Same Notary, Different Room: RON vs. IPEN Explained

IPEN and RON both use electronic documents, but only one of them lets you skip the trip.

If you've come across the terms IPEN and RON while researching notarization, you might assume they mean the same thing. They don't. Understanding the difference matters, especially if you're on a deadline and need to know exactly what kind of notary appointment you're booking.

This guide breaks down what each term means and why the distinction is important.

What Is IPEN?

IPEN stands for In-Person Electronic Notarization. It's a middle step between traditional paper notarization and fully remote notarization.

With IPEN, the document is electronic instead of paper. There's no ink signature and no physical paperwork to sign. However, you and the notary still need to be in the same room together, just like a traditional notarization. The notary watches you sign, checks your ID in person, and applies an electronic signature and seal instead of a physical stamp.

In simple terms: IPEN changes the document from paper to digital, but it does not change the requirement to meet the notary face to face.

What Is RON?

RON stands for Remote Online Notarization. This is what most people picture when they hear "notarize something online."

With RON, you and the notary are not in the same physical location. Instead, you connect through a live video call. The notary verifies your identity digitally, usually by checking a photo ID and asking a few identity verification questions. Once your identity is confirmed, you sign the document electronically and the notary completes the notarization, all without either of you leaving where you are.

RON is what allows, for example, someone in Ohio to have a document notarized by a notary commissioned in Florida, entirely online.

The Key Difference

One question decides everything: does your notary need to be standing next to you?

The main difference between IPEN and RON comes down to one question: does the notary need to be in the same room as you?

IPEN: Yes. You and the notary meet in person. The document is electronic, but the meeting is not remote.

RON: No. The entire notarization happens over a live video call. Neither person needs to be in the same location.

Aside from that, the two processes are fairly similar. Both involve an electronic signature, a digital seal, and a paperless document. The location requirement is what sets them apart.

Why This Distinction Matters

Not every state allows both IPEN and RON, and this is where confusion often comes in.

For example, Georgia currently allows IPEN, but does not currently allow RON. Georgia briefly permitted remote notarization during the COVID pandemic, but that temporary authorization expired and was never made permanent. This means a Georgia notary can notarize an electronic document in person, but cannot legally complete that same notarization over video.

Other states offer full RON but may not address IPEN separately, or treat it as a smaller part of their notarization laws.

Because "electronic notarization" can refer to either process, it's easy to assume a state allows fully remote notarization when it actually only allows the in-person electronic version. Knowing which one applies in your state, or in the state where your notary is commissioned, helps you avoid scheduling a remote appointment that isn't actually available.

Quick Reference

Same document, same legal weight, two very different appointments.

IPEN: Electronic document. The notary and signer must be in the same room.

RON: Electronic document. The notary and signer connect remotely through live video. No in-person meeting required.

If you're unsure which option applies to your situation, the safest step is to check directly with your notary or your state's Secretary of State office before assuming either service is available.

This reflects the state of notarization law as of September 2026.