Can My Electronically Notarized Document Be Rejected?

Yes — a document that has been legally and properly notarized electronically can still be rejected by the receiving party. This often surprises clients, but it’s important to understand that notarization confirms the identity of the signer and the authenticity of the signature — not whether the receiving institution will accept the format of the notarization.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) is legally authorized in most U.S. states. When a notary follows all legal requirements, including credential analysis, knowledge-based authentication, digital sealing, and video recording, the notarized document is valid and enforceable under state law. However, individual banks, courts, government agencies, or private companies can still choose to reject a document that was electronically notarized.

Reasons for rejection vary. Some institutions have outdated policies that still require wet-ink signatures. Others may not have updated their internal procedures to accept digital formats. Some forms — particularly in highly regulated areas like immigration, court filings, or certain real estate transactions — may explicitly require in-person notarization or original paper documents. Additionally, some states have exceptions for specific document types that are not permitted to be notarized electronically under their laws.

RON platforms like BlueNotary provide legally valid notarizations. The digital notarial certificate, tamper-evident seal, and secure audit trail meet or exceed legal standards in most states. Yet the final decision to accept a document rests with the receiving party. Even paper notarizations can be rejected if they do not meet an institution’s procedural requirements.

If you are unsure whether a particular organization will accept an electronically notarized document, it is best to contact them first and ask about their policy. In some cases, they may request additional documentation or ask for the session recording or digital certificate as verification.

In summary, a legally notarized electronic document may still be rejected by the recipient — not because it is invalid, but because of their own internal requirements. Always confirm acceptance in advance when the document is for a critical or time-sensitive purpose.