How to Become a Notary in Florida

Florida Notary Overview

Florida's real estate market, large retiree population, and booming economy create strong, consistent demand for notary services. Florida notaries handle everything from real estate closings and estate planning documents to immigration papers and healthcare directives.

Getting your Florida notary commission takes a few weeks and a modest investment. Here's exactly how.

Florida Notary Requirements

To become a Florida notary public, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a legal resident of Florida
• Have no felony convictions (or have had civil rights restored)
• Be able to read, write, and understand English
• Complete a 3-hour education course (Florida requires training — one of few states that does)

Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Florida Notary Commission

Step 1: Complete the Required Training

Florida requires all new notary applicants to complete a 3-hour notary education course approved by the Florida Department of State. Many online options are available from providers like:

• National Notary Association (NNA)
• Florida Notary Association
• Various approved online education platforms

Cost: $20–$50 for most courses

You'll receive a completion certificate at the end of the course.

Step 2: Purchase a $7,500 Surety Bond

Florida requires a $7,500 surety bond for the 4-year commission term. This protects the public against notary misconduct.

Bond cost: approximately $40–$75 for the 4-year term

Many bonding companies are also approved commission application processors (they submit your application for you as part of their service).

Step 3: Submit Your Application Through the Governor's Office

Florida notary applications are processed by the Florida Department of State (Governor's Office of Notary Appointments).

Application fee: $39 payable to the Florida Department of State

Application options:

• Apply through your bonding company (they handle submission)
• Apply directly via the Florida Department of State online portal

Step 4: Receive Your Commission Certificate

Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks. You'll receive your commission certificate and appointment letter by mail.

Step 5: Order Your Notary Seal and Journal

Florida notary seals must include:

• The words "Notary Public, State of Florida"
• Your name as commissioned
• Your commission number
• Your commission expiration date
• A state seal (Florida uses an embossed or inked seal — must have a serrated or milled edge border)

Florida also requires keeping a notary journal (strongly recommended, though not strictly mandatory under Florida law — it's best practice and often required by E&O insurers).

Seal cost: $25–$60

Florida Commission Details

• Commission term: 4 years
• Maximum fee: $10 per notarial act
• Education requirement: Required for new applicants; recommended for renewals

Florida Remote Online Notarization (RON)

Florida is a leader in RON legislation. Florida's RON law (passed 2019, effective 2020) allows Florida-commissioned notaries to perform remote online notarizations for signers anywhere in the world.

To perform RON in Florida, you need:

1. An active Florida notary commission
2. Registration with a Florida-approved RON platform
3. The RON system must meet Florida's technology standards

Florida's RON law is one of the most detailed in the country, with specific requirements for video recording, tamper-evident seals, and electronic journal entries.

Popular Florida-approved RON platforms:

• Notarize (Proof)
• DocVerify
• SIGNiX
• Pavaso

Florida's Witness Requirement: What Makes It Different

Florida has a distinctive requirement that catches many notaries off guard: most Florida documents that require notarization also require TWO WITNESSES. This includes:

• Wills
• Trusts
• Deeds
• Powers of attorney
• Healthcare surrogate designations

For in-person notarizations, the notary cannot serve as one of the two witnesses — you need two separate disinterested witnesses plus the notary.

For RON in Florida, witnesses can participate remotely. Florida specifically allows remote witnesses for RON transactions — a significant advantage over states where witnesses must be physically present.

How Much Can Florida Notaries Earn?

Standard notary work:

• Maximum per act: $10
• Mobile notary fees: $50–$250 depending on distance and urgency

Notary signing agent (loan documents): Florida's massive real estate market — particularly in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Southwest Florida — creates enormous signing agent demand:

• Standard residential closing: $100–$175
• Refinance: $100–$150
• Reverse mortgage: $150–$250+
• RON closing: $100–$200+

Florida is one of the highest-earning states for notary signing agents, with experienced full-time agents earning $70,000–$130,000+.

Florida Notary Signing Agent Path

1. Get your Florida notary commission
2. Take a signing agent training course
3. Get background-checked
4. Obtain E&O insurance ($25,000–$100,000 minimum recommended)
5. Get certified (NNA Certified Signing Agent)
6. Register with signing services and title companies

Note on Florida's witness requirement for closings: As a signing agent, you'll need to ensure proper witnesses are present for Florida real estate documents. Understanding this requirement is essential for working in Florida's closing market.

Florida Notary Resources

• Florida Department of State Notary Division: notaries.dos.myflorida.com
• Florida's Notary Public Reference Manual: Free PDF from the FDOS
• Florida Notary Association: floridanotary.org
• National Notary Association: notary.org

Start Your Florida Notary Career

Whether you want to supplement your income with mobile notary work, build a full-time signing agent practice, or perform RON across the country (and world) from Florida, the opportunities are significant.

Learn About Becoming a Notary in Florida →