With remote notarization, a signer personally appears before the Notary at the time of the notarization using audio-visual technology over the internet instead of being physically present in the same room. Remote online notarization is also called webcam notarization, online notarization or virtual notarization.*
A major benefit of remote notarization is that it allows individuals who are under quarantine due to the COVID pandemic (or otherwise house-bound) access to notarial services from the safety and comfort of their own home, provided that they also have access to the necessary technology. It can also bridge the gap between private parties in long-distance real estate or DMV transactions.
* Source: Michael Lewis, “Remote Notarization: What You Need to Know.” National Notary Association, National Notary Association, 27 June 2018 (updated 3 Aug. 2021), https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2018/06/remote-notarization-what-you-need-to-know.