Wet, Hybrid, and Full RON Closings: What's the Difference and Which One Do You Need?

If you're preparing to buy a home, refinance your mortgage, or close a real estate deal in 2026, you've likely encountered terms like "wet closing," "hybrid closing," and "RON closing" tossed around by your lender, title company, or real estate agent. The jargon can be confusing—but understanding the differences between these three closing types can save you time, reduce stress, and help you choose the most efficient path for your transaction.

This guide breaks down each closing type in plain language, explains how notarization works in each scenario, and helps you determine which option is right for your situation.

What Is a Wet Closing?

A wet closing is the traditional, fully in-person closing that most people picture when they think of buying a house. In a wet closing:

• All parties are physically present in the same room—typically a title company office, an attorney's office, or a lender's location.
• Documents are signed by hand (also called "wet ink" signatures, which is where the name comes from).
• A notary public is physically present to witness and notarize the required documents on the spot.
• Funds are often disbursed the same day, though in some states, disbursement follows recording.

Wet closings have been the industry standard for decades, and they remain a legally valid option in every U.S. state. However, they come with well-known drawbacks: scheduling challenges, travel requirements, and the logistical burden of coordinating multiple parties in one location at the same time.

For many buyers and sellers—especially those who are relocating, traveling, or pressed for time—wet closings are simply not practical.

What Is a Hybrid Closing?

A hybrid closing blends traditional and digital elements, offering a middle ground between a fully wet closing and a completely paperless one.

Here's how a typical hybrid closing works:

1. Electronic documents are sent to the signer in advance. The signer reviews and electronically signs (or clicks to acknowledge) the non-notarized portions of the closing package online, from the comfort of their home.
2. A subset of documents—specifically those that legally require a notarized, wet ink signature—are printed and signed in person with a mobile notary, at a local title office, or at another mutually agreed-upon location.
3. The signed paper documents are then shipped or hand-delivered back to the title company or lender for processing.

Hybrid closings are a popular choice because they dramatically reduce the number of pages that must be signed in person. A typical mortgage closing can involve 100 or more pages; in a hybrid closing, the in-person signing might be reduced to as few as 5–15 pages—only those absolutely requiring a wet signature and notarization.

Pros of hybrid closings:

• Significantly less time spent at the signing table
• Signer can review documents at their own pace before the in-person portion
• Available in virtually all U.S. states
• A comfortable step for buyers or sellers less familiar with fully digital processes

Cons of hybrid closings:

• Still requires an in-person meeting with a notary
• Paper documents must still be shipped, creating potential delays
• Not fully remote—a geographic limitation remains

What Is a Full RON Closing?

A full Remote Online Notarization (RON) closing is a 100% digital, 100% remote transaction. No in-person meeting is required at any point in the process.

In a full RON closing:

• The entire closing package is executed digitally.
• The notary and signer connect via a secure, state-approved audio-visual platform (such as Notarize, DocVerify, or similar RON technology providers).
• Identity verification is completed through a multi-layered process: the signer photographs their government-issued ID, which is analyzed by automated credential verification software, and then completes a Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) quiz.
• The notary applies a tamper-evident digital seal to all notarized documents.
• A complete video and audio recording of the session is securely stored, creating a detailed audit trail.
• Documents are instantly transmitted to the lender, title company, and county recorder.

Full RON closings are available in over 40 states as of 2026 and are becoming the preferred method for title companies, lenders, and savvy homebuyers who want maximum efficiency.

Pros of full RON closings:

• Completely remote—sign from anywhere in the world with an internet connection
• Available 24/7, not limited to business hours
• Enhanced fraud protection through multi-factor identity verification
• Eliminates shipping time, accelerating loan funding
• Ideal for out-of-state buyers, military families, and frequent travelers

Cons of full RON closings:

• Not yet legally authorized in every U.S. state (though acceptance is rapidly growing)
• Requires a reliable internet connection and a compatible device (laptop or tablet recommended)
• Some lenders and underwriters may not yet accept RON-signed documents, though this is increasingly rare

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Wet Closing	Hybrid Closing	Full RON Closing
In-person meeting required	Yes	Yes (limited)	No
Wet ink signatures	All documents	Notarized docs only	None
Digital signing	No	Partial	All documents
Notary present in person	Yes	Yes	No (remote)
Available in all states	Yes	Yes	40+ states
Funds disbursed same day	Usually	Usually	Usually
Best for	Local buyers, simple closings	Most traditional buyers	Remote buyers, investors, expats

Which Closing Type Is Right for You?

Choosing the right closing type depends on your specific circumstances:

• Choose a wet closing if you are local, comfortable with in-person processes, and your transaction is straightforward.
• Choose a hybrid closing if you want to reduce in-person time but are not yet in a state that fully authorizes RON, or if your lender requires at least some wet signatures.
• Choose a full RON closing if you are buying or selling remotely, are pressed for time, live in a RON-authorized state, and want the most secure and efficient experience possible.

Whichever path you choose, working with an experienced, commission-verified notary is essential. The notary's role—whether physically present or appearing on screen—is to confirm your identity, ensure you are signing willingly and under no duress, and provide the legal authentication that makes your documents enforceable.

Looking Glass Runners Is Ready for Your Closing

At Looking Glass Runners, we specialize in remote online notarization for real estate closings, refinances, home equity transactions, and more. Our notaries are trained in the latest RON technology and are available when you need them—including evenings and weekends.

Whether you need a full RON session or just have questions about how digital notarization works for your specific transaction, we're here to help you close with confidence.

Ready to get started? Schedule your online notarization session today and experience the future of real estate closings for yourself.