Frequently Asked Questions
Scroll below to find the most frequently asked questions and their answers.
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Absolutely — and the legal framework supporting it is stronger than ever. According to the National Association of Secretaries of State, 47 states and the District of Columbia now have laws that allow some form of remote online notarization. Thanks to national standards and widespread state-level adoption, institutions like banks, courts, and government agencies are legally required to accept electronically notarized documents.
A document notarized online is legally valid in all 50 states due to interstate recognition laws. As long as the notary is commissioned in a state that permits RON — regardless of where you are physically located during signing — your document is valid and enforceable.
A compliant RON session includes live two-way audio-video communication, multi-factor identity verification, and a tamper-evident digital certificate on the completed document— making it not just legally sound, but in many ways more secure than a traditional in-person notarization.
Amy Gentry, our certified RON notary, is fully commissioned in Tennessee and authorized to perform remote online notarizations in compliance with all applicable state laws. Every session we conduct meets or exceeds the legal requirements for validity and enforceability.
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Good news — if you're reading this on a smartphone or computer, you likely already have everything you need. Participating in a remote online notarization session with Anywhere Notary is simple and requires no special equipment or downloads.
Here's what you'll need:
A computer, tablet, or smartphone with a working camera and microphone. A stable internet connection — WiFi is preferred to avoid interruptions during your session. A valid, government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport, which you will present to the camera for identity verification. Access to the secure RON platform link we will send you prior to your appointment — no software installation required.
That's it. Most sessions are completed in 15 minutes or less from the comfort of your home, office, or wherever you happen to be. We'll walk you through every step before we begin so there are no surprises.
If you experience any technical difficulties during your session, simply contact us and we will reschedule at no additional charge.
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Identity verification is a required part of every RON session — it's what makes the process legally valid and protects everyone involved. There are two layers of verification you'll go through: credential analysis of your government-issued photo ID, and Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA), which involves answering a few multiple-choice questions drawn from your personal background such as previous addresses, financial history, or employment.
If your ID fails verification, here's what you can expect:
For KBA specifically, you have two attempts to answer four out of five questions correctly within two minutes. If both attempts are unsuccessful, you will need to wait 24 hours before trying again. This is a platform-level security requirement, not something we control.
If verification cannot be completed, the notarization session cannot legally proceed. In that case we will work with you to explore your options, which may include rescheduling once you have gathered additional documentation, or in some situations, referring you to an in-person notary alternative.
To give yourself the best chance of passing on the first try, we recommend having the following ready before your session:
A current, unexpired government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
Your current and previous addresses and zip codes handy
A mobile number from a standard carrier (Google Voice and VOIP numbers are not accepted by most verification systems)
Our goal is always to get your documents notarized as smoothly as possible. If you have any concerns about the verification process before your appointment, just reach out — we're happy to walk you through what to expect.
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Absolutely — and this is one of the most powerful advantages of working with Anywhere Notary.
As a Tennessee-commissioned RON notary service, Anywhere Notary can notarize documents for signers across the U.S. and even internationally, as long as our notary is physically located in Tennessee at the time of the notarization. That means it doesn't matter if you're in California, New York, Louisiana, or anywhere in between — you can book a session with us and get your documents notarized from wherever you are.
RON laws apply to the notary and their commission, not to the signer. So even if your home state hasn't fully implemented its own RON laws yet, Tennessee allows remote online notarization for out-of-state documents, meaning an Anywhere Notary notary can notarize your document electronically even if you are from a different state.
The only thing to keep in mind is that certain document types — particularly those involving international institutions or specific legal proceedings — may have additional requirements. If you're unsure whether your document qualifies, just reach out before booking and we'll let you know right away. We'd rather answer your question upfront than have you find out mid-session.
Bottom line: wherever you are in the U.S., Anywhere Notary can serve you — any day of the week.
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We keep payment simple and transparent — no surprises, no hidden fees. Booking Deposit — All Appointments: A non-refundable booking deposit is required at the time of scheduling to reserve your appointment:
Standard RON sessions — $25 non-refundable deposit
Loan signing appointments — $75 non-refundable deposit
Your deposit is applied toward your total session fee. The remaining balance is due in full at the time of your session.
For Individual RON Sessions and Legal Document Notarizations: Remaining balance is collected in full at the time of your session via credit or debit card. Your total will reflect exactly what is listed on our pricing page. Nothing more.
For Loan Signings: Remaining balance is due in full at the time of the signing session. We will confirm your total before the session begins so you know exactly what to expect.
For Business Monthly Package Clients: Business clients are invoiced professionally through our billing system. Your invoice will be sent promptly and will include a detailed summary of services rendered. Payment is due upon receipt.
Accepted Payment Methods:
Credit and debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
Invoice via secure digital billing for business clients All transactions are processed securely. If you have a question about payment before your appointment, reach out at amy@anywherenotary.org and we'll be happy to help.
Zelle and Venmo available upon request.
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We understand that life happens. Our cancellation policy is designed to be fair to both our clients and our team.
Standard RON Sessions — 24 Hour Notice Required: If you need to cancel or reschedule a standard RON session, simply notify us at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. There is no additional charge for cancellations made within this window, however your $25 booking deposit is non-refundable. You are welcome to rebook at a time that works better for you.
Loan Signing Appointments — 48 Hour Notice Required: Loan signing appointments require a minimum of 48 hours notice to cancel or reschedule. Because loan signings involve significant preparation, document review, and dedicated scheduling, we must hold this standard to protect the time invested by our team. Your $75 booking deposit is non-refundable regardless of when the cancellation is made.
Late Cancellations and No-Shows: Cancellations made after the required notice window or missed appointments without notice will be treated as follows:
Standard RON sessions — $25 deposit is forfeited. No additional charge.
Loan signing appointments — $75 deposit is forfeited. No additional charge.
In both cases, you are welcome to rebook a new appointment with a new deposit. How to Cancel or Reschedule: To cancel or reschedule please contact us as soon as possible at amy@anywherenotary.org.
We will always do our best to accommodate schedule changes when given adequate notice. We appreciate your respect for our time and look forward to serving you.
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Yes — every Anywhere Notary session is recorded, and your data is protected through multiple layers of security. In fact, remote online notarization is in many ways more secure than traditional in-person notarization.
Session Recording: Every RON session is recorded in full, including the live audio-video interaction, identity verification, and document signing. These recordings are stored securely for a minimum of 10 years as required by Tennessee state law. The recording serves as a legally defensible record of your notarization and protects all parties involved should any questions arise about the transaction in the future.
Document Security: Once your document is notarized, it is sealed with a tamper-evident digital certificate. This means that any attempt to alter the document after the notarial seal is applied will be immediately detectable — providing a level of document integrity that a traditional ink stamp simply cannot match.
Identity Protection: Your identity verification data is processed through secure, encrypted third-party platforms that meet state and federal compliance standards. Your personal information is used solely for the purpose of verifying your identity and completing your notarization — it is never sold or shared with outside parties.
Platform Security: All sessions are conducted through state-approved RON platforms that use encrypted audio-video connections, ensuring that only you, our notary, and any authorized parties are present in the session.
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Yes — and this is one of our specialties. Anywhere Notary can remotely notarize real estate closing documents including mortgage packages, deeds, refinancing paperwork, and more. With over twenty years of real estate and title industry experience behind our team, we understand the stakes of a real estate transaction and handle every document with the precision and professionalism the process demands. If you are a lender, title company, real estate agent, or individual buyer or seller looking for a remote closing solution, we are equipped to help. Contact us at amy@anywherenotary.org to discuss your specific needs before booking.
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Most standard RON sessions are completed in 15 minutes or less from start to finish. This includes identity verification, the live video session, document signing, and application of the notarial seal. Loan signing sessions typically run longer — between 45 minutes and one hour — depending on the size and complexity of the document package. We recommend logging in a few minutes early to ensure your device and internet connection are ready so your session starts on time.
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If your internet connection drops during a RON session, the session must be terminated immediately. This is not just our policy — it is a legal requirement. A continuous, uninterrupted audio-video connection must be maintained throughout the entire notarization for it to be legally valid. If a disconnection occurs, simply contact us at amy@anywherenotary.org and we will reschedule your session at no additional charge. To minimize the risk of disconnection, we strongly recommend using a stable WiFi connection rather than mobile data for your session.
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Yes — witnesses can participate in your RON session if your document requires them. However, please note that you are responsible for arranging your own witnesses in advance. Each witness must also complete identity verification and be present on camera for the duration of the signing. If your document requires witnesses, please let us know when booking so we can set up the session correctly and ensure everything runs smoothly.
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Once your session is complete and the notarial seal has been applied, your finished document will be available for immediate digital download. You will receive a secure link via email to access and download your notarized document — no printing, no mailing, and no waiting. Your document will be delivered as a tamper-evident PDF, sealed with a digital certificate that confirms its authenticity. If you need a certified physical copy, please let us know in advance and we can discuss options.
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Yes — and it is actually more cost effective to do so. You can notarize multiple documents within a single session at a reduced rate of $15 per additional document after the first. This is a great option if you have several documents that need notarizing at the same time, such as an estate planning package or a set of business agreements. Simply let us know how many documents you need notarized when booking so we can allocate the right amount of time for your session.
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Yes — same-day appointments are available for standard RON sessions based on availability. If you need a document notarized urgently, contact us at amy@anywherenotary.org as early in the day as possible and we will do our best to accommodate you. Please note that same-day availability is not guaranteed and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Loan signing appointments require a minimum of 48 hours notice due to the preparation involved and are not available same-day.
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While RON covers a wide range of documents, there are some exceptions depending on state law and the nature of the document. Documents that may not qualify for remote online notarization include certain vital records such as birth and death certificates, some immigration documents, documents requiring an apostille for international use, and certain documents that specifically require a wet ink signature by law. If you are unsure whether your document qualifies, reach out to us before booking at amy@anywherenotary.org — we would rather answer your question upfront than have you find out mid-session.
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Yes — international clients can use Anywhere Notary services as long as they meet the identity verification requirements. You must have a valid U.S. government-issued photo ID and be able to complete our Knowledge-Based Authentication process, which draws from U.S.-based personal history records. Our notary must be physically located in Tennessee at the time of the session, but your physical location is not a barrier. Please note that some foreign institutions and countries may not accept remotely notarized documents, so we recommend confirming acceptance with the receiving party before booking. Contact us at amy@anywherenotary.org if you have questions about your specific situation.
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We know that document deadlines don't always respect the calendar. Anywhere Notary is available on select holidays to make sure you're never left without options when time-sensitive documents need to be handled. Holiday appointments are subject to availability and are booked at our after-hours and weekend premium rate of an additional $50. Contact us at amy@anywherenotary.org to check availability for a specific holiday date.

