RON Authorization in Florida
Florida authorized RON via HB 409 and was one of the first large-population states to make RON broadly available. Florida requires the notary to hold a current Florida notary commission and use an approved RON platform. Identity verification must use KBA, credential analysis, or both, depending on the transaction type. The audio-visual recording and electronic journal must be retained for 10 years — among the longer retention periods for RON states. Florida RON is widely accepted by lenders and title companies. The right of rescission applies to RON-executed refinances and HELOCs just as it does for in-person signings.
Florida RON Quick Facts
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| RON authorized since | 2019 (effective Jan 1, 2020) |
| Governing law | HB 409 |
| Platform requirement | Must be registered with FL Department of State |
| KBA identity verification | Yes |
| Credential analysis | Yes |
| Journal + recording retention | 10 years (journal + recording) |
| Verify current rules at | notaries.dos.myflorida.com |
What Is KBA and Credential Analysis?
Remote Online Notarization uses two primary methods to verify the identity of a signer who is not physically present:
Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) presents the signer with a series of multiple-choice questions drawn from public records — previous addresses, vehicle registrations, former employers. The signer must answer correctly within a time limit. KBA is a widely accepted RON identity verification method but has known limitations for signers with thin public records.
Credential Analysis involves the signer uploading a photo of their government-issued ID, which is then analyzed by the RON platform using optical character recognition and security feature verification. Many platforms require both KBA and credential analysis for loan document signings.
Right of Rescission and RON
The federal 3-day right of rescission that applies to refinance and HELOC transactions is not waived by using RON. The rescission period begins on the date the notarized documents are complete. The notary must provide the borrower with the Notice of Right to Cancel in electronic form, and the borrower must acknowledge receipt. Lenders have specific requirements about how this is documented in a RON session — confirm with the title company before the appointment.
Florida's Early RON Adoption and 10-Year Retention
Florida authorized RON under HB 409 effective January 1, 2020 — among the first large-population states to do so. Florida's 10-year retention requirement for electronic journals and audio-visual recordings is one of the longer nationally, reflecting the state's active real estate market and the high value of many Florida transactions. For signing agents building a RON practice in Florida, the 10-year retention requirement means platform selection should account for long-term data management: storage reliability, cost over 10 years, and what happens to records if you switch platforms or if the platform closes.
Florida RON Identity Verification
Florida requires both knowledge-based authentication and credential analysis for RON identity verification. Florida's diverse market — with significant Spanish-speaking populations in South Florida and Central Florida — means KBA failure rates can be above average for signers with limited U.S. public records history. International buyers, recent immigrants, and foreign national borrowers are particularly likely to encounter KBA failures. Florida title companies with extensive RON experience have established protocols for handling KBA failures — confirm the backup plan before scheduling any RON session with a non-traditional borrower profile.
Florida's International Buyer Market and RON
Florida has one of the highest proportions of international buyers of any U.S. state — particularly South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach counties). Latin American, European, and Canadian buyers are active in South Florida markets. For these buyers, RON offers a convenient remote closing option — but international signers present specific challenges: foreign passports for credential analysis, thin U.S. public records for KBA, and time zone considerations for scheduling. Not all RON platforms handle international signers with equal effectiveness. Verify your platform's international signer capabilities before accepting a RON assignment for a foreign national borrower.
Florida RON Record Retention Compliance
Florida's 10-year retention requirement is not merely a best practice — it carries legal weight. Florida notaries performing RON are responsible for ensuring records are maintained for the full 10-year period. This obligation survives platform changes, business interruptions, and personal career transitions. If you stop performing RON, your historical session records must still be accessible for the retention period. Before switching platforms, download or transfer your complete record archive — do not assume a previous platform will maintain your records after you leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally yes, if your Florida commission authorizes RON. Most RON-authorizing states permit their notaries to perform RON for signers located anywhere, including other states. However, the receiving state may have its own rules about whether it will accept a document notarized via RON from an out-of-state notary. For loan documents, lender acceptance is the practical controlling factor — always confirm with the title company.
RON is conducted through a specialized platform, not via a standard video call. The platform handles the audio-visual session, identity verification, document execution, and record retention. You need a computer with a working camera and microphone, a reliable internet connection, and an account with a state-approved RON platform. Most platforms have their own system requirements — verify these before your first session.
For RON, the electronic journal is typically maintained by the RON platform rather than by the notary manually. The platform automatically records the required fields from each session. You should verify that your platform generates entries that meet Florida's specific statutory requirements and that you have access to export or archive your records if you change platforms. Never assume the platform handles everything — review a sample journal entry to confirm it captures all required fields.