A remote online notary closing lets you sign and notarize real estate documents over a live video call instead of meeting a notary in person, and it's been legal in Washington since 2020. For a lot of Spokane buyers and sellers, this is genuinely one of the more convenient parts of a modern closing, no scheduling around a notary's availability or taking time off work to sign in person. Here's how it actually works and what to know before you count on it for your specific closing.
Is Remote Online Notarization Actually Legal in Washington?
Yes. Washington legalized remote online notarization, known as RON, in March 2020 under RCW 42.45, built on the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts. Washington was one of the earlier states to adopt this framework, and real estate documents, including mortgage and closing paperwork used in Spokane real estate transactions, are among the document types eligible for remote notarization here.
What Actually Happens During a Remote Notary Closing?
During a remote online notary closing, you connect with a commissioned notary over a live video call, verify your identity, and sign your documents electronically while the notary witnesses the entire process on camera. The notary confirms your identity using credential analysis and identity verification tools required under WAC 308-30, then witnesses your signature in real time, the same core function as an in person notarization, just conducted over video instead of across a table.
What Do You Need Before a Remote Closing?
A few things to have ready:
- A government issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport
- A device with a working camera, microphone, and stable internet connection
- Access to the specific platform your notary or title company is using
- Any co-signers logged in separately, since each party typically signs individually
Who Can Actually Perform a Remote Notarization in Washington?
Only a notary who holds a current Washington notary commission and has received separate approval from the Washington State Department of Licensing to perform remote acts can legally conduct a RON closing. Not every commissioned notary automatically has this authorization, and the notary must use approved technology and maintain a recorded audio and video session, retained for at least 10 years, as part of the legal requirements.
Will Everyone in Your Transaction Actually Accept a Remote Closing?
Even when Washington law allows remote notarization for your document, your specific lender, title company, or the county recorder still needs to accept it, and their internal policies matter just as much as state law. This is the detail that catches people off guard. Just because RON is legal doesn't automatically mean every party in your transaction is set up to accept it. Confirming this early, rather than assuming, avoids a late surprise close to your closing date.
What Does a Remote Closing Cost?
Washington caps the fee a notary can charge for an electronic notarial act at $25, though this covers the notarization itself, not necessarily every cost associated with a digital closing platform. Some title companies or platforms may have their own service fees layered on top, so it's worth asking what the total cost looks like rather than assuming the notary fee is the only charge involved.
What Does This Mean for Buyers and Sellers in Spokane?
Remote closings offer real convenience, but they work best when every party in the transaction, your lender, your title company, and the notary, is actually set up to support one. Emiley and Zech at Rios and Co Real Estate can help you understand whether a remote closing is realistic for your specific transaction well before your closing date arrives.
About the Authors
Closing day logistics matter just as much as the paperwork itself. Emiley and Zech at Rios and Co Real Estate help buyers and sellers figure out what's actually possible for their specific closing, remote, in person, or a mix of both, before it becomes a last minute question.
This article is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Remote notarization requirements and acceptance vary by lender, title company, and transaction. For guidance specific to your closing, consult your real estate agent, lender, or title company directly.
