Identity verification and KBA requirements for online notarization, by state
How a remotely located signer's identity must be established: personal knowledge, credible witness, or credential analysis plus knowledge-based authentication.
Researched from primary sources for 44 of 51 jurisdictions and last reviewed 2026-08-31. Each value links the statute, rule, or Secretary of State page it came from, and is reported as that source states it. This describes what the law says; it is not legal advice.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Identity verification |
|---|---|---|
| AlaskaAKReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, oath from a credible witness, or government ID plus credential analysis and at least one type of identity proofing (AS 44.50.075(b)(1)) AS 44.50.075(b)(1)(summary) |
| ArizonaAZReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, a credible witness's oath/affirmation, or at least two different types of identity proofing (credential analysis plus a knowledge-based-authentication quiz under A.A.C. R2-12-1305) A.R.S. §41-263(B)(1); A.A.C. R2-12-1305(summary) |
| ArkansasARReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Notary's personal knowledge of the signer, or satisfactory evidence from a credible witness, or (together) remote presentation of a government-issued photo ID, credential analysis, and identity proofing Ark. Code Ann. § 21-14-309(b)(2)(summary) |
| ColoradoCOReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, a credible witness under oath, or remote presentation and credential analysis of a government ID plus one of dynamic knowledge-based authentication, a public-key certificate, or third-party identity verification C.R.S. § 24-21-514.5(6)(a)-(b)(summary) |
| DelawareDEReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, a credible witness under oath, or satisfactory evidence obtained by using at least 2 different types of identity proofing 29 Del. C. § 4320(c)(1)(summary) |
| District of ColumbiaDCReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, credible-witness oath, or 2 types of identity proofing — credential analysis plus a dynamic knowledge-based authentication assessment (§ 1-1231.13a(b)(1); 17 DCMR § 2417.1) D.C. Code § 1-1231.13a(b)(1); 17 DCMR § 2417.1(summary) |
| FloridaFLReviewed 2026-08-23 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, or a government ID with credential analysis and identity proofing (knowledge-based authentication or another approved method) Fla. Stat. § 117.265(4)(summary) |
| HawaiiHIReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, or oath/affirmation of a credible witness, or two different types of identity proofing (credential analysis plus knowledge-based authentication) HRS §456-23(b)(1); HAR §§5-11-69, 5-11-70(summary) |
| IdahoIDReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge (§51-107(1)), oath/affirmation from a credible witness (§51-107(2)), or 2 types of identity proofing incl. credential analysis + KBA (IDAPA 013) Idaho Code §51-114A(3)(a); IDAPA 34.07.01.013-014(summary) |
| IllinoisILReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, or remote presentation of a government photo ID plus credential analysis of both sides and a dynamic knowledge-based authentication assessment 5 ILCS 312/6A-103(b) |
| IndianaINReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge of the notary, OR a 3-step process (ID presentation with visual inspection, then credential analysis, then identity proofing/knowledge-based authentication), OR the oath of a credible witness "Identifying the Principal", Indiana Notary Public Guide, Ind. Secretary of State(summary) |
| IowaIAReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge (9B.7(1)), a credible witness under oath/affirmation (9B.7(2)), or at least two different types of identity proofing (9B.14A(3)(a)); since July 1, 2023 identity-proofing tech is not required if the notary personally knows the signer or the witness Iowa Code 9B.14A(3)(a); Iowa Admin. Code 721—43.9(summary) |
| KansasKSReviewed 2026-08-23 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, a credible witness, or at least two types of identity proofing (such as credential analysis of a government ID) K.S.A. 53-5a15(b)(1)(summary) |
| KentuckyKYReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, OR credible-witness oath/affirmation, OR at least 2 different identity-proofing processes/services (KRS 423.455(2)(a)) KRS 423.455(2)(a)1.–3.(summary) |
| LouisianaLAReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge of the individual, OR credential analysis of a government-issued photo ID plus identity proofing (dynamic knowledge-based auth or biometric analysis) R.S. 35:627(A); R.S. 35:622(summary) |
| MaineMEReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, OR a credible witness's oath/affirmation, OR at least 2 different types of identity proofing. 4 M.R.S. § 1915(3)(A)(1)-(3)(summary) |
| MarylandMDReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, a credible witness under oath, or remote presentation of an identification credential plus credential analysis and identity proofing Md. Code, State Gov't § 18-214(a)(1)(i)-(iii) |
| MassachusettsMAReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, a credible witness who knows both notary and signer, or at least two different types of identity-proofing processes M.G.L. c. 222, § 28(a) |
| MichiganMIReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, a credible witness under oath, or a current government photo ID; a remote act adds identity proofing and credential analysis through the approved platform MCL 55.285(6)(a)-(d) |
| MinnesotaMNReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge of the signer, OR remote presentation of a valid government-issued photo ID plus credential analysis plus identity proofing (knowledge-based Q&A, min. 80% correct) Minn. Stat. § 358.645, Subd. 7(b); Subd. 5(1) |
| MissouriMOReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, or (if approved by SOS rule) remote presentation of a photo ID plus credential analysis plus identity proofing, or any other SOS-rule-approved method, or a valid certificate meeting SOS rules RSMo 486.1145.1(summary) |
| MontanaMTReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | In person: personal knowledge, or satisfactory evidence (govt ID/credential, or oath of a credible witness). Remote appearance: two or more SOS-approved technologies (e.g., knowledge-based auth, public key certificate, identity proofing, credential analysis) (§1-5-603, MCA). §1-5-603, MCA(summary) |
| NebraskaNEReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge of the signer; OR remote gov't-issued ID presentation + credential analysis + identity proofing; OR oath of a credible witness with personal knowledge (conditions apply). Neb. Rev. Stat. § 64-411(2)(a)-(c) |
| NevadaNVReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, or credential analysis plus remote presentation of a government ID plus a dynamic knowledge-based authentication assessment, or another SOS-approved method or valid certificate NRS 240.1997(1)(summary) |
| New HampshireNHReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, or a credible witness's oath, or at least 2 types of identity proofing (credential analysis meeting the MISMO RON v1 standard satisfies this unless SOS sets its own rule) RSA 456-B:6-a, III(a) and X(summary) |
| New JerseyNJReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, a credible witness under oath (in person or by communication technology), or at least two different types of identity proofing — a third party's review of personal information from public or private data sources N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10(d)(1), (a)(3) |
| New MexicoNMReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge of the signer, or a credible witness's oath/affirmation, or satisfactory evidence from at least two different types of identity proofing (credential analysis plus knowledge-based authentication) NMSA 1978 § 14-14A-5(C)(1)(summary) |
| New YorkNYReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, a witness personally known to both signer and notary, or two or more processes — remote presentation of a government ID, credential analysis, and identity proofing to NIST IAL2 N.Y. Exec. Law § 135-c(2)(a)(iv); 19 NYCRR 182.5(c), 182.6, 182.7(summary) |
| North CarolinaNCReviewed 2026-08-24 | Out-of-state notary path | RON (not live): personal knowledge OR vendor credential analysis + identity proofing + notary's own comparison (G.S. 10B-134.11). EVN: personal knowledge or 1 photo ID (G.S. 10B-25(d)). G.S. 10B-134.11(a); G.S. 10B-25(d)(summary) |
| North DakotaNDReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge of the signer, at least two different types of identity proofing, or oath/affirmation from a credible witness appearing before the notary (§44-06.1-13.1(3)(a)) N.D.C.C. § 44-06.1-13.1(3)(a) |
| OhioOHReviewed 2026-08-23 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, or a government photo ID with credential analysis and identity proofing, or identification by a credible witness R.C. 147.64(C)(summary) |
| OklahomaOKReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge; OR remote presentation of a government ID plus credential analysis plus identity proofing; OR oath/affirmation of a credible witness known to or verified by the notary 49 O.S. § 208(B)(1)-(3) |
| OregonORReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge of the notary, OR a credible witness's sworn ID verification, OR at least two different types of identity proofing (credential analysis + data-source check) ORS 194.277(3)(a)(A)-(C)(summary) |
| PennsylvaniaPAReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, a credible witness under oath, or at least two different types of identity proofing 57 Pa.C.S. § 306.1(b)(1) |
| Rhode IslandRIReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, or a credible witness's oath/affirmation, or at least two different types of identity proofing (the SOS guide names ID-document check plus KBA) R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-30.1-12.1(b)(1)(summary) |
| TennesseeTNReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge of the principal, or remote presentation of a govt-issued photo ID plus credential analysis and identity proofing (5-question KBA quiz) T.C.A. § 8-16-310(b); Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1360-07-03-.03(4), -.05(3)(summary) |
| TexasTXReviewed 2026-08-23 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, or a government photo ID with credential analysis plus identity proofing Tex. Gov't Code § 406.110(b)(summary) |
| UtahUTReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Unexpired government-issued photo ID or passport, or a credible-witness oath/affirmation (several forms), plus "secondary authentication of identity" (dynamic knowledge-based questions or biometric analysis) required for remote acts specifically Utah Code § 46-1-2(25); § 46-1-3.6(2)(summary) |
| VermontVTReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge (§5365(a)), OR a credible witness's oath/affirmation (§5365(b)), OR at least two different types of identity proofing -- notary's choice 26 V.S.A. § 5379(b)(2)(A)-(C)(summary) |
| VirginiaVAReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, a credible witness personally known to the notary, or at least two of: credential analysis of a government ID, identity proofing, a PIV or digital certificate, or a knowledge-based authentication quiz Va. Code § 47.1-2 (definition of "satisfactory evidence of identity")(summary) |
| WashingtonWAReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, a credible witness under oath, or at least two different types of identity proofing RCW 42.45.280(3)(a) |
| West VirginiaWVReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, or credible-witness oath, or at least two different types of identity proofing (RON, §39-4-37(c)(1)); RIN allows those plus a government-issued photo ID review, §39-4-38(a)(2) W. Va. Code §39-4-37(c)(1)(summary) |
| WisconsinWIReviewed 2026-08-24 | RON authorized | Personal knowledge, a credible witness's oath/affirmation, or at least 2 different types of identity proofing (DFI has thus far approved credential analysis and dynamic knowledge-based authentication as the 2 types) Wis. Stat. § 140.145(3)(a); DFI Guidance (NOT71P) § 2A.4(summary) |
| WyomingWYReviewed 2026-08-31 | RON authorized | In person: personal knowledge, inspection of an identification credential, or a credible witness; for remote sessions, satisfactory evidence via two or more of dynamic knowledge-based authentication, a public key certificate, identity proofing, or credential analysis (W.S. 32-3-102(a)(xxxi)) W.S. 32-3-102(a)(xxxi)(summary) |
Not researched for this requirement
We have not established this value from a primary source for the following. That is a gap in our research, not a finding that the jurisdiction has no rule.
Compare another requirement
- In force sinceThe date the jurisdiction's remote online notarization provisions took effect, and the act that produced them.
- Signer locationWhere the signer may physically be during the session, including the conditions most states attach to signing from outside the United States.
- Notary fee capThe maximum a notary may charge per remote notarial act, where the jurisdiction sets one. This is the notary's statutory fee, not a platform price.
- Record retentionHow long the audio-visual recording and the notary's journal must be kept, and by whom.
- Document exclusionsDocument classes the jurisdiction places outside its remote online notarization provisions — most often wills and other estate-planning instruments.
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