Notary Basics
Three ways to get a document notarized, what makes each one different, and how to choose the option that fits your situation.
You know you need something notarized. The next question may be less obvious: do you need an online notary, a mobile notary, or a traditional notary near you?
All three can provide legitimate notarial services, but the experience can look very different. Where you meet the notary, how you sign, whether travel is involved, and the requirements of your document can all help determine which option makes the most sense.
Online, Mobile, and Traditional Notary: What's the Difference?
The simplest difference is where you and the notary are located during the appointment.
| Option | How You Meet | Typical Format | Travel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Notary (RON) | Live audio-video session | Electronic document and signatures | No in-person travel |
| Mobile Notary | The notary comes to you in person | Often paper and wet-ink signatures | The notary travels |
| Traditional Notary | You visit the notary in person | Often paper and wet-ink signatures | You travel |
A mobile notary is still an in-person notary. “Mobile” means the notary travels to you. With Remote Online Notarization, the signer and notary are in different physical locations and meet through qualifying technology.
Can I Notarize a Document Online?
In many situations, yes. Remote Online Notarization (RON) allows an eligible document to be notarized while you and the notary communicate through a secure live audio-video session.
It can be especially helpful when you would rather not travel, need more flexible scheduling, or are coordinating with people in different locations.
For the right document, online notarization can make an important task much easier to fit into real life.
How Does Remote Online Notarization Work?
A remote notarization is more than a regular video call. The session takes place through technology designed to support identity verification, electronic signing, the notarial act, and required recordkeeping.
A Typical RON Appointment
- Submit your document for review
- Complete the required identity-verification steps
- Join the notary in a secure live audio-video session
- Complete the required signing, acknowledgment, oath, or affirmation
- The notary completes the electronic notarial certificate
- You receive the completed electronic document
You do not need to know the entire process before your appointment. A notary can guide you through the steps that apply to your session.
Do I Need a “Notary Near Me” If I Use an Online Notary?
Not necessarily. With RON, the signer and notary do not have to be physically together, so your options are not always limited to the closest office or mobile notary.
Location still matters legally. The notary must follow the law governing the commission being used, and the signer's location, the document, platform requirements, and where the document will be used can affect whether the appointment is eligible.
How Do the Costs Compare?
The total cost of a notarization can depend on more than the notarial act itself. Travel, scheduling, technology, location, and the number of documents or signers can all affect what you ultimately pay.
Cost Differences at a Glance
- Traditional Notary: Often a lower-cost option when a nearby notary is available and convenient to reach. The tradeoff is that you usually travel to the notary and work within that location's availability.
- Mobile Notary: Brings the in-person appointment to you, but travel, mileage, scheduling, waiting-time, or convenience charges can make the total cost higher.
- Online Notary / RON: Removes the need for either the signer or notary to travel. Pricing varies by provider and appointment needs, but RON can offer a practical balance between cost and convenience for eligible documents.
A lower notarial fee does not always mean the lowest overall cost. Time spent finding an available notary, traveling to an appointment, arranging transportation, or paying for someone to travel to you can all become part of the real cost of getting a document notarized.
Think beyond the notarial fee. The best value depends on what matters most for your appointment: cost, travel, timing, accessibility, or convenience.
JG Notary Express focuses on providing a straightforward and accessible online option for eligible documents, with current pricing available before you schedule.
Can I Use an Online Notary From Another State?
Often, the signer can be somewhere other than the state where the notary is commissioned. The important question is whether the notary can lawfully perform the remote act under the rules governing that commission and whether the document and transaction qualify.
If you are outside the notary's state, provide your location and where the document will be used when requesting the appointment. Additional rules may apply when a signer is outside the United States.
Is Online Notarization Legal in New Jersey and New York?
Yes. New Jersey and New York both authorize remote electronic notarization when the requirements of the applicable state are satisfied.
New Jersey permits a remotely located individual to appear before a notarial officer through qualifying communication technology. New York also permits electronic notarization through real-time audio-video communication, with the electronic notary physically located in New York when performing a New York electronic notarial act.
Official guidance: New Jersey Department of the Treasury • New York Department of State
Can Every Document Be Notarized Online?
No. Eligibility can depend on the document type, applicable law, electronic-signature rules, witness requirements, the required notarial act, the online platform, and the organization that will receive the completed document.
Before Booking, Check:
- Can the document be signed and notarized electronically?
- Will the receiving organization accept Remote Online Notarization?
- Are witnesses or additional participants required?
- Do you have acceptable identification and a compatible device?
The most convenient option is not automatically the right option for every document. The document's requirements and the receiving organization's acceptance should come first.
Which Type of Notary Is Right for Me?
An online notary can be a good fit when your document is eligible for RON and you want to complete the process remotely. A mobile notary may make more sense when you need an in-person appointment but want the notary to come to you. A traditional notary may be simplest when you prefer to visit a local location or need a physical signing process.
Where Does JG Notary Express Fit In?
JG Notary Express LLC specializes in Remote Online Notarization. Our appointments are completed online rather than through mobile or traditional in-person service.
Because every document is different, eligibility is reviewed before the notarization is completed. Start with our Document Eligibility Guide or contact us with your document details.
This article is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Document eligibility, electronic-signature requirements, Remote Online Notarization availability, and recipient acceptance depend on the specific document, transaction, applicable law, and receiving organization.
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