The Best Notary Public Near You

How to Become a Notary Public in Florida

Florida residents who are interested in becoming a Notary Public must complete the following steps:

1. Meet the requirements.

2. Get a $7,500 surety bond.

3. Take an approved education course.

4. Complete the application and pay the $39 fee.

5. Sign the surety bond form.

6. Submit your application documents and fee.

7. Order your Notary seal.

If you are seeking to become a Notary Loan Signing Agent in Florida it is strongly advised that you take additional training beyond the National Notary Association.

The National Notary Association helps to prepare Notaries on a very basic level. However, companies like Notary2Pro, NotaryStars, and NotaryAcademy are all very well poised to help Notary Loan Signing Agents learn the meaning of Loan Documents, How to Present Loan Documents, What You as a Notary Can Say About Loan Documents, and How to Execute Loan Documents. Ideally, the highest paid Loan Signing Agents will have taken all three of these courses and more.

Companies like Notary Stars can also help point you in the direction of additional reputable trainers within the industry who can also show you how to perform additional services like Permit Running, Apostille, Document Translations, Estate Planning, and more! These are additional sources of revenue that the National Notary Association does not cover.

About the Florida Notary Process

Florida Notaries have a four-year commission term. To continue notarizing documents, renewing Notaries are required to follow the steps with the exception of the training course.

Cost of Becoming an FL Notary

The cost to become a Florida Notary ranges between $99 - $164. This is dependent on where you complete your Notary training course and purchase your seal.

Commission Processing Time

It can take two to four weeks to become commissioned as a Notary Public depending on your availability and the time the Department of State needs to process your application.

To ensure there’s no delay with the review of your application, use our free application wizard to avoid errors.

Florida Notary Public Requirements

Wondering if you qualify to become a Notary in the Sunshine State? Check out the requirements below.

Eligibility

You may become a Notary in Florida if you meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old

• Be a legal resident of Florida

• Not be a convicted felon unless you have had your civil rights restored

Notary Training

All first-time applicants for a Florida Notary Public commission must complete a three-hour course offered by the state or by an education provider approved by the Executive Office of the Governor.

At the end of the course, you will receive a completion certificate that must be submitted with your application form.

Please note: You must complete the Notary class within one year prior to applying for a Notary commission.

Application

Complete and submit the application along with your training completion certificate and fee.

Below are a few tips when filling out the application:

• Affidavit of Character: A person who has known you for more than a year must complete this section.

• Oath of Office: Make sure you are able and willing to swear or affirm the oath of office.

Submit your application error-free with the NNA’s application wizard.

Notary Supplies

Florida Notaries are required to use an inked rubber stamp seal as the official Notary seal for all notarial acts. The seal must include the following information:

• Your name as it appears on your commission

• The words "Notary Public - State of Florida"

• Your commission number

• Your commission expiration date

Surety Bond

Florida law requires you to get a $7,500 bond from a surety company authorized to do business in Florida.

Once your application is approved by the Department of State, you will receive your commission certificate from your bonding agency.

Which state government office handles Notaries?

The Department of State, located in Tallahassee, FL, receives Notary applications from bonding agencies, issues commissions and keeps records on Notaries.

However, Notaries are appointed by the Governor. The Executive Office of the Governor also provides instructional information and has the authority to suspend a Notary for misconduct.

If I live in another state but work in Florida, may I become a Florida Notary?

No, you must be a legal resident of Florida to become a Florida Notary.

May I become a Florida Notary if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes, you may become a Notary if you submit a recorded Affidavit of Domicile from the county clerk of the county in which you reside.

Do I need to take a Notary exam in Florida?

No, you are not required to pass an exam to qualify for a Florida Notary commission.

Does Florida require Notaries to use a journal?

Although not required by law, the Florida Governor's Office strongly recommends using a journal of notarial acts to record every paper notarization you perform.

Where will I be able to notarize?

Florida Notaries may perform notarizations anywhere within the state.

Who can I notarize for?

You may notarize for any member of the public who makes a reasonable request and meets all requirements for notarization, such as personally appearing before you and providing satisfactory proof of identity.

You're prohibited from notarizing your own signature or that of your spouse, son, daughter, mother or father.

With that said, it is acceptable to solemnize a marriage for your mother, father, son or daughter since you're not notarizing their signature.

How much can FL Notaries charge per notarial act?

In Florida, Notaries may not charge more than $10 per notarization except as provided in F.S. 117.045 (marriages) or 117.275 (online notarizations).

What should I do if I get married or legally change my name?

Within 60 days, you must contact the bonding agency that handled your application to get a rider for your bond and to request an amended commission from the Department of State.

A $25 fee payable by check or money order to the Department of State is also required. You may continue to notarize documents using your old name for 60 days or until you receive your amended commission.

What should I do if I move or take a new job or my personal information changes?

You must notify the Department of State in writing of any change in your business address, home telephone number, home address, business telephone number or criminal record within 60 days of the change.

What are common reasons the state of Florida rejects or delays Notary applications?

• Signature and printed name do not match

• The "race" field is not completed

• Driver's license information must contain 12 digits

• If a business address is referenced, it must include the company name

• The bond form or the signature on the form is missing

• Date of birth does not match state records

• Previous commission number does not match (renewing Notaries only)

  
  

How can I protect myself as a Notary?

To protect you as a Notary, you may want to get an errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy. This policy is optional for traditional Notaries and can limit your financial exposure if you make a mistake on a notarized document resulting in financial damage to the signer.

How do I renew my Florida Notary commission?

You must meet the requirements to become a Florida Notary and reapply. The only difference is that you aren't required to take an educational course if you are renewing your commission.

What do I need to know about remote online notarization in Florida?

You may apply to become a remote online Notary in Florida once you have your traditional Notary Public commission. Follow the steps in this guide to become an FL remote Notary.

Traditional Notaries are authorized to administer an oath remotely using any audio-video communication technology. This only applies to signers testifying at a court proceeding, deposition, arbitration or public hearing or swearing an oath of admission to the Florida Bar.