How a Florida RON Session Actually Runs, Start to Finish

A Florida notary walks through what actually happens in a RON session: booking, ID verification, the recorded signing, and what you get afterward.

Published 2026-08-04

Booking and getting your documents ready

Every RON session starts before the video call. I collect the document, confirm what kind of notarial act it needs (an acknowledgment or a sworn oath), and make sure you'll be physically located in Florida at signing time, since that's a real requirement under Fla. Stat. §117.265(1), not just a formality.

I also ask what device you'll use and confirm you have a valid government-issued photo ID on hand. RON works from a phone, tablet, or computer, but the audio and video need to be clear enough for credential analysis and for the recording itself.

Confirming who you are before anything gets signed

Before any signature happens, Florida requires me to confirm your identity through two layers: credential analysis on your government-issued photo ID, plus identity proofing through knowledge-based questions (Fla. Stat. §117.201, §117.265(2)). Both run over audio-video communication technology that meets the chapter's requirements, not a plain phone call.

If the ID doesn't pass credential analysis, or you can't answer the identity-proofing questions, I can't move forward with the notarization. That's not me being difficult; it's the standard every RON session in Florida has to clear.

The recorded signing itself

Once identity is confirmed, the actual notarial act starts, and Florida spells out exactly what the recording has to capture (Fla. Stat. §117.245(2)): your appearance and identity confirmation on camera, a description of the record being signed, your declaration that you're signing knowingly and voluntarily, and every spoken word and action through to the signature.

If the document needs a witness, I supervise that over the same audio-video connection (Fla. Stat. §117.285). The witness can be next to you or joining remotely, as long as everyone can see, hear, and communicate with each other in real time.

  • Government-issued photo ID ready and visible on camera
  • Stable audio-video connection for the full session
  • You are physically located in Florida at signing time
  • Any required witness is set up before the call starts

Fees, and what you get afterward

Florida caps what I can charge for the notarial act itself at $25 (Fla. Stat. §117.275). A RON platform's separate technology fee is not part of that cap and gets billed on its own.

After the session, I log the notarization in an electronic journal (date, type of act, description of the record, and how your identity was confirmed) and keep a secure backup, per Fla. Stat. §117.245(1). You walk away with your signed, notarized document; I keep the journal entry and recording on file.

None of this is legal advice, and I'm a notary and document-automation provider, not an attorney. If you're not sure whether your document even needs notarization or a witness, that's a question for whoever asked you to sign it, or a licensed Florida attorney.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to be in Florida to use a Florida RON session?

Yes. Florida law requires you to be physically located in Florida at the time of signing for a Florida RON session to be valid (Fla. Stat. §117.265(1)).

What happens if my ID fails credential analysis?

I can't complete the notarization. Both credential analysis and knowledge-based identity proofing have to pass before I move forward (Fla. Stat. §117.201, §117.265(2)).

How much does a RON session cost?

The notarial act itself is capped at $25 under Florida law (Fla. Stat. §117.275). Some RON platforms charge a separate technology fee on top of that, which is not part of the cap.

Is the session recorded?

Yes. Florida requires an audio-video recording of the entire session, including your identity confirmation, the document description, and your signature (Fla. Stat. §117.245(2)).

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