Remote Online Notarization (RON) for Personal Declarations: What to Expect

What RON is

Remote Online Notarization (RON) is a notarial act conducted by a commissioned notary over a secure audio-video session. The signer, the witnesses (if any), and the notary are all remote. The session is recorded. The notary applies a digital seal to the document.

RON is now authorized in the majority of U.S. states. For our work, the notary holds a commission in Arizona and conducts RON sessions under Arizona's RON statute (A.R.S. § 41-371 et seq.), which is broadly accepted by recording offices nationally.

Why we use RON

Three reasons:

1. You don't have to travel. A Declaration of Autonomy is not the kind of document that should require taking a day off work.
2. Witnesses can join from anywhere. The omnibus version requires two witnesses; remote witnessing eliminates the logistics.
3. The session is auditable. RON sessions are recorded and retained per statute, which is stronger evidence than an in-person session would be if the notarial act were ever challenged.

What you'll need on the day

• A stable internet connection
• A device with a working camera and microphone (laptop strongly preferred over phone)
• Government-issued photo ID, valid and unexpired
• Quiet space for ~30 minutes
• The ability to hold the ID up to the camera clearly

What happens during the session

1. Identity verification — the notary checks your ID, asks knowledge-based authentication questions (KBA), and confirms your appearance matches.
2. Document review — the notary confirms you've reviewed and approved the document.
3. Signing — you sign electronically; witnesses do the same.
4. Notarial act — the notary applies the digital seal and notarial certificate.
5. Delivery — the completed PDF is delivered to your portal usually within an hour.

The session itself takes 15–25 minutes for a standard declaration, longer for the omnibus with witnesses.