The short answer
- Remote online notarization lets a notary verify your identity and witness your signature over a live audio-video session, without you being in the same room.
- Under Florida law, an online notary physically located in Florida may perform an online notarization regardless of whether the principal is physically located in Florida, using audio-video communication and recording the session.
- Rules differ by state: whether it is allowed, for which documents and under what conditions.
- An apostille is a separate certificate, under the Hague Apostille Convention, that certifies the authenticity of the signature, the capacity of the signer and the identity of the seal on a public document.
- At MyUSAService, notarization costs $79 within the USA and $100 if you are located outside the U.S. (price as of September 2026).
Table of contents
A signature that has to be notarized is a common obstacle for founders abroad: a bank asks for a notarized document, a contract needs a notary, a foreign authority asks for an apostille. Remote online notarization removes the need to travel, as long as the state and the document allow it.
This guide explains what it is, where the rules come from and how it relates to the apostille. It is general information, not legal advice.
What remote online notarization is
In an online notarization, the notary and the signer meet by live audio-video communication. The notary confirms the signer’s identity, witnesses the signature and completes the notarial act electronically. Florida law, for example, requires the notary to confirm the identity of the principal and any witness by audio-video technology, at the time the signature is taken, and to record the two-way session.
Rules depend on the state
Notarization is regulated by each state. States differ on whether they allow online notarization, on which documents it covers and on the technology and record-keeping it requires.
Florida law provides an example that matters to non-residents. Section 117.265 says that an online notary public physically located in Florida may perform an online notarization that meets the requirements of the law, regardless of whether the principal or any witnesses are physically located in Florida at the time. Other states set their own conditions. Before you rely on an online notarization, check that it is valid for your document and for the place where it will be used. [Probabile]
When you need an apostille as well
A notarization and an apostille are different steps:
- The notarization certifies that you signed, and that your identity was verified.
- The apostille is a certificate issued under the Hague Apostille Convention. It certifies the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the signer acted and the identity of the seal or stamp on the document, so that the document can be used in another country that is a party to the Convention.
An online notarization does not replace the apostille when one is required. For documents notarized in a U.S. state, the apostille is usually issued by that state’s authority, often the Secretary of State: check the state’s process and timing. [Probabile] If the destination country is not a party to the Convention, a different legalization procedure applies. Ask the authority that will receive the document what it requires.
Documents founders often need notarized
- Bank forms and account documents.
- Powers of attorney.
- Company documents, such as an operating agreement, an amendment or a resolution, when a bank, a counterparty or an authority asks.
- Documents for a foreign authority, sometimes with an apostille.
Requirements change by recipient. Ask who will receive the document, and what form they accept, before you notarize.
Before the session
- Confirm what the recipient accepts: online notarization, an apostille, or an original signature.
- Prepare a valid photo ID. Have it ready, and make sure the name matches the document.
- Do not sign in advance, unless the notary tells you to. Signing usually happens during the session.
- Use a stable connection, a camera and a quiet place.
- Check that the document is complete. A notary cannot notarize an incomplete document.
Common mistakes
- Assuming that any online notarization is valid everywhere.
- Forgetting that an apostille is a separate step.
- Notarizing before asking the recipient what it accepts.
- Names that differ between the ID and the document.
What it costs with MyUSAService
MyUSAService offers a public notary service, available 24/7, at $79 per notarization within the USA and $100 per notarization if you are located outside the U.S. Prices as of September 2026, from the service page. MyUSAService is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice: check with the recipient of the document, or a lawyer, what is valid for your case.
Frequently asked questions
What is remote online notarization?
A notarization done over a live audio-video session, with identity verification and a recorded session, instead of in person.
Can I get a document notarized from another country?
In some states, yes. Florida law lets a Florida online notary perform an online notarization whether or not the signer is in Florida. Check the rules of the state and the document.
Do I still need an apostille?
If the document will be used in another country that requires one, yes: the apostille is a separate certificate.
How much does notarization cost at MyUSAService?
$79 within the USA and $100 if you are located outside the U.S., at September 2026 prices.
Is an online notarization valid for every document?
Not necessarily. States and recipients set their own conditions.
Need documents notarized from abroad?
Talk for 30 minutes, free of charge, with a MyUSAService consultant.
- No obligation
- Consultation in English
- 30 minutes
- We review the options available for non-residents
Sources
- The Florida Statutes, section 117.265, Online notarization procedures
- Hague Conference on Private International Law, Apostille Convention (1961)
- MyUSAService, Public notary service
First published January 19, 2026. This article is general information, not tax advice for your situation. Public notary service | Book a free call
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