Online Notary from the UK: A Guide to U.S. Remote Notarization
If you are in the UK and a U.S. business, agency, or mailbox provider asks for a U.S. notarization, remote online notarization may be an option. Your location in the UK does not, by itself, settle eligibility: the notary's state rules, your identity verification, the document, and the recipient's acceptance all matter.
Watch the Video Version
A short video guide can be added here after publication. This page explains the steps and important acceptance checks.
Can a Person in the UK Use a U.S. Online Notary?
Potentially, yes. For example, Virginia law defines remote online notarization as electronic notarization where the signer is not physically present with the notary. An eligible notary must follow the commissioning state's rules for the particular act. A U.S. notarization is not the same as a UK notarial act or a UK apostille.
What Must Happen During a Virginia Remote Online Notarization?
Virginia's electronic identity rules provide for video and audio conference technology that lets the notary communicate with and identify the signer at the time of the notarial act, together with required identity confirmation. Uploading an ID, signing a PDF, and exchanging emails alone should not be described as a completed Virginia remote online notarization. Confirm the approved identity and session process with the provider before paying.
What Should a UK Small-Business Owner Prepare?
- Ask the U.S. recipient for its exact document, notarial act, signature, and electronic-document requirements.
- Prepare the complete document and an unexpired government photo ID; confirm that your UK passport can be verified by the provider.
- Ask whether the act requires an acknowledgment, an oath or affirmation, witnesses, or additional business authority documentation.
- Check the time difference and make sure you can join any required live audio-video session.
- Ask whether a U.S. apostille or other authentication is required; a UK apostille for a UK document follows a different process.
Common U.S. Documents for UK-Based Signers
Examples may include U.S. business affidavits, authorisation letters, consent documents, and USPS Form 1583 for a U.S. mailbox. Each recipient controls its own requirements. A notary cannot decide for the recipient whether an electronic document or remote act is acceptable.
U.S. Remote Notary vs UK Notary Public
| Question | U.S. remote notary | UK notary public |
|---|---|---|
| Notarial authority | Commissioned under an applicable U.S. state's law | Acts under the applicable UK jurisdiction's rules |
| Format | Often an electronic document and certificate, subject to state rules | Confirm available formats and witnessing requirements with the UK notary |
| Best next step | Confirm U.S. recipient accepts this method | Confirm recipient requires UK notarisation or UK document legalisation |
How Much Does It Cost?
Notary20 advertises $20 per document for eligible services. Confirm the exact fee, process, any additional services, and whether your document can be completed before paying. Compare U.S. online-notary pricing in our Online Notary Cost Guide.
Questions to Ask Before You Start
- Will the U.S. recipient accept remote notarization and an electronically notarized PDF?
- Can the provider verify my UK ID and arrange the required live session?
- Does the document need a jurat, an acknowledgment, witnesses, or an apostille?
- Does the recipient require an original paper document instead?
Start with Notary20
Send the document and recipient requirements to Notary20 for an eligibility and process check. Confirm the legally required identity verification and live-session steps for any Virginia remote online notarization before proceeding. Acceptance and turnaround depend on the document and recipient.
Official References
Virginia Code $ 47.1-2 (remote online notarization and identification); GOV.UK: Get your document legalised (UK document legalisation).