6.2 Remote Online Notarization (RON)

What RON Is and When It Started

Remote Online Notarization (RON) is a notarial act in which the signer — a "remotely located individual" — is not physically present with the notary and instead appears through real-time, two-way audio-visual technology. New Jersey authorized RON permanently through P.L. 2021, c. 179, signed July 22, 2021 and effective October 22, 2021. (A temporary COVID-era authorization preceded it; the exam tests the permanent law and the October 22, 2021 date.)

Like electronic notarization, RON requires a one-time notification to the State Treasurer through the NJ Notary Public Application portal, identifying the RON technology the notary will use, before the first remote act.

The Location Rule (High-Yield)

The notary's commission is a New Jersey commission, so the notarial act legally occurs in New Jersey; the notary must be standing on New Jersey soil. A NJ notary on vacation in Florida cannot perform RON from the hotel. The signer, by contrast, may join from anywhere on Earth.

Proving the Remote Signer's Identity

Without an ID to hold, RON uses a layered identity standard. The notary satisfies identity by personal knowledge of the signer, OR by both of the following processes:

The notary also visually compares the ID image to the live video of the signer's face. All three layers — credential analysis, KBA, and visual comparison — must succeed.

Knowledge-Based Authentication Mechanics

If the signer fails KBA, the notary cannot proceed by RON for that session — a frequent exam scenario.

The RON Session, Step by Step

1. Confirm the technology meets standards (encrypted, live two-way A/V, recording capability).
2. Begin recording before the act starts.
3. Run credential analysis on the ID.
4. Administer knowledge-based authentication.
5. Confirm the signer's personal appearance over live video and visually compare the ID to the face.
6. Confirm the signer is acting willingly and competently (ask, observe demeanor).
7. Witness the signature and perform the act; apply the electronic signature and tamper-evident stamp.
8. Complete the journal entry, noting it was performed by RON and naming the platform.
9. End and securely store the recording.

Recording Retention (Memorize the Number)

The notary must create an audio-visual recording of the entire session and retain it, or have a designated repository retain it, for at least 10 years. The recording must capture audio and video showing the signer, the act, and the identity verification. This 10-year figure matches the journal-retention rule, making it easy to remember.

Document Eligibility and Limitations

Limitations to watch: the notary must be in New Jersey; the platform must meet the standards; a technology failure or failed KBA means the session cannot continue; and a signer who cannot use the technology must be served in person instead.

Common Exam Traps

• "The notary can be anywhere as long as the signer is in NJ" — reversed; the notary must be in New Jersey.
• "Recording is optional if both parties agree" — false; recording the full session is mandatory and kept 10 years.
• "A visual ID comparison alone is enough" — false; credential analysis plus identity proofing (KBA) are also required.
• "RON skips the Treasurer notification" — false; technology must be identified to the Treasurer first.

RON Technology Standards in Detail

A compliant RON platform must do more than place a video call. It must deliver live, two-way audio-visual communication of sufficient quality that the notary can both hear and clearly see the signer in real time — pre-recorded video or a one-way feed is never acceptable. The connection must be secure (encrypted) so the session and the signer's data are protected, and the platform must capture and store the recording. The notary must reasonably confirm the technology meets these standards before starting; using a casual consumer video app that cannot record or run credential analysis is a compliance failure.

Worked Scenario: A Cross-Border Closing

Notary Patel, sitting in her Trenton, New Jersey office, schedules a RON session for a borrower stationed in Germany. Patel begins the recording, the platform runs credential analysis on the borrower's U.S. passport, and the borrower answers 5 of 5 KBA questions. Patel visually compares the passport photo to the live video, confirms the borrower is signing willingly, witnesses the electronic signature, and applies her tamper-evident electronic stamp. She notes "RON" and the platform name in her journal and stores the recording for 10 years.

The act is valid because Patel — the notary — was in New Jersey, every identity layer succeeded, and the full session was recorded. Had Patel been traveling abroad herself, the act would be invalid regardless of how perfect the technology was.

Comparing Electronic and Remote Notarization

Recordkeeping and Liability Recap

For RON the notary keeps two durable records: the standard journal entry (noting the act was performed by RON and identifying the platform) and the audio-visual recording of the full session. Both are retained for at least 10 years. If a designated repository stores the recording, the notary remains responsible for ensuring retention. Mishandling — deleting a recording early, sharing the electronic credentials, or performing RON while outside New Jersey — exposes the notary to civil liability and potential commission revocation by the State Treasurer.

Exam Snapshot

Expect 3-4 RON questions. Memorize: effective October 22, 2021 under P.L. 2021, c. 179; notary must be in New Jersey while the signer may be anywhere; identity = credential analysis plus identity proofing (KBA, typically 4 of 5) plus visual comparison; the entire session is recorded and retained at least 10 years; and the Treasurer must be notified of the technology before the first remote act. Any scenario with a failed KBA, a notary outside New Jersey, or an un-recorded session points to an invalid RON.