Massachusetts Law · Digital Signatures · RON · M.G.L. c. 110G
Notary E-Signature Standards Under Massachusetts Law:
What Counts and What Does Not.
Electronic signatures, digital signatures, wet signatures and Remote Online Notarization. Four different things — often confused with each other and with notarization. Massachusetts has specific rules about which formats are legally enforceable, which satisfy notarization requirements and which will get your filing rejected.
Electronic signatures are everywhere — DocuSign, Adobe Sign, HelloSign. They save time and work well for many purposes. The problem is that they are being used in situations where Massachusetts law requires something they cannot provide: a commissioned notary who verifies identity, witnesses a signature in real time and applies a seal to the document.
When the wrong signature type is used on the wrong document, the consequences are not merely inconvenient. A deed rejected at the Registry of Deeds. A power of attorney refused by a bank. A healthcare proxy that cannot be acted on during a medical emergency. These failures happen regularly — and every one of them was avoidable.
A note on RON authorization. Some sources — including earlier versions of this page — state that Massachusetts has only limited or temporary RON authorization. That is no longer accurate. Massachusetts permanently authorized Remote Online Notarization in Chapter 107 of the Acts of 2023, signed August 9, 2023. RON is active Massachusetts law. This article reflects the current legal framework as of May 2026.
The Four Signature Types — Compared
Understanding what each signature type actually is — and is not — is the starting point for using the right one. These four cards cover each type under Massachusetts law.
E-Signature
Electronic Signature
Valid for routine contracts
Does NOT satisfy notarization
What it isTyped name, click-to-sign, drawn signature on a touchscreen. DocuSign, HelloSign and Adobe Sign produce electronic signatures by default.
Legal basisM.G.L. c. 110G — Massachusetts Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA). Also 15 U.S.C. §7001 (federal E-SIGN Act).
Common usesNDAs, service agreements, employment contracts, sales orders, internal approvals.
Notary involvementNone. The platform produces an audit trail but no notary witnesses or seals the document.
What it isA cryptographically secured signature using public key infrastructure (PKI). The signer holds a private key; the recipient verifies using a public certificate. Higher trust than basic e-signature.
Legal basisTreated as electronic signature under M.G.L. c. 110G with stronger evidentiary weight. Does not carry separate statutory status in Massachusetts.
Common usesGovernment filings, code signing, financial transactions requiring tamper evidence, high-trust business transactions.
Notary involvementNone. Cryptographic verification of identity and integrity — not the same as notarial verification and witnessing.
Rejected forSame as electronic signature — does not satisfy notarization requirements for any Massachusetts document type.
M.G.L. c. 110G (includes digital signatures as a subset of e-signatures)
Traditional
Wet Signature + In-Person Notary
Universally accepted
Satisfies all notarization requirements
What it isA handwritten signature applied in the physical presence of a Massachusetts-commissioned notary public. The notary verifies identity, witnesses the signature and applies a seal and certificate.
Legal basisM.G.L. c. 222 — Massachusetts Notary Public Act as comprehensively revised in 2017.
Common usesReal estate, estate planning, court filings, immigration, international documents, government forms, CORI, apostille-bound documents.
Notary involvementFull. Identity verified, signature witnessed in real time, certificate completed, seal applied, act recorded in notary journal per M.G.L. c. 222 §22.
Accepted everywhereMassachusetts courts, Registry of Deeds, RMV, banks, government agencies, international institutions, apostille processing.
M.G.L. c. 222 (2017 overhaul) · M.G.L. c. 183 (registry recording)
RON
Remote Online Notarization
Permanently authorized — with conditions
Confirm institutional acceptance first
What it isNotarization performed over live two-way audio-visual communication. Identity verified through credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication. Notary applies electronic seal.
Legal basisChapter 107 of the Acts of 2023 — permanently authorized August 9, 2023. Amends M.G.L. c. 222 §§27–33.
Common usesSome refinances, certain corporate filings, estate documents for clients who cannot travel, federal document signings.
Notary involvementFull — performed remotely. All notarial requirements met via approved platform. Identity proofing is more rigorous than in-person in some respects.
Key limitationNot all institutions accept RON. Courts, some registries and many banks still require in-person notarization. Always confirm before using RON.
Chapter 107, Acts of 2023 · M.G.L. c. 222 §§27–33
Quick Reference — Which Signature Type for Which Document
Massachusetts law specifies which signature type satisfies the execution requirements for each major document category. This table covers the most common situations.
