Can E-Signatures Be Notarized? A Practical Guide for Signers
Yes, e-signatures can be notarized, but not by printing the signed PDF and handing it to a traditional notary. That's the first thing to get straight. A notary who stamps a paper copy of an e-signed document isn't notarizing the electronic signature at all. They're notarizing a printout, which most jurisdictions won't accept as a valid notarial act on the original electronic record.
The honest answer is that notarizing an e-signature requires one of two legal paths: in-person electronic notarization (IPEN) or remote online notarization (RON). Which one applies depends on your state's rules and whether the notary has the right commission. LoreSign handles the e-signature side of contracts cleanly, but notarization is a separate step you'll need to plan for.
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Short answer | Yes, in most U.S. states under RULONA |
| Key law | RULONA and state notary rules |
| Common method | Remote online notarization (RON) |
| Not valid | Notarizing a printed e-signature screenshot |
| Signer needs | ID, audio-video session, notary journal |
| Check first | Your state's RON authorization status |
In This Guide
- What Does It Mean to Notarize an E-Signature?
- In-Person Notarization vs Remote Online Notarization (RON)
- In-Person Electronic Notarization vs. Remote Online Notarization
- Can E Signatures Be Notarized: A Step-by-Step Guide
- How to Notarize an Electronic Signature: Step-by-Step
- Can You Notarize a DocuSign Signature?
- What You Cannot Do: Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
- State-by-State Rules for E-Signature Notarization
- E-Signature Platforms and Notarization: What Works
- Final Thoughts: Can E-Signatures Be Notarized?
What Does It Mean to Notarize an E-Signature?
Notarizing an e-signature means a commissioned notary witnesses or verifies the signature electronically, then attaches a digital notarial certificate. It is not the same as e-signing alone.
An e-signature is just you clicking a button or typing your name. Notarization adds a second layer: a state-commissioned official confirms who you are and that you signed willingly. The notary does not vouch for the document's contents.
Electronic notarization vs. e-signature
E-signing is one step. Notarization is a separate legal act. A notary must be present, either in person or by live video, when you sign. You cannot sign first and notarize later.
What the notary actually verifies
The notary checks three things: your identity, your willingness to sign, and your awareness of what you're signing. That's it. They don't validate the contract's terms or give legal advice.
A printed copy of an electronically signed document is generally not treated as an original for notarization purposes; the notary must witness the electronic signing itself or notarize a wet-ink signature on paper.
In-Person Notarization vs Remote Online Notarization (RON)
| Factor | In-Person Notarization | Remote Online Notarization (RON) |
|---|---|---|
| Where it happens | Notary and signer in the same room | Signer and notary connect by audio-video |
| ID verification | Physical ID inspected in person | ID checked via knowledge-based authentication and ID scan |
| Signature type | Wet ink or electronic, depending on state | Electronic signature applied during the session |
| Recording | Notary journal entry only | Session may be recorded and journal retained |
| Availability | Available in all states | Only where state law authorizes RON |
In-Person Electronic Notarization vs. Remote Online Notarization
You have two legal paths for notarizing an e-signature. The difference comes down to where you are when you sign.
In-person electronic notarization (IPEN)
You appear before the notary in person, at a desk or office. The document is electronic, and the notarial certificate is electronic too. You sign on a device in front of the notary, and the notary applies a digital seal. No paper changes hands.
IPEN works in most states. It's the closest thing to traditional notarization, just without the paper.
Remote online notarization (RON)
Everything happens online. You and the notary connect through audio-video. You show a government ID to the camera, answer identity questions, and sign electronically while the notary watches. The session is recorded, and the notary attaches a tamper-evident digital certificate.
RON is legal in over 40 states as of 2024. The notary must be commissioned in the state where the document will be used, not necessarily where you live.
Which one should you use?
It depends on your state's rules and what the document requires. If your state allows RON and you can't reach a notary in person, RON is faster. If the receiving party wants a traditional in-person notarization, IPEN is the safer choice. Check your state's rules before you commit.
If you are coordinating multiple signers, check whether your e-signature platform supports ordered routing and automated reminders so the notary step does not stall the rest of the signing chain. LoreSign, for example, offers ordered multi-signer routing and automated reminders, but it does not perform notarization itself — you still need a qualified notary or a dedicated RON provider.
Can E Signatures Be Notarized: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Confirm your state authorizes remote online notarization or accepts electronic signatures for notarization.
