Florida Notary Requirements 2026: No Exam, 3-Hr Course

Florida Notary Public Requirements Overview

Here is the most important fact about becoming a notary in Florida: Florida does NOT require a notary exam. Unlike California, New York, and several other states, Florida has no written test. However, first-time applicants must complete a mandatory 3-hour education course that includes electronic notarization training, and the Florida Department of State offers this course free online.

Florida currently has approximately 492,000 active commissioned notaries (as of April 2026, per the Department of State, Division of Corporations), one of the highest totals in the nation. Your notary commission is appointed by the Governor for a 4-year term, and each application is reviewed and approved by the Executive Office of the Governor.

This guide covers every verified requirement as of 2026, including the $39 application fee, the $7,500 surety bond, the free 3-hour education course, Remote Online Notarization (RON), apostilles, prohibited acts, and renewal.

Florida Notary Requirements at a Glance

Eligibility Requirements

To become a notary public in Florida, you must meet all of the following requirements under Fla. Stat. §117.01:

1. Age: Must be at least 18 years old.
2. Residency: Must be a legal resident of the State of Florida, and residency must be maintained throughout the entire 4-year commission term.
3. Citizenship: No US citizenship requirement. Permanent resident aliens (green card holders) who are Florida residents may apply, typically with a recorded Declaration of Domicile. Florida is one of the few states that extends eligibility to non-citizens with permanent resident status.
4. Criminal History: Must have no disqualifying felony convictions. If you have a felony conviction, your civil rights must have been restored before you may apply. The application requires full disclosure of any criminal history.
5. Language: Must be able to read, write, and understand English.
6. Education: First-time applicants must complete a 3-hour notary education course (detailed below).

The 3-Hour Education Course (First-Time Applicants Only)

Florida requires first-time notary applicants to complete at least 3 hours of interactive or classroom instruction, including electronic notarization, within 1 year prior to applying. This requirement does NOT apply to renewing notaries, who must complete the full application process but are not required to retake the course.

Free State-Provided Course

The Florida Department of State and the Governor's Office offer the 3-hour education course free online. This is the most cost-effective option and covers everything you need to satisfy the statutory requirement. Private providers (such as the National Notary Association and approved bonding agencies) also offer the course, typically for $30 to $100.

The course covers:

• Florida notary law and statutes (Chapter 117)
• Types of notarial acts (acknowledgments, oaths, jurats)
• Proper identification of signers
• Electronic notarization fundamentals
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them
• Liability and penalties for misconduct

Upon completion, you receive a certificate that must be submitted with your application.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Complete the 3-Hour Education Course

If you are a first-time applicant, enroll in and complete the approved 3-hour notary education course within 1 year before applying. The free state course is available through the Florida Department of State website. Renewing notaries skip this step.

Step 2: Obtain a $7,500 Surety Bond

Secure a $7,500 surety bond from a licensed surety company authorized to do business in Florida. The bond protects the public (not the notