What is Remote Online Notarization (RON)?

Remote Online Notarization (RON) is a fully digital process that allows a signer and a commissioned notary public to meet in a secure online environment via two-way audio-video technology, with no in-person meeting required. During a RON session, the signer signs documents electronically, and the notary applies a tamper-evident digital seal and an official electronic notarial certificate. The entire session is recorded and archived in a secure electronic journal as required by state law. Total Closing Solutions' notaries specialize in real estate transactions and legal document signings.

Is virtual notarization actually legal?

Yes, Remote Online Notarization is legally recognized across the United States, supported by the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), the federal SECURE Notarization Act, and the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Mortgage Bankers Association broadly accept RON-notarized documents for real estate transactions. Acceptance can vary by county recorder, lender, or receiving agency, so confirming with the specific receiving party is recommended.

How is RON different from In-Person Electronic Notarization (IPEN)?

Both RON and IPEN use digital signatures, but the key difference is location. With IPEN, the signer and notary are physically in the same room signing digitally on a tablet or computer. With RON, the signer and notary can be in completely different locations, even different states or countries, connecting via a secure real-time video call. Total Closing Solutions specializes in RON.

What types of documents can be notarized virtually?

Nearly any document that can be notarized in person can be handled via RON, including real estate closing documents (deeds, mortgages, promissory notes, closing disclosures, title transfers), powers of attorney, estate planning documents (wills, living trusts, trust agreements), affidavits and sworn statements, business and commercial documents, loan documents (refinance packages, HELOCs), and other legal agreements.

Can I use RON if I am currently located outside the United States?

Yes, in many cases. Signers may be located outside the United States at the time of notarization provided the notary is commissioned in a state that authorizes RON, the identity verification process complies with that state's laws, and the receiving party accepts RON. This makes RON valuable for U.S. expatriates, foreign nationals in U.S. property transactions, military personnel abroad, and traveling U.S. citizens. For signers outside the U.S., Knowledge-Based Authentication may not be available and biometric verification may be used instead where permitted.

How do you verify my identity online?

Identity verification combines credential analysis, multi-factor authentication, and either knowledge-based authentication (KBA) or biometric verification depending on location and state law. First, the signer photographs their government-issued photo ID for forensic-grade authenticity checks. U.S.-based signers with sufficient credit history typically complete KBA, answering five dynamically generated security questions within about 2 minutes. Signers outside the U.S. or without sufficient U.S. credit history may instead use biometric verification such as facial recognition and liveness detection, where permitted by state law.

What happens if I cannot complete Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA)?

If a signer cannot complete KBA, alternative identity verification methods may be available depending on the signer's location, the notary's commissioning state, and the technology platform used. Alternatives may include biometric identity verification, such as facial recognition matched against a government-issued ID combined with liveness detection. Not all jurisdictions or transaction types permit alternatives to KBA; if identity cannot be verified as required by law, the notarization cannot proceed.

Is my personal data safe with Total Closing Solutions?

Yes. Total Closing Solutions uses 256-bit SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmissions, stores records in encrypted secure repositories, requires multi-factor authentication for staff access, restricts client information to authorized personnel, and maintains a tamper-evident audit trail for every RON session. The company complies with applicable federal and state privacy laws, including the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) where applicable.

What data does Total Closing Solutions collect and retain?

Total Closing Solutions collects full legal name, date of birth, government-issued identification, contact details, financial and property information required for real estate transactions, electronic signatures, notarization session recordings, and identity verification data. Transaction records and notarized documents are retained for five to ten years or longer as required by applicable state recordkeeping laws.

What RON platforms does Total Closing Solutions use?

Total Closing Solutions primarily operates on two FNF-approved RON platforms: Proof (proof.com), an identity verification and RON platform for title agents and lenders, and BlueNotary (bluenotary.us), an eClosing, eVault, eNote, and RON platform for title and lending professionals. Both are listed on the Fidelity National Financial (FNF) Digital Closing Hub as compliant RON platforms.

What is FNF/Fidelity and why does platform compliance matter?

Fidelity National Financial (FNF) is one of the largest title insurance underwriters in the United States and a standard-setter for processes across the title industry. Using FNF-approved platforms is critical to ensuring notarized documents are accepted by title companies, lenders, and underwriters. Total Closing Solutions is also aligned with the standards of Old Republic and Stewart Title.

What devices can I use for my notarization session?

No special software is required, only a standard internet-connected device with a camera and microphone. Compatible devices include desktop computers and laptops with a webcam, microphone, and speakers; iPad and Android tablets with a front-facing camera and microphone; and iOS or Android smartphones with a camera capable of clearly capturing a government-issued ID. Desktop or laptop computers are recommended for complex real estate closings with large document packages.

What are the internet connection requirements?

A stable internet connection is required to maintain a continuous audio-video feed. The minimum speed is 5 Mbps upload and 5 Mbps download, with 10 Mbps or higher recommended. A wired Ethernet connection or strong Wi-Fi is preferred over cellular data.

Which web browsers are supported?

Total Closing Solutions supports up-to-date versions of Google Chrome (recommended for best performance), Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge on Windows, and Safari for Mac and iPhone/iPad users. Browsers should be kept updated to avoid camera or microphone access issues.

Are there specific camera and lighting requirements?

The camera must provide a clear, live, focused video feed. Signers should sit in a well-lit room with light facing them, avoid backlight from bright windows, hold IDs steady for photographing, and use a clean, uncluttered background with no other individuals visible unless they are also parties to the signing.

What should I do if I experience technical issues during my session?

If the internet connection drops, reconnect and use the original session link from your email to rejoin. If the camera or microphone stops working, refresh the browser page or check privacy settings for camera and microphone permissions. If issues persist, clear the browser cache and cookies or switch to a different supported browser or device. If problems continue, contact Total Closing Solutions at info@lc.totalclosingsolutions.com or +1 877-369-8350, and the session will be rescheduled at no penalty for platform-side technical difficulties.

What happens step by step during a RON session?

A typical session includes: scheduling and document preparation; two-step identity verification (credential analysis plus KBA or biometric verification); connecting to the secure video platform where the notary verifies identity on screen; document review; electronic signing; the notary applying their official digital seal and notarial certificate; secure recording and archiving of the session in an electronic notarial journal; and finally, secure email delivery of the tamper-evident final PDF document.

What happens if my document requires a witness?

Many states permit virtual witnesses for RON sessions. If a document legally requires a witness, such as a Will or certain Power of Attorney documents, the witness can join the video session remotely, be identified on screen by the notary, sign the document electronically, and have their participation certified in the notarial certificate. Signers should inform Total Closing Solutions during scheduling if a witness is required.

How do I receive my completed notarized document?

Immediately after the session concludes and the notary applies their digital seal, the signer receives an email with a secure link to download the final, tamper-evident PDF document, which is cryptographically sealed so any later alterations are detectable. If the document needs to go to a third party such as a lender, title company, or county recorder, Total Closing Solutions coordinates that delivery.

Will county recorders, banks, and lenders accept a digitally notarized document?

In most cases, yes. Over 44 states have enacted permanent RON legislation, and Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Mortgage Bankers Association widely accept RON-notarized documents for real estate transactions. Acceptance of biometric identity verification as an alternative to KBA varies by state, transaction type, and receiving institution, so confirming acceptance with all relevant parties before scheduling is recommended.

What services does Total Closing Solutions offer?

Total Closing Solutions offers Virtual Notary / Remote Online Notarization (RON) available worldwide for U.S. documents, Real Estate Closing Services including document preparation review and disbursement coordination, Title & Escrow Services, Attorney Services for qualifying transactions, Legal Document Signing Services for wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, and Contractor Services for construction-related legal documents.

How do I schedule an appointment?

Appointments can be scheduled online through the scheduling tool at totalclosingsolutions.com, by emailing info@lc.totalclosingsolutions.com with name, document type, and preferred date/time, or by calling +1 877-369-8350. Appointments are confirmed once required documentation and identification have been received.

What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?

Total Closing Solutions reserves the right to reschedule appointments due to unforeseen circumstances, technology issues, or scheduling conflicts, and provides as much advance notice as possible. Clients needing to cancel or reschedule should contact the team as soon as possible at info@lc.totalclosingsolutions.com or +1 877-369-8350.

How much do your services cost?

Service fees are determined at the time of scheduling based on the type of service, transaction complexity, and applicable state requirements, and are confirmed before the appointment is booked. Fees are exclusive of taxes, county recording fees, or third-party charges such as title insurance or lender fees.

What title insurance underwriting standards does Total Closing Solutions comply with?

Total Closing Solutions operates on RON platforms compliant with Fidelity National Financial's (FNF) agency underwriting guidelines. Its primary platforms, Proof and BlueNotary, are listed on the FNF Digital Closing Hub as meeting FNF's requirements for safety, security, and accuracy, and the company is also aligned with the standards of Old Republic and Stewart Title.

Does Total Closing Solutions provide legal advice?

No. Total Closing Solutions provides signing facilitation, notarization, and document processing services only. Its notaries and staff are not licensed attorneys and cannot provide legal, financial, tax, or investment advice. Clients with questions about the legal sufficiency, meaning, or enforceability of a document should consult a licensed real estate attorney.

Can a notarization be refused?

Yes. Notaries are legally and professionally obligated to refuse notarization if the signer appears confused, disoriented, intoxicated, or otherwise lacks mental capacity; shows signs of acting under duress; cannot be identified through the required verification process; presents a document that appears fraudulent, incomplete, or altered; or if identity cannot be verified as required by law with no available alternative.

What mortgage and real estate regulations does Total Closing Solutions comply with?

Total Closing Solutions complies with RESPA, TILA where applicable to loan document closings, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, state Remote Online Notarization statutes, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac RON guidelines, FNF agency underwriting guidelines, and the CCPA where applicable to California residents.

How can I contact Total Closing Solutions?

Total Closing Solutions can be reached by email at info@lc.totalclosingsolutions.com, by phone at +1 877-369-8350, or through totalclosingsolutions.com. The team aims to respond to all inquiries within one business day.

Is Remote Online Notarization legal in Florida?

Yes. Florida has authorized Remote Online Notarization since January 1, 2020, under Chapter 117, Part II of the Florida Statutes. Florida notaries who complete state-required training and registration can perform legally binding RON sessions for real estate closings, powers of attorney, and most other documents that require notarization. At Total Closing Solutions, every notarization is performed by a Florida-registered online notary public in full compliance with these requirements.

Do county recorders in Florida accept remotely notarized documents?

Yes. Florida county recorders and clerks of court accept properly executed RON documents — including deeds, mortgages, and other real estate closing documents — as long as they meet Florida's notarial certificate and tamper-evident technology requirements. Because our notarizations are performed to these standards, documents from Total Closing Solutions are prepared to record without issue.

Does Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac accept RON-notarized mortgage documents?

Yes. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac both accept remotely notarized security instruments, provided the notarization is performed in a state that permits RON and the platform used meets their published requirements, including compliance with MISMO RON Standards. Total Closing Solutions uses an approved RON platform so your closing documents meet investor and lender requirements without added delays.

Can Power of Attorney or estate planning documents be notarized remotely?

In many cases, yes — Florida law permits RON for powers of attorney and most estate planning documents, though certain document types carry additional requirements, such as electronic wills, which have separate statutory provisions. Our notaries will confirm eligibility for your specific document before your session, so there are no surprises at signing time.

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