Document Type
E-Signature
Digital Signature
Wet + Notary
RON
Service contracts, NDAs, employment agreements
✓ Valid
✓ Valid
✓ Valid
✓ Valid
Real estate deeds and mortgages (Registry recording)
✗ Rejected
✗ Rejected
✓ Required
◐ Confirm with Registry
Durable power of attorney
✗ Banks reject
✗ Banks reject
✓ Required in practice
◐ Confirm with institution
Healthcare proxy
✗ Not valid
✗ Not valid
✓ Witnesses + notary
◐ Hospital must accept
Will — self-proving affidavit
✗ Not valid
✗ Not valid
✓ Required
◐ Probate court acceptance varies
Court affidavits and sworn statements
✗ Not valid
✗ Not valid
✓ Required
◐ Court must accept
CORI authorization forms
✗ Not valid
✗ Not valid
✓ Required — M.G.L. c. 6 §172
◐ Confirm with employer
RMV affidavit (Form 20733)
✗ Rejected
✗ Rejected
✓ Required by RMV
✗ RMV requires in-person
Apostille-bound documents
✗ Not accepted
✗ Not accepted
✓ Required
◐ Destination country rules vary
Minor travel consent forms
◐ Some airlines accept
◐ Some airlines accept
✓ Recommended for borders
◐ Confirm with airline/border
✓ Valid or required · ✗ Rejected or not accepted · ◐ Conditional — confirm with the receiving institution before proceeding
Three Ways the Wrong Signature Type Creates Real Problems
These are not hypothetical. The following scenarios reflect situations that come through our office and the offices of the attorneys and title companies we work with. Each is entirely preventable.
Real Estate
The buyer signs a deed on DocuSign. The Registry of Deeds rejects it. The closing collapses.
A buyer uses DocuSign to sign closing documents, expecting the closing is complete. The lender funds. The deed arrives at the Middlesex Registry of Deeds. The recorder rejects it — no notary signature. The closing unwinds. The buyer scrambles for an in-person notary on an already-funded file. Electronic signatures are valid for many contracts. They are not valid for deeds in Massachusetts. The Registry of Deeds requires a notarized signature on every recorded instrument. This scenario plays out at least twice a month somewhere in the Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley area.
Estate Planning
A durable power of attorney signed on DocuSign is refused by the bank when the account holder becomes incapacitated.
An adult child attempts to manage an aging parent’s bank accounts using a durable power of attorney that was executed through DocuSign. The parent is now incapacitated and cannot be present at the bank. The bank refuses the power of attorney — it was not notarized by a commissioned notary. The adult child must now petition Middlesex Probate Court for a conservatorship, which takes months and costs thousands of dollars. A properly notarized durable POA costs $45 and 20 minutes. The difference is that the family didn’t know the electronic version was insufficient until the moment they needed it.
Corporate Filing
A board resolution executed through DocuSign is rejected by the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Corporations Division.
A Waltham startup attempts to file an amendment to its articles of organization with a board resolution executed through DocuSign. The Corporations Division rejects the filing — the resolution requires notarized officer signatures for certain amendments. The company’s legal counsel assumed that their standard DocuSign workflow was sufficient for all corporate documents. It is not. Certain formation and amendment documents require notarized signatures before they are accepted for filing. The company misses a financing deadline while the filing is corrected.
“The rule is simpler than people think: if the document is going to a court, a registry, a government agency or a bank — and it requires notarization under Massachusetts law — an electronic signature is not a substitute. There is no workaround. The notary must witness the signature in real time.”
Remote Online Notarization — The Current Massachusetts Framework
RON is not a future possibility in Massachusetts. It is active law. Understanding what RON is — and what its current limitations are — is essential for anyone making decisions about document execution in 2026.
Chapter 107, Acts of 2023 — Signed August 9, 2023
Massachusetts permanently authorized Remote Online Notarization. This is current law.
What RON requires
Valid Massachusetts notary commission
Live two-way audio-visual session
Credential analysis (automated ID verification)
Knowledge-based authentication
RON-specific journal entry required
Current limitations
Not all registries accept RON real estate docs
Massachusetts courts vary on RON acceptance
RMV still requires in-person for Form 20733
Real estate closings still require attorney + in-person
Always confirm acceptance before using RON
Chapter 107, Acts of 2023 · Amending M.G.L. c. 222 §§27–33 · Signed August 9, 2023
RON vs. electronic signature — they are not the same thing. A RON notarization produces a notarized document with a notarial seal and certificate — it satisfies notarization requirements where accepted. An electronic signature through DocuSign or Adobe Sign produces no notarization at all. These are fundamentally different legal instruments. RON is a method of performing a notarial act. An electronic signature is not a notarial act.
The Massachusetts UETA Framework — What Electronic Signatures Can and Cannot Do
Massachusetts adopted the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act in M.G.L. c. 110G. This statute makes electronic signatures generally valid and enforceable — but it explicitly carves out situations where electronic signatures are not sufficient.
