Is an online notarization from another state valid where I live?

Two laws meet in one session

A video session has two places in it: where the notary sits, and where you sit. The notary’s state decides whether the notary may do the act at all. Your state, or the state where the document will be used, decides how it treats the result. Our directory grades the companies. This page is about the second question.

The notary’s state: “performed here”

Some states say outright that a remote act counts as done in their state. N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10 lets a New Jersey notary, located in New Jersey, notarize a signer in another state, and treats the act as performed in New Jersey and governed by New Jersey law.

Others tie the act to the notary’s location. Under Tennessee’s rule 1360-07-03-.03, a Tennessee online notary must be physically in Tennessee and may act regardless of where the signer is, and the certificate names the Tennessee county. Massachusetts’ law does the same with the Massachusetts county, once it is in use.

So, from the notary’s side, the act is a valid act of that state. That is the first half of the answer.

Your state: recognition laws

States can give effect to a notarization done elsewhere by statute. South Carolina’s law is a clear example. S.C. Code § 26-3-20, part of the Uniform Recognition of Acknowledgments Act, says notarial acts may be performed outside the state for use in South Carolina with the same effect as if a South Carolina notary had done them, and lists a notary public of the place where the act happens.

What that chapter does not do is mention remote or electronic acts. It speaks of a person having “appeared before” the officer. So the text does not settle whether a video appearance counts. That is the gap people fall into.

South Carolina’s own notaries cannot do video sessions, which is a separate rule. See South Carolina online notary.

Some offices say yes in writing

A few agencies publish their answer. The Georgia Department of Revenue’s bulletin ADMIN-2025-03 says it accepts remote notarizations from notaries in states where the law permits them, for documents that require a notary and that the Commissioner has authorized. Georgia has no remote notary law of its own. See Georgia remote notary.

When an office has written its rule down like that, you have your answer. When it has not, you need to ask.

Some offices say no, or not yet

The Massachusetts Land Court told registry districts not to accept remotely notarized documents for registration until further instruction. That is one office, for registered land, but it shows why a valid act can still be refused at the counter. See Massachusetts remote notarization.

Federal forms can be strict too. The State Department’s Form DS-3053 describes the signer personally appearing and the notary personally viewing the ID, and says nothing about video. See Form DS-3053.

The question that settles it

Ask the receiving office, in these words if you like:

1. “Will you accept a remote online notarization performed by a notary commissioned in another state?”
2. “Do you want the electronic file, a printed copy, or a paper original?”
3. “Is there a form of certificate you require?”

Get the answer in writing if you can, by email or from their website. If they say no, use a walk-in or a mobile notary. If they say yes, check the notary’s commission and remote registration with how to check a notary’s commission.

Documents that raise the most questions

• Deeds and other recorded documents. The county recorder decides. Ask before you book.
• Wills. Witness rules often keep these in the room. See can a notary notarize a will.
• Documents for use abroad. An apostille office may treat an electronic notarization differently. See how to get an apostille.
• Court filings. Ask the clerk.

Next step

Ask the receiving office the first question above. If the answer is yes, compare video notaries on the directory, or start with the buttons below, ordered by grade.