Remote Online Notarization
Remote Online Notarization (RON) is the use of audio/visual technology to complete a notarial act when the principal is not in the same physical location as the notary public—getting consistent state laws passed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico is a critical step in moving to a fully digital mortgage experience. That is why MBA partnered with the American Land Title Association in 2017 to develop a model bill and campaign for its passage in every legislature. That campaign has been very successful, and MBA is proud to point out that 44 states and the District of Columbia have consistently enacted laws to permit RON in real estate financial transactions. Unfortunately, Connecticut has enacted its RON law with an exclusion for real estate transactions. The introduction and passage of RON legislation in the five remaining states and addressing the industry challenge in Connecticut are top MBA policy priorities, as well as the enactment of RON legislation that has been introduced in Congress (S.1625). MBA also supports adoption of MISMO's model RON implementation standards.
Remote Online Notarization State Surveys
Find the most comprehensive analysis of state requirements for Remote Online Notarization (RON). MBA Education's Compliance Essentials program has partnered with legal experts at DLA Piper, LLP to produce these surveys. The number of states available
continues to grow as legislation is enacted to keep you current and competitive during these trying times. Guides are available for individual purchase or for as many states as you may need. Purchase this fully editable survey, delivered digitally, to gain a thorough understanding of individual state requirements and key issues.
Inside you will find:
- State's laws organized into nine key topics and requirements
- Guide for using the RON State Surveys and key points every lender needs to know
- Matrix of RON Requirements by State with 40 rows of state-specific information for all available states (available only with purchase of full package)
RON Adoption Map
Key
- States with Enacted RON Laws
- States in Session with Active RON Bills
- States with Enacted RON Laws that Exclude Real Estate Transactions
- No Current Activity
Learn More with Our Remote Online Notarization (RON) Resources
- Nationwide Use of Remote Online Notarization (RON)
- MBA-ALTA Background Memorandum on the Model Bill
- MBA-ALTA Model Bill Section-By-Section Description
- MBA-ALTA Model Bill
- MBA Remote Online Notarization Issue Brief
- Suggested Talking Points on MBA-ALTA Model Bill
- Sample Support Letter to State Legislators
- Frequently Asked Questions on MBA-ALTA Model Bill
- Frequently Used Legal Acronyms of Key Laws and Model Bills
- MBA-ALTA-NAR Model RON/RIN State Executive Order
- Model State Executive Order Sample Letter to Governors
- Model State Executive Order FAQ
- MISMO Remote Online Notarization Standards
- American Land Title Association Resource Page
- MISMO Digital Mortgage Resource Center
- Fannie Mae eClosing Technology Solution Provider List
- Freddie Mac Reviewed Vendor List
- MERS eRegistry Participants
- DLA Piper Summary of State Executive Orders to Allow Remote Notarizations
Latest RON News
- February 16, 2024: Mississippi introduces SB 2546 which would allow for RON
- February 12, 2024: Successful lobbying efforts across industry result in Arizona's SB 2409 being held in committee. This legislation would have prohibited the use of RON for real estate. Further conversations continue looking to address seller fraud concerns.
- January 29, 2024: SB 425 is introduced to allow RON & IPEN in Georgia is introduced, however this legislation includes criminal and civil liabilities, including compensatory and other damages.
- January 22, 2024: Arizona legislature introduces SB 2409 that would repeal the use of RON for real estate. This bill is the result of complaints over seller fraud, largely found in paper notarizations.
- January 15, 2024: Virginia introduces HB 1372 which raises Virginia RON requirements to be in line with the rest of the RON states by including Knowledge Based Authentication assessments.
- September 30, 2023: California Governor Newsom signs RON bill (SB 696). While this bill delays California commissioned notaries from performing RON transaction, it does retain out of state RON notary recognition.
- June 12, 2023: Connecticut Governor signs RON bill (SB-1040), but is first state in the nation to specifically exclude real estate finance transactions.
- March 29, 2023: Massachusetts Governor signs FY2023 appropriations bill (Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023) that includes a provision allowing remote online notarization (Sections 22-29).
- October 7, 2022: DC Council implements legislation (B24-0457) that will permit RON in the District of Columbia.
- September 9, 2022: Delaware Governor John Carney signed legislation (SB 262), which will permanently allow the use of remote online notarization (RON) in real estate financial transactions.
- August 18, 2022: Real Clear Policy Op-Ed from Allied Trade Associations Supporting Nationwide RON Legislation: Congress Should Modernize Notarization for Homebuyers & Other Americans
- June 30, 2022: Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed legislation (H7363) making remote online notarization available to the state.
- April 21, 2022: Maine Governor Janet Mills signed legislation (LD2023), which will permanently allow remote online notarization (RON) for real estate financial transactions in the state.
- December 22, 2021: Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Permit the Utilization of RON, Chapter Amendment Planned to add Credential Analysis and Papering Out Language.
- September 24, 2021: MBA submits letter to North Carolina legislators urging them to support legislation (H776) consistent with the national standard for RON adoption.
- September 23, 2021: U.S. House passes the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with language consistent with the SECURE Act, which is supported by MBA and would permit the use of RON nationwide.
- July 14, 2021: MBA submits comment letter to Wyoming Secretary of State to urge him to promulgate credential analysis standards consistent with national consensus.
- July 1, 2021: MBA sends letter to NY Secretary of State urging them to implement rules consistent with MISMO and national standard.
- June 28, 2021: Illinois Legislature passes legislation (SB2664) to enable RON. Sends bill to Governor Pritzker to be signed.
- June 21, 2021: New Jersey Legislature passes legislation (A4250) to allow RON.
- June 15, 2021: Oregon Governor Brown signs RON legislation (SB765)
- May 10, 2021: New York Legislature passes legislation (S1780) that would enable RON. Sends legislation to Governor for signature.
- April 29, 2021: Arkansas Governor signs legislation (SB340) to allow RON.
- April 22, 2021: Kansas Governor Kelly signs RON legislation (SB106) into law.
- April 5, 2021: New Mexico Governor Lujan Grisham signed legislation (SB12) to allow remote online notarizations.
- March 31, 2021: West Virginia Governor Jim Justice signs legislation (SB469) to enable all remote notarizations.
- February 26, 2021: Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed legislation (SF29) that would enable remote notarizations within the state.