RON Authorization in Virginia
Virginia is historically significant: it was the first state in the United States to authorize Remote Online Notarization, doing so in 2011 — nearly a decade before most states. Virginia's RON framework has been updated several times since then. Under current Virginia law, a notary must use an approved RON platform, verify signer identity through KBA or credential analysis, and maintain an electronic journal plus audio-visual recording for 5 years. Because Virginia pioneered RON, lender and title company acceptance of Virginia RON is extremely high. Virginia RON is also notable for having a long track record and relatively few implementation disputes.
Virginia RON Quick Facts
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| RON authorized since | 2011 (first state in the U.S.) |
| Governing law | Virginia Code §47.1-6 et seq. |
| Platform requirement | Must use approved RON technology platform |
| KBA identity verification | Yes |
| Credential analysis | Yes |
| Journal + recording retention | 5 years (journal + recording) |
| Verify current rules at | commonwealth.virginia.gov |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally yes, if your Virginia 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 Virginia'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.