Key UETA provisions for Massachusetts signers
General ruleElectronic signatures are valid for transactions governed by the UETA
Excluded — willsM.G.L. c. 110G excludes testamentary instruments from UETA coverage
Excluded — real propertyDeeds and instruments requiring Registry recording are outside UETA’s routine coverage
Excluded — notarized docsDocuments requiring notarization retain that requirement — UETA does not override it
Federal overlay15 U.S.C. §7001 (E-SIGN Act) applies to interstate transactions alongside M.G.L. c. 110G
Consent requiredBoth parties must agree to conduct the transaction electronically — UETA is not unilateral
The practical takeaway: UETA validates electronic signatures for the kinds of documents businesses use every day — contracts, service agreements, employment paperwork, purchase orders. It does not change the requirements for documents that the legislature has specifically required to be notarized, witnessed or recorded. Those requirements remain unchanged.
How to Choose the Right Signature Type for Your Document
One question answers most cases. Ask it before sending any document for signature.
The question to ask before choosing a signature method
Does this document require notarization, witnessing or formal execution under a specific Massachusetts law?
If the answer is yes — or you are unsure — use an in-person notary. If you are choosing RON, confirm that the receiving institution accepts RON-notarized documents for this specific document type before proceeding.
If NO — use electronic signature
Routine contracts, service agreements, NDAs, employment documents, purchase orders, internal approvals, most commercial agreements.
If YES — use in-person notary
Real estate, estate planning, court filings, government forms, CORI, apostille-bound documents, healthcare proxies, powers of attorney.
Already used the wrong signature type? If a document was signed electronically and notarization is required, the document must be reprinted with blank signature lines and the signer must sign again in the notary’s presence. A notary cannot retroactively certify a signature that was not witnessed in real time. This is not a technicality — it is a core requirement of Massachusetts notary law under M.G.L. c. 222.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use DocuSign for a document that requires notarization?
No. DocuSign and similar platforms produce electronic signatures without notary involvement. Documents requiring notarization under Massachusetts law need a commissioned notary to verify identity, witness the signature in real time and apply a seal and certificate. Electronic signature platforms do not satisfy this requirement regardless of the audit trail they produce.
Is Remote Online Notarization authorized in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts permanently authorized RON in Chapter 107 of the Acts of 2023, signed August 9, 2023. Massachusetts-commissioned notaries may perform notarial acts for remotely located individuals using two-way audio-visual technology with credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication. RON is not unlimited — confirm that the receiving institution (court, registry, bank) accepts RON for your specific document before proceeding.
Are electronic signatures valid for contracts in Massachusetts?
Yes. M.G.L. c. 110G — Massachusetts UETA — makes electronic signatures generally valid for routine contracts that do not require notarization, witnessing or recording. The key exceptions: documents requiring notarization, two-witness execution, or recording at a registry retain those requirements regardless of UETA.
What is the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature?
An electronic signature is any electronic symbol or process executed with the intent to sign — including typed names, click-to-sign and touchscreen drawings. A digital signature is a specific type using cryptographic public key infrastructure (PKI) to verify the signer’s identity and document integrity. Digital signatures provide stronger evidence but still do not satisfy Massachusetts notarization requirements — they are a subset of electronic signatures under M.G.L. c. 110G.
What Massachusetts documents still require an in-person notary?
Real estate deeds and mortgages recorded at the Registry of Deeds; durable powers of attorney; self-proving affidavits for wills; healthcare proxies; vehicle title transfers (RMV Form 20733); CORI authorization forms; court affidavits; apostille-bound documents; and most documents going to government agencies. Electronic signatures are not accepted for any of these.
If my document was already signed electronically, can a notary add a stamp after the fact?
No. Notarization requires the notary to witness the signature in real time under M.G.L. c. 222. A signature already applied before the notary appointment cannot be retroactively notarized. The document must be reprinted with blank signature lines and the signer must sign again in the notary’s presence. This is the most common reason for rejected estate planning and real estate documents in our experience.
Does Massachusetts allow RON for real estate closings?
RON is permanently authorized in Massachusetts under Chapter 107 of the Acts of 2023. However, Massachusetts is an attorney-closing state — real estate closings must still be supervised by a licensed Massachusetts attorney under M.G.L. c. 222 §17. Additionally, not all Registries of Deeds and title companies currently accept RON-notarized real estate documents. Confirm acceptance with the specific Registry and title company before proceeding with a RON closing.
Is a typed name valid as a signature in Massachusetts?
A typed name in a signature line is a form of electronic signature and is valid under M.G.L. c. 110G for routine contracts that do not require notarization. It is not valid for documents requiring notarization, witnessing or formal execution under Massachusetts law.
HW
About the Author
Hanson Webb
Massachusetts Commissioned Notary Public · Owner, Tewksbury Notary
Hanson Webb has practiced under M.G.L. c. 222 since 2007 — through the 2017 comprehensive overhaul and the 2023 permanent RON authorization. NNA Certified Signing Agent, background screened, bonded and insured. Serves families, attorneys, title companies and businesses across the Merrimack Valley and Greater Boston.
MA Commissioned 2007M.G.L. c. 222 — Pre and Post 2017NNA Certified4.9 ★ from 187 reviews
Related Reading
More guides on Massachusetts notary law and practice.
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