Notaron

Notaron does not provide legal advice. Requirements vary by state and receiving party — consult an attorney for jurisdiction-specific guidance.

Notarizing Documents for Apostille & International Use

Yes — documents headed abroad (powers of attorney, business records, personal affidavits, adoption and immigration paperwork) can be notarized online, and most states will issue an apostille on a remotely notarized document. The key is matching the process to your destination country's requirements.

What you'll need

  • The document to be used abroad, unsigned
  • Government-issued photo ID for identity verification
  • An apostille from the notary's commissioning state after notarization (for Hague Convention countries)
  • Embassy legalization instead of an apostille for non-Hague destinations

How apostilles work with online notarization

An apostille is a certificate from the Secretary of State authenticating the notary's commission, used for countries in the Hague Apostille Convention. Most states apostille remotely notarized documents the same way as ink notarizations — the state certifies its own commissioned notary either way. Some states process the electronic document directly; others require a printed copy or a county-level certification first, so check the issuing state's apostille instructions.

What to confirm before your session

Two things matter: the state that will issue the apostille (the notary's commissioning state) and the destination country's expectations. A few foreign receivers still prefer wet-ink documents, and countries outside the Hague Convention need embassy legalization instead of an apostille. When the receiving party specifies requirements, follow theirs — otherwise a RON notarization plus a state apostille is accepted for most destinations.

How to notarize a documents for international use online

  1. 1Confirm your destination country's requirements (apostille vs. legalization, digital vs. paper)
  2. 2Upload the document and verify your identity
  3. 3Sign before the notary during the recorded video session
  4. 4Request an apostille from the notary's commissioning state, then send the certified document abroad

Can you notarize a documents for international use online in your state?

Yes — in every state. 45 states have enacted their own remote online notarization (RON) laws, and residents of the remaining states can legally notarize online with a commissioned notary in a RON-authorized state; the notarization is valid nationwide under interstate recognition rules. Select your state for its specific requirements.

AlabamaValid via out-of-state notaryAlaskaRON authorized since 2021ArizonaRON authorized since 2020ArkansasRON authorized since 2020CaliforniaLaw pending — valid via out-of-state notaryColoradoRON authorized since 2020ConnecticutRON authorized since 2023DelawareLaw pending — valid via out-of-state notaryDistrict of ColumbiaRON authorized since 2023FloridaRON authorized since 2020GeorgiaValid via out-of-state notaryHawaiiRON authorized since 2024IdahoRON authorized since 2020IllinoisRON authorized since 2022IndianaRON authorized since 2019IowaRON authorized since 2020KansasRON authorized since 2021KentuckyRON authorized since 2020LouisianaRON authorized since 2022MaineRON authorized since 2023MarylandRON authorized since 2020MassachusettsRON authorized since 2023MichiganRON authorized since 2019MinnesotaRON authorized since 2019MississippiLaw pending — valid via out-of-state notaryMissouriRON authorized since 2020MontanaRON authorized since 2019NebraskaRON authorized since 2020NevadaRON authorized since 2019New HampshireRON authorized since 2022New JerseyRON authorized since 2022New MexicoRON authorized since 2021New YorkRON authorized since 2023North CarolinaRON authorized since 2023North DakotaRON authorized since 2019OhioRON authorized since 2019OklahomaRON authorized since 2020OregonRON authorized since 2022PennsylvaniaRON authorized since 2020Rhode IslandRON authorized since 2023South CarolinaValid via out-of-state notarySouth DakotaRON authorized since 2020TennesseeRON authorized since 2019TexasRON authorized since 2018UtahRON authorized since 2019VermontRON authorized since 2022VirginiaRON authorized since 2012WashingtonRON authorized since 2020West VirginiaRON authorized since 2021WisconsinRON authorized since 2020WyomingRON authorized since 2021

Frequently asked questions

Can a remotely notarized document get an apostille?
In most states, yes — the Secretary of State certifies the commissioned notary regardless of whether the notarization was in person or remote. Some states require the electronic document to be printed and certified first, so check the issuing state's apostille process.
What if the destination country isn't in the Hague Convention?
Then the document needs embassy or consular legalization instead of an apostille — a multi-step authentication through the U.S. Department of State and the destination country's embassy. The online notarization itself works the same way.
Which documents commonly go through this process?
Powers of attorney for overseas property or family matters, corporate resolutions and business records, affidavits, consent letters for international travel or adoption, and educational document attestations.

Free related templates

Need to create a document from scratch? These free templates can be filled out, downloaded, and notarized in one flow:

Ready to notarize your documents for international use?

Connect with a licensed notary on secure video 24/7 — $25 per session, legally valid nationwide. No appointment needed.

Start a Notarization
Demo