If you have ever needed a document notarized on short notice — a power of attorney at 9 p.m., a real estate affidavit when you are three states away — you already understand why Remote Online Notarization exists. RON lets a commissioned notary public witness your signature and affix a notarial seal entirely through a secure video call, with no in-person meeting required.
Nebraska was an early adopter. The state passed its RON statute in 2019, and today any Nebraska-commissioned notary who holds an active RON credential can notarize eligible documents for signers located anywhere in the world.
The Short Definition
Remote Online Notarization (RON) is a process that allows a notary public and a document signer to complete a notarial act over a live, two-way audio-video connection. The notary verifies the signer's identity using technology — typically a combination of knowledge-based authentication (KBA) questions and credential analysis of a government-issued ID — then witnesses the electronic signature and applies a digital notarial seal.
The result carries the same legal weight as a traditional in-person notarization.
Nebraska's RON Law: The Basics
Nebraska's authority for RON is found in the Nebraska Revised Statutes §§ 64-101 through 64-115 (the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts) and the administrative rules adopted by the Secretary of State. Here are the key requirements:
1. The Notary Must Be Nebraska-Commissioned
Only a notary public commissioned by the Nebraska Secretary of State may perform RON for Nebraska-governed documents. The notary must also be specifically authorized to perform online notarizations — this requires a separate application and approval beyond the standard notary commission.
2. Identity Verification Is Mandatory
Nebraska law requires that the notary confirm the signer's identity through at least one of the following methods:
- Personal knowledge of the signer
- Oath or affirmation of a credible witness who personally knows the signer
- Identity proofing technology — which must include both credential analysis (scanning the government ID) and knowledge-based authentication (answering personal questions drawn from public records)
3. The Session Must Be Recorded
The notary is required to record the entire audio-video session. That recording must be retained for a minimum of 10 years. This recording is the tamper-evident audit trail that courts and title companies can rely on if a notarization is ever challenged.
4. Approved Technology Platforms Only
RON cannot be performed over a casual video call. Nebraska requires notaries to use a platform that meets the Secretary of State's technical standards for identity verification, tamper-evident sealing, and session recording. Platforms like BlueNotary, Notarize, and DocVerify are examples of compliant tools. The notary — not the signer — is responsible for choosing an approved platform.
5. Electronic Signature and Seal
The signer executes the document with an electronic signature. The notary then affixes a digital notarial seal that is cryptographically tied to the document. Any alteration to the document after sealing is detectable, which is one reason RON documents are often considered more tamper-evident than paper notarizations.
Key point for real estate closings: Nebraska title insurers and county recorders have broadly accepted RON documents. However, confirm with your title company before closing — some lenders still require in-person or in-front-of-notary (IPEN) signings depending on loan type and investor requirements.
Who Can Use RON in Nebraska?
The signer does not have to be physically located in Nebraska. Nebraska's RON law, like most state RON statutes, focuses on where the notary is located, not the signer. This means:
- A Nebraska signer who is traveling abroad can still use a Nebraska RON notary.
- An out-of-state signer can use a Nebraska RON notary for documents governed by Nebraska law.
- A Nebraska RON notary cannot notarize a document that requires the notary to be physically present in another state at the time of notarization.
What Documents Can Be RON-Notarized?
Most documents that can be notarized in person can also be notarized via RON. Common examples include:
- Powers of attorney (financial and healthcare)
- Real estate deeds and affidavits
- Loan documents (lender permitting)
- Sworn statements and affidavits
- Business and corporate documents
- Travel consent letters for minors
- Trust documents
Important exceptions: wills in Nebraska must still be executed under the traditional in-person witness and notarization requirements. Additionally, some federal forms and court filings may specify in-person requirements independent of state law.
RON vs. Traditional Notarization: A Quick Comparison
RON Advantages
- No travel required. Complete your signing from home, the office, or anywhere with a stable internet connection.
- Faster turnaround. Documents can be signed, sealed, and returned electronically in minutes.
- Stronger audit trail. The recorded session and cryptographic seal provide evidence that is difficult to dispute.
- Geographic flexibility. Useful when signers and notaries are in different locations.
When In-Person May Still Be Better
- The signer lacks reliable internet access or a webcam.
- The lender or accepting institution specifically requires in-person notarization.
- The document type (e.g., a Nebraska will) legally requires in-person execution.
- The signer prefers face-to-face assistance with complex documents.
How to Get Started
If you are ready to use RON for your document, the process is straightforward:
- Contact the notary with the document type, number of signers, and your preferred timing.
- Receive preparation instructions — the notary will confirm eligibility, send a platform invitation, and explain what ID to have ready.
- Join the video session at the scheduled time. Complete identity verification, review the document, and sign electronically.
- Receive your sealed document — delivered electronically immediately after the session, or printed if a wet-ink copy is also needed.
What to bring: A government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), and access to the email address where you will receive the session invitation. Do not upload or paste private document contents into any web form — bring the unsigned document to the session instead.
The Bottom Line
Nebraska's RON law gives residents and businesses a secure, legally recognized way to notarize documents without the friction of scheduling an in-person appointment. A Nebraska-commissioned notary using an approved platform, strong identity verification, and a recorded session produces a notarized document that courts, title companies, and government agencies recognize as fully valid.
If you have a document that cannot wait, RON is very likely the fastest and most convenient path to a completed, legally binding notarization.