what matters is where the notary is located, not the signer. A Florida-commissioned RON notary must be physically located in Florida when performing the notarization. The signer can be anywhere with internet access.

A registered Florida online notary can work with a signer outside Florida while the notary remains in Florida. Confirm the signer’s location, consent to a Florida notarial act, identification method, document eligibility, and recipient acceptance before booking.

The Receiving Jurisdiction Question

The more important question is whether the receiving party: a bank, court, government agency, or foreign entity: will accept a Florida RON notarization for their purposes. Most will, with specific conditions:

• Other U.S. states: ask the recipient whether it accepts the proposed Florida online notarization for that document.
• Federal agencies: follow the specific agency’s form and submission instructions; do not assume every agency accepts RON.
• Foreign countries: this is where variation exists. Some countries require a consular notarization rather than a domestic one. For documents bound for a foreign country, confirm the destination country's requirements first.

Practical Uses

Common uses include an out-of-state signer completing a document needed in Florida or a military family arranging a remote signing. The notary and document recipient must confirm that RON is suitable for the particular transaction.

By Gustavo Coutin, Gulf Coast Notary Pros. Published and updated September 28, 2026.