Requirements to become a Florida Notary - The applicant must be 18 years old, able to read and write English, a permanent resident of Florida, and complete a mandatory 3-hour notary education course. Anyone convicted of a felony must have his/her civil rights restored.

How to Apply-
To apply for a notary commission, you must take a "state approved" 3-hour notary education course, either online or in a live classroom environment. Upon completion of the course you will receive a course completion certificate. You must then obtain and complete an application to become a notary from a bonding agency. Submit the application and a signed copy of your course completion certificate to the bonding agency with the appropriate fees. 

Term of Office - 4 years

Appointment Fees - $39.00 filing fee

Notary Exam/Education Requirement - Education Course Required
NOTE- Education Course is a 3-hour state approved course and may be taken either online or in a live classroom environment.

Notary Bond Requirement- $7,500 Bond Required

Recordbook/Journal Requirement - Not Required

Seal Requirement - Ink Stamp Required
NOTE- Ink stamp may be either round or rectangular. The embossing seal may ONLY be used in conjunction with official ink stamp. Seal impression must be photographically reproducible.

Fees to Charge -$10.00 per notarial act performed and $30.00 for performing a marriage ceremony.

Authorized Duties -
1. Administer Oaths/Affirmations;
2. Take Acknowledgments;
3. Make Attested Photocopies of certain documents (attest and certify are different procedures);
4. Perform Marriage Ceremonies;
5. Verify Vehicle Identification Numbers;
6. Certify Contents of Safe Deposit Boxes; and
7. Make protests of non-acceptance or non-payment.

Acceptable Forms of Identification-
1. Personal Knowledge
2. Satisfactory Evidence - ID document that is current or issued within the past 5 years.
(a.) A Florida driver’s license or a non0driver's ID card.
(b.) A U.S. passport.
(c.) A foreign passport, if the is stamped by the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.
(d.) A driver’s license or a non-driver's ID card issued by a territory of the U.S., another state, Canada, or Mexico.
(e.) An ID card issued by any branch of the armed forces of the United States for active duty or retired personnel or their dependents.
(f.) An inmate ID card issued on or after January 1, 1991, by the FL Dept. of Corrections for an inmate who is in the custody of the department.
(g.) An inmate ID card issued by the U.S. Dept. of Justice, Bureau of Prisons, for an inmate who is in the custody of the department.
(h.) A sworn, written statement from a sworn law enforcement officer that the forms of ID for an inmate in an institution of confinement were confiscated upon confinement and that the person named in the document is the person whose signature is to be notarized.
(i.) An ID card issued by the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, i.e., Resident Alien "green" card.
3. Credible Witness - A credible witness is a person you believe to be competent and impartial, and should be identified by the notary by one of the above forms.
(a.) One credible witness who is personally known by the notary and who personally knows the person whose signature is to be notarized; or
(b.) Two credible witnesses who are unknown to the notary, but who provide satisfactory ID to the notary, and who personally know the person whose signature is to be notarized.

Change of Name - If you have a name change you must submit a change of name form along with applicable fees and your current commission certificate to your bonding agency within 60 days of the change. Your bonding agency will provide a rider to your notary public bond and forward all forms to the Department of State.

Change of Address - If you have an address change you must notify, in writing, the Department of State within 60 days of the change. Failure to do so could result in a suspension of your commission.

Renewal of Commission - If you are renewing your commission and:
-Have not allowed your commission to lapse, you are NOT required to take the 3-hour notary education course; simply apply for your renewal through a bonding agent.
-If you have allowed your commission to lapse and HAVE taken the 3-hour notary education course previously, then send the course completion certificate you earned, along with your renewal application to a bonding agent.
-If you have allowed your commission to lapse and you have NEVER taken the 3-hour notary education course, you must take the course in order to reapply for a commission.

Online State Handbook Web Site- http://www.flgov.com/notary_ref_manual

Notary Commission Look-Up Web Site- http://notaries.dos.state.fl.us/not001.html

Mailing Address-
Department of State
Division of Corporations
P.O. Box 6327
Tallahassee, FL  32314

Phone- (850) 245-6975

Mailing Address-
Department of State
Division of Corporations
Apostille Certification
P.O. Box 6800
Tallahassee, FL  32314-6800

Fee- $10.00 each