How to Notarize a Power of Attorney Remotely
Notarizing a power of attorney via RON is legal in most states, but recorders and banks reject them constantly. Here's how to make sure yours is accepted.
Key Takeaways
- •a power of attorney can be notarized through RON
Power of attorney is one of the highest-volume documents I see come through Notaron, and it's also the one that gets rejected the most often when it goes wrong. Not because remote online notarization isn't valid — it is, in most states — but because of small mistakes in how the session is set up.
I've had law firms call me three weeks after a session asking why the county recorder kicked back a signed POA. Almost every time, the cause is the same handful of issues. Here's what to do so you don't end up in that conversation.
Can a power of attorney be notarized through RON?
Yes, in nearly every state that authorizes remote online notarization. A POA is a standard notarial document — there's nothing special about it from the notary's perspective. The signer appears on video, gets identity-verified, and signs while the notary watches. Same as any other acknowledgment.
The catch is downstream. POAs are often recorded with a county clerk or used at a bank, title company, or hospital. Whoever receives the POA has the right to reject it for their own reasons, and some institutions are still uncomfortable with electronically notarized documents even when state law accepts them.
Why do banks and recorders reject remotely notarized POAs?
Three reasons, in order of frequency:
The first is that the receiving institution has an internal policy that pre-dates RON adoption in their state. The legal department hasn't updated the playbook, so the front desk says no. This is fixable with a phone call to the institution's legal team and a copy of the state RON statute.
The second is that the notary was commissioned in a different state than the one where the POA will be used. Most states accept out-of-state RON under reciprocity rules, but some don't. If you're recording in a state that requires the notary to be commissioned locally, you need to choose a notary in that state.
The third is missing information on the certificate itself. The notarial certificate has to identify the document type, the date, the signer, and the type of act (acknowledgment vs. jurat). If the certificate is generic or has the wrong act type, it's a mess to fix after the fact.
What kind of notarial act do I need for a power of attorney?
In nearly all states, a POA requires an acknowledgment, not a jurat. The signer is acknowledging that they signed the document of their own free will, not swearing to the truth of its contents.
If your platform defaults to a jurat or asks the paralegal to choose, pick acknowledgment. If you're not sure, look at the signature block on the POA itself — it almost always specifies "acknowledged before me" rather than "sworn to before me." That's your tell.
A few states (Florida, for instance) require additional language for durable POAs, and some states require two witnesses for healthcare POAs. Check your state's specific requirements before the session, not during.
What ID does the principal need for a remote POA signing?
A current, valid, government-issued photo ID with a clear expiration date. The most common acceptable IDs:
U.S. driver's license (current, not expired)
U.S. passport
State-issued non-driver ID
Military ID
A few things that trip people up: expired licenses are not accepted, even if the state extended them during a public health emergency. Photocopies and pictures of IDs don't work — the platform has to scan the actual ID through credential analysis. And the name on the ID has to match the name on the POA exactly. If your client signs as "Robert J. Smith" on the POA but the ID says "Bob Smith," you have a problem.
Should I use RON for a healthcare power of attorney?
Cautiously. Healthcare POAs sometimes have stricter execution requirements than financial POAs, including witness requirements that vary by state. Many hospitals and providers will accept a remotely notarized healthcare POA, but some have policies requiring traditional in-person execution.
Before you set up a RON session for a healthcare POA, do two things. Confirm your state allows RON for healthcare directives — most do, some don't. Then, if possible, ask the receiving facility ahead of time whether they'll accept it. A 30-second phone call beats discovering on a hospital floor that the POA isn't usable.
How fast can I get a POA notarized through RON?
On-demand sessions typically connect within a few minutes during business hours, and the actual signing takes 5 to 10 minutes. From start to finished PDF in the principal's inbox, you should plan on 15 to 20 minutes total.
Compare that to coordinating an in-person notary appointment for an elderly client across town, and the case for RON makes itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the agent (attorney-in-fact) be on the call during the signing?
Yes, they can be present, but they don't sign the original POA — only the principal does. The agent's acceptance of the role is usually a separate document executed later. Some states require the agent to sign an acknowledgment of duties; that can be done in a separate RON session.
What if the principal is in a different country?
RON works internationally as long as the principal has a valid U.S. or accepted foreign ID and the document will be used or recorded under U.S. state law. The principal can be anywhere with a stable internet connection.
Does a remotely notarized POA need to be apostilled for international use?
If the POA is going to be used in a Hague Convention country, yes — and the apostille has to come from the Secretary of State of the state where the notary is commissioned. Make sure to request the apostille separately after the RON session is complete.
Can a paralegal upload the POA and schedule the session?
Yes. The paralegal handles all administrative work. Only the principal needs to appear on the video session for identity verification and signing.
Will the recorder accept the document with an electronic seal and signature?
Most county recorders that support e-recording will. Some still require a physical original — call the specific recorder's office to confirm before assuming. The completed RON document can be printed if needed, but the electronic original is what carries the legal weight.