Remote online notarization (RON) has made it far easier to notarize documents without appearing in person. California signers frequently take advantage of this by using online notaries commissioned in other states. However, one common and frustrating question arises afterward: why can’t that online notarization be used to obtain a California apostille?
The short answer is that California law does not yet allow California notaries to perform online notarizations—and apostilles are tied to the notary’s commissioning state, not the signer’s location.
Apostilles Are Issued by the Notary’s Commissioning State, Not the Signer’s State
An apostille is issued by a Secretary of State to certify the authenticity of a notary’s commission and signature for international use under the Hague Apostille Convention. Importantly, only the state that commissioned the notary can issue the apostille.
So even if you are physically located in California, if your document is notarized online by a notary commissioned in Texas, Florida, or another RON-authorized state, California has no legal authority to issue an apostille for that document. The apostille must come from the notary’s commissioning state.
California Has Authorized RON—But It Is Not Yet Implemented
California passed California Senate Bill 696 (SB 696), which authorizes Remote Online Notarization in the state. However, the law has not yet been implemented. Under SB 696, the Secretary of State has until January 1, 2030 to adopt final rules, approve technology providers, and fully roll out California-based online notarization.
Until that happens, California-commissioned notaries cannot legally perform online notarizations. As of today, there is no operational framework that allows a California notary to notarize documents remotely.
Because of this, any online notarization completed for a California signer today must be performed by an out-of-state notary—making a California apostille impossible for those documents.
Why This Matters for International Documents
Many California signers mistakenly believe they must obtain a California apostille simply because they live in California. In reality, foreign authorities care about which state issued the apostille, not where the signer resides.
In most cases, an apostille issued by states such as Florida, Texas, or Montana is fully acceptable abroad. Problems typically arise only when a signer expects California to apostille a document that California law does not permit it to certify.
Key Takeaways for California Signers
- California residents can notarize documents online today.
- The online notary will be commissioned in another state.
- A California apostille cannot be issued for that document
- Any required apostille must come from the notary’s commissioning state.
- SB 696 has passed, but online notarization by California notaries will not be available until implementation—potentially as late as 2030.
If your document requires an apostille, it’s critical to coordinate this before your notarization to ensure the correct state and process are used. Taking this step upfront can prevent costly delays and re-notarizations later.
This article was drafted by the OnlineNotary.us support team on January 6, 2026 for general informational purposes only. Remote Online Notarization laws and apostille procedures are subject to change. Readers should consult current California law or the California Secretary of State for the most up-to-date and authoritative guidance before relying on this information.