State Information for Florida

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Florida Notary Information and Requirements

Florida Notary Commission Qualifications
Notary applicants must:
• be at least 18 years old.
• be able to read, write, and understand the English language.
• be a legal resident of the state. No specific period of residency is required. A permanent resident alien may be appointed, provided the applicant files a recorded Declaration of Domicile with the application. Both citizens and aliens must maintain residence throughout the term of appointment.
• have your civil rights restored if you have ever been convicted of a felony. You must report any criminal charges, regardless whether you were convicted or not, on your Notary application.
• read the Florida Notary law and sign the Oath of Office.
• complete an approved, three-hour Notary education course if you are applying for your first commission.

How to Become a Florida Notary
See detailed information including applicable fees, on the website of the Florida Department of State: http://notaries.dos.state.fl.us/

Appointing Officer
Office of the Governor - appoints notaries.
Secretary of State - issues commissions, maintains notary records.

Term of Office
A Florida Notary Public's commission term is 4 Years.

Notary Education and/or Exam Requirement
• Education course required; for new Notaries or those applying after a lengthy commission lapse who have not previously taken an approved 3-hour course.
• Education course required, Notaries registering to be Online Notaries.

Florida Notary Seal Requirement
• Ink stamp required, paper notarial acts. The Notary ink stamp may be either round or rectangular. An embossing seal may ONLY be used in conjunction with the official Notary ink stamp. Ink-stamp impression MUST be photographically reproducible.
• For electronic acts, Notary's electronic signature satisfies seal requirement if it includes the same information elements required for the ink-stamp. See statutes and administrative rules for additional standards.

Notary Bond Requirement
• $7,500 Bond Required (4-year term).
• $25,000 bond (also satisfies the requirement for a traditional Notary bond) and minimum $25,000 E&O policy required, Remote Online Notary.

Notary Recordbook (Journal) Requirement
• Not required for paper or electronic notarial acts for physically present principals.
• Electronic journal required for use by an Online Notary Public. Online Notary shall retain an uninterrupted/unedited copy of the recording of the audio-video communication session for each online notarization performed.

Authorized Duties
• Oaths/affirmations;
• acknowledgments and proofs;
• certify/attest photocopies of certain documents;
• perform marriage ceremonies;
• verify vehicle identification numbers;
• certify contents of safe deposit boxes;
• make protests of non-acceptance or non-payment;
• certify that a tangible copy of an electronic record that is not a public or vital record is a true copy.
• Subject to applicable law and any administrative rules, an Online Notary Public may perform any notarial acts authorized in Part I, Chapter 117 of Florida Statutes, except solemnizing marriage vows, for a remotely located individual. An Online Notary Public may also supervise the witnessing of electronic records subject to applicable law and any administrative rules.

Change of Name, Address or Eligibility Status
See detailed information on the website of the Florida Department of State: http://notaries.dos.state.fl.us/


Contact Information for the State of Florida

State Notary Website
http://notaries.dos.state.fl.us/

State of Florida Notary Online Search
http://notaries.dos.state.fl.us/not001.html

Phone Number
Florida Department of State - (850) 245-6975
Office of the Governor - (850) 717-9310, option #2

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

Executive Office of the Governor
Notary Section
2415 N Monroe Street, Suite 810
Tallahassee, FL 32303


Apostille Certification Information

Phone Number
(850) 245-6945

Further Information
https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/other-services/apostille-notarial-certification/



All rights reserved. This information was compiled by the American Society of Notaries. The content of this page may not be reproduced without permission in writing from the American Society of Notaries. Copyright 2022

Information on this page is provided with the understanding that the user is solely responsible for his/her knowledge of notarial law, procedures and practices. The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. All information is subject to change without notice and therefore is provided “as is,” free of warranty of any kind. Last updated July 2022.


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