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Pennsylvania · 57 Pa.C.S. §306.1Pennsylvania remote online notarization: the notary in Pennsylvania, the signer on video

Pennsylvania requires a signer to appear personally before the notary (57 Pa.C.S. §306), and since Act 97 of 2020 a remotely located individual may meet that requirement by appearing through communication technology that lets the notary and signer communicate simultaneously by sight and sound (§306.1(a), (i)). A notary public located in Pennsylvania may do so if the notary has personal knowledge of the signer's identity, has a credible witness, or can identify the signer by at least two different types of identity proofing; can identify the record as the one signed; and creates an audio-visual recording of the whole act (§306.1(b)(1)-(3)). A signer outside the United States qualifies when the record involves property in the United States or a transaction substantially connected with it, and signing is not prohibited where the signer is (§306.1(b)(4)). The certificate must state that the act was performed by means of communication technology (§306.1(c)-(d)), the recording is kept at least ten years (§306.1(e)), and the notary notifies the Department of State and identifies the technology before the first remote act (§306.1(f)).

What the statute sets

  1. Notary location (§306.1(b))

    The notary public is located in Pennsylvania; the signer can be remote.

  2. Identity (§306.1(b)(1))

    Personal knowledge, a credible witness or two types of identity proofing.

  3. Certificate (§306.1(c)-(d))

    States the act involved the use of communication technology.

  4. Recording (§306.1(e))

    Audio-visual recording kept at least 10 years.

What the TC checks before a Pennsylvania remote signing

  • Confirm the lender and title company accept a remote notarization for this closing.
  • Confirm the notary is in Pennsylvania and has notified the Department of State.
  • Check the certificate on each recorded document states that communication technology was used.

Questions about Pennsylvania remote notarization

Does the signer have to be in Pennsylvania for a remote notarization?

No. The notary must be located in Pennsylvania; a signer outside the United States qualifies when the record involves U.S. property or a transaction substantially connected with the U.S. (57 Pa.C.S. §306.1(b)).

How long is a Pennsylvania remote notarization recording kept?

At least ten years after it is created, or as the regulations require (57 Pa.C.S. §306.1(e)).

Related guides

Track the remote signing appointment and the recorded documents as tasks on the deal in ClosingCode.

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Sources: 57 Pa.C.S. §§306, 306.1 (palegis.us), read October 31, 2026.

General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage. This guide is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney.