Online Notarization vs. In-Person: Which Is Right for You?

The Traditional Way: In-Person Notarization

For centuries, notarization has required an in-person meeting between the signer and a notary public. You'd need to find a notary (often at a bank, UPS store, or attorney's office), schedule an appointment, drive there, and complete the process face-to-face.

While this method works, it comes with several drawbacks:

• Limited to office hours
• Requires travel time and transportation
• May involve waiting in line
• Finding a notary in rural areas can be challenging
• Notaries may not always be available when you need them

The Modern Alternative: Online Notarization

Remote Online Notarization (RON) uses secure video technology to connect you with a notary from anywhere. The entire process is done electronically, from identity verification to signing and sealing.

Advantages of Online Notarization

• Convenience — Notarize from your home, office, or anywhere with internet
• Speed — Most sessions take 10-15 minutes
• Availability — 24/7 access to notaries, including evenings and weekends
• Security — Multi-factor identity verification and encrypted sessions
• Digital records — Automatic recording and digital storage of sessions
• Accessibility — Ideal for elderly, disabled, or homebound individuals

Potential Considerations

• Requires a device with camera, microphone, and internet connection
• Some specific document types may still require in-person notarization in certain states
• You need a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID

Cost Comparison

In-person notarization costs vary widely depending on your location and the notary:

• Bank notary: Often free for account holders
• UPS Store: $5-15 per stamp
• Mobile notary (they come to you): $75-200+ including travel fees
• Attorney's office: $25-50+ per stamp

Online notarization through Looking Glass Runners:

• Standard (business hours): $15 per stamp
• After hours (evenings/weekends): $20 per stamp
• No travel fees, no appointment fees, no hidden costs

Legal Validity

Both online and in-person notarizations produce legally binding documents. Online notarization is recognized in all 50 states, and many legal experts argue that RON actually provides stronger evidence of proper notarization due to the recorded video sessions and multi-factor identity verification.

When to Choose Online

Online notarization is the better choice when:

• You need a notarization done quickly
• You can't easily travel to a notary office
• You need a notary outside of business hours
• You want the convenience of notarizing from home
• You value the enhanced security of digital identity verification

When In-Person Might Be Necessary

Some situations may still call for in-person notarization:

• Certain court documents that specifically require physical presence
• When the document signer cannot use technology
• When state-specific laws require in-person notarization for certain document types

The Bottom Line

For the vast majority of notarization needs, online notarization is faster, more convenient, and more secure than the traditional in-person process. With Looking Glass Runners, you can get your documents notarized in as little as 15 minutes without leaving your home.