Is a remotely notarized document valid everywhere?

A notarization performed under New Jersey law is valid as a New Jersey notarial act, and nearly all states and most U.S. institutions accept it. Ask the receiving party, especially county clerks, foreign offices, and some banks, whether they accept electronic notarizations before you book.

I am in the Dominican Republic. Can you notarize my document?

Often yes, if the document relates to a matter in the United States, you have ID the platform can verify, and the notarization is not prohibited where you are. Documents to be used in the Dominican Republic itself usually need a paper notarization and apostille instead, so call us to sort out the right path.

What happens to the recording?

New Jersey requires the audio-video recording to be kept for 10 years by the notary or a secure repository. It is not public and is released only as the law requires, for example if the notarization is ever challenged in court.

Guides

Remote Online Notarization in New Jersey: How It Works

Since late 2021, New Jersey notaries have been allowed to notarize documents over secure video for signers who are not in the room, including signers in another state or country. Fermin Consulting performs remote online notarizations through the Notarize by Proof platform for $35 per document. Here is what the law requires, what you need, and when an in-person visit is still the better choice.

By Michael Fermin, Notary Public · Fermin Consulting LLC, Bloomfield, NJ · Leer esta guía en español

The legal basis in New Jersey

New Jersey's permanent remote notarization law (A4250, signed July 22, 2021) and the Treasury's rules at N.J.A.C. 17:50-1.14 set the ground rules. The notary must be physically in New Jersey and must have registered the technology they use with the State Treasurer before performing any remote act. The signer can be anywhere in New Jersey, in another state, or outside the United States if the document relates to a U.S. matter.

Every remote notarization is recorded on audio and video, and the notary must keep the recording for 10 years. The notarial certificate on your document states that the act was performed using communication technology, so anyone reviewing it knows it was done remotely.

How identity is verified online

The notary visually checks your government photo ID on camera, as in person. Then the platform adds identity proofing: a knowledge-based quiz drawn from public records, answered within a time limit, plus a scan of your ID that checks its security features. New Jersey also allows biometric verification or a digital certificate as alternatives.

If the quiz fails, the session cannot continue; this is a legal requirement. Signers who have been in the U.S. only a short time sometimes have too thin a public record to generate questions, and we switch to a mobile visit.

What you need and how the session goes

A computer, tablet, or smartphone with camera and microphone, a reliable connection, and a quiet, well-lit spot.
A valid government photo ID: passport, driver's license, or state ID. Signers abroad with foreign passports can sometimes be verified, so ask us first.
The document as a PDF; if you only have paper, photograph or scan it and we will upload it.
Book a time, including evenings and Saturdays. You verify your ID, meet Michael on video, sign electronically, and receive the notarized PDF with a tamper-evident seal, usually within minutes.
Cost: $35 for the first document and $3 for each additional signature. There is no travel fee.

When remote works well, and when it does not

Remote notarization suits affidavits, consent letters, business documents, powers of attorney for U.S. institutions, lease and HR forms, and anything a relative abroad must sign for a U.S. matter. English and Spanish documents are both fine, and the session can be held in Spanish.

It is not available for wills or codicils under New Jersey law. Some county recording offices, foreign consulates, and lenders still require ink signatures or a paper apostille. Michael is a notary public, not an attorney; he can explain how the process works but not whether a document is right for your situation.

Common questions

Is a remotely notarized document valid everywhere?: A notarization performed under New Jersey law is valid as a New Jersey notarial act, and nearly all states and most U.S. institutions accept it. Ask the receiving party, especially county clerks, foreign offices, and some banks, whether they accept electronic notarizations before you book.
I am in the Dominican Republic. Can you notarize my document?: Often yes, if the document relates to a matter in the United States, you have ID the platform can verify, and the notarization is not prohibited where you are. Documents to be used in the Dominican Republic itself usually need a paper notarization and apostille instead, so call us to sort out the right path.
What happens to the recording?: New Jersey requires the audio-video recording to be kept for 10 years by the notary or a secure repository. It is not public and is released only as the law requires, for example if the notarization is ever challenged in court.

This guide is general information from a New Jersey notary public, not legal advice. For advice about your situation, consult an attorney.

Sources

Official pages and primary sources used for this guide. Fees and processing times change; always confirm with the issuing office.