- Choose a notarization method: in-person with a notary who accepts electronic signatures, or a RON platform.
- Prepare the document in its final electronic form do not print, sign, and scan it back in.
- Complete identity verification, which may include a knowledge-based quiz and a government ID scan.
- Join the audio-video session and sign electronically while the notary witnesses you in real time.
- Let the notary apply their electronic seal and signature, then save the notarized PDF.
- Store the final notarized file and any session recording or journal reference for your records.
How to Notarize an Electronic Signature: Step-by-Step
Here's the process from start to finish. You'll need a state-approved notary or RON platform, a government ID, and a device with a camera if you're going remote.
Step 1: Confirm your state allows electronic or remote notarization
Check your state's rules before you pay for anything. Most states allow IPEN. Over 40 allow RON, but a handful still don't, and some restrict which documents qualify. Your Secretary of State's website is the source to check. Don't rely on a platform's marketing page to tell you what's legal in your state.
Step 2: Choose a notary or RON platform
For IPEN, find a local notary who offers electronic notarization. Not every notary does. For RON, pick a platform like Notarize, DocuSign Notary, or a state-approved provider. The notary must be commissioned in the state where the document will be used, not where you live.
Step 3: Verify your identity
You'll show a government-issued photo ID. For RON, you hold it to the camera and the platform runs it through identity verification, often with knowledge-based authentication questions pulled from your credit history. This isn't optional. The notary can't proceed without it.
Step 4: Sign electronically in the notary's presence
The notary watches you sign, either in person or on video. You apply your e-signature to the document, then the notary applies their electronic seal and signature to the notarial certificate. The session is recorded if you're using RON.
Step 5: Receive the notarized electronic document
You get a tamper-evident PDF with the notary's digital certificate attached. Keep it. If anyone alters the document after notarization, the certificate flags it. Send the completed file to whoever requested it.
Can You Notarize a DocuSign Signature?
Yes, but not by printing the signed PDF. DocuSign signatures can be notarized through DocuSign Notary or a remote online notarization platform that integrates with DocuSign. A traditional notary can't stamp a printout.
DocuSign Notary and RON integration
DocuSign Notary lets a notary meet the signer over video, verify identity, and notarize the e-signature inside the DocuSign workflow. Third-party RON platforms can also handle the notarization step if the document was signed in DocuSign first.
What does not work with a printed DocuSign signature
Printing the signed PDF and taking it to a notary fails. The notary can't verify the electronic signature's integrity from paper, and most states won't accept it. You need the notarization to happen electronically, in the same session or through a RON platform.
What You Cannot Do: Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
The rules are strict, and the mistakes are predictable. Most failed notarization attempts come from treating an e-signature like a wet signature on paper. It isn't.
You cannot notarize a screenshot or printout of an e-signature
A screenshot of a signed PDF proves nothing. Neither does a printout. The notary has no way to verify the signature's integrity, the signer's identity, or when the signature was applied. A traditional notary who stamps a printout is not performing a valid notarial act in any state. The notarization must happen electronically, in the same session as the signature or through a RON platform that records the whole thing.
You cannot use RON in every state
Remote online notarization is legal in most states, but not all. Some states require in-person electronic notarization only. Others have passed RON laws but haven't finished writing the rules. Before you schedule anything, check your state's Secretary of State website. If RON isn't authorized where the signer is physically located, the notarization won't hold up.
You cannot skip identity verification
The notary must verify who you are. For in-person electronic notarization, that means a government-issued photo ID. For RON, it means knowledge-based authentication questions, credential analysis, or both. You can't just show up on a video call and say your name. The identity check is the point of notarization. Skip it, and the notarial certificate is worthless.
State-by-State Rules for E-Signature Notarization
Rules vary by state, and they change. What works in Texas may not work in Ohio. The signer's physical location at the moment of signing is what matters, not where the document originated.
States that allow RON
Most states now permit remote online notarization. Florida, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, and Illinois all have RON laws on the books. Florida's law took effect January 1, 2020, and requires the notary to use a RON platform with audio-video recording and credential analysis. Texas and Ohio have similar frameworks. Georgia allows RON but requires the notary to hold a separate RON commission. Illinois passed its RON law in 2021, with rules finalized in 2022.
States with restrictions or pending legislation
A handful of states still don't authorize RON. California requires in-person electronic notarization only, though a RON bill has been pending. South Carolina and South Dakota have limited or no RON authorization. Some states allow RON but restrict which documents qualify. Real estate closings, for example, may need in-person notarization even in RON-friendly states.
