Consumers in several states reported being contacted by an electronic notarization service provider. The provider claimed their service could offer an online notary via webcam that bypasses the need to appear in person to receive notarization.
![Cc-notary2[1]](https://ritarrobison.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TPImport/6a00e5500815768834015433ba5064970c.jpg "Cc-notary2[1]")
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt cautioned consumers not to use these services.
“Online notaries are illegal and should not be used by Oklahoma consumers,” Pruitt said in a statement. “A document must be notarized in person by a notary public with a valid state commission number.
A notary public acts as an official witness to the identity of a person who comes before the notary. A notary witnesses signatures, administers oaths, certifies oaths, and certifies copies.
The National Association of Secretaries of State advises states not to allow notary publics to perform an electronic notarization if the document signer doesn’t appear in person before the notary public at the time of notarization.
In addition to Oklahoma, a number of states, including California and Wisconsin, prohibit online notary public services.