Where to check your state's current rules
The National Notary Association maintains a state-by-state map of RON laws. Your state's Secretary of State website is the authoritative source. Check both before you schedule anything. Laws change, and a notary who operates across state lines must follow the rules of the state where the signer sits.
E-Signature Platforms and Notarization: What Works
E-signature platforms handle the signing step. Notarization is a separate legal act. You can use DocuSign, Adobe Sign, or LoreSign to collect signatures on a contract, then take that signed document through IPEN or RON with a notary. The platform itself doesn't notarize anything.
DocuSign and Adobe Sign
DocuSign offers DocuSign Notary, a built-in RON workflow that connects you with a commissioned notary over video. Adobe Sign integrates with third-party RON providers like Notarize. Both work, but you'll pay extra for the notary session on top of your e-signature plan.
LoreSign for e-signatures on contracts
LoreSign handles the signing step cleanly. Upload any PDF, place the signing fields, and send one secure link. Track every signer and receive the completed document automatically. When the contract needs notarization, export the signed PDF and take it to a notary or RON platform. That's the honest workflow.
What e-signature platforms cannot do
No e-signature platform can notarize a document on its own. A notary must witness or verify the signature, confirm identity, and apply a notarial certificate. Printing the e-signed PDF and expecting a traditional notary to stamp it doesn't work either. The notary needs to witness the signing itself, not just see the result.
Final Thoughts: Can E-Signatures Be Notarized?
Yes, e-signatures can be notarized, but only through in-person electronic notarization or remote online notarization. Printing the signed PDF and taking it to a traditional notary won't work. The notary must witness the signing itself.
The path is straightforward: confirm your state allows electronic or remote notarization, choose a notary or RON platform, verify your identity, sign in the notary's presence, and receive the notarized document. Check your state's rules before you start. They vary.
LoreSign handles the signing step well. Upload your PDF, place the fields, send one link, and track every signer. When notarization is required, treat it as a separate step with a commissioned notary. That's the honest workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you notarize an electronic signature?
You notarize an electronic signature by having a commissioned notary witness the signing, either in person or through a remote online notarization session. The notary verifies your identity, watches you apply the electronic signature, and then attaches their own electronic seal and signature. The result is a notarized electronic document, not a printed copy.
Can I notarize a DocuSign signature?
You cannot simply print a DocuSign-signed page and have a notary stamp it as if it were a wet signature. To notarize a DocuSign signature properly, the notary must be part of the signing ceremony, either in person or through a remote online notarization session integrated with or alongside the platform. Some platforms and notary services support this workflow directly.
Can a notarized document be electronically signed?
Yes, a document that has already been notarized can later be electronically signed by other parties, provided the electronic signature meets the applicable legal standard. The notarization and the electronic signature are separate acts, and each must satisfy its own requirements. Keep the notarized version intact and add subsequent signatures in a way that preserves the audit trail.
What are the legal requirements for electronic signatures in Florida?
Florida recognizes electronic signatures under its version of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and authorizes remote online notarization. Signers generally need to appear before the notary by audio-video technology, verify their identity, and consent to the electronic process. Because requirements can change, confirm the current rules with the Florida Department of State or a qualified attorney.
Can e-signatures be notarized in Texas, Ohio, or Georgia?
Texas, Ohio, and Georgia are among the states that have authorized remote online notarization, though the specific procedures and provider requirements vary. In each state, the notary must still verify the signer's identity and witness the signing. Check your state's secretary of state or notary commissioning authority for the latest rules.
What can I not do when trying to notarize an e-signature?
You cannot notarize a screenshot of an e-signature, a printed copy of an electronically signed page, or a signature that the notary did not witness being applied. You also cannot use a notary who is not authorized for the method you are using, such as a traditional notary for a remote session in a state that does not allow it. Attempting these shortcuts can invalidate the notarization.
Do I need a special platform to get an e-signature notarized?
You do not necessarily need a special e-signature platform, but you do need a notary who is equipped for electronic or remote notarization. Many remote online notarization providers offer their own platform, and some e-signature tools integrate with notary services. If you use a general e-signature tool like LoreSign, plan the notarization step separately with a qualified notary.
About LoreSign
LoreSign helps For people looking to get documents and contracts signed. get this right. Track every signer and receive the completed document automatically. Whether you are working through can e signatures be notarized or something adjacent, we publish what we have actually tested, including where it falls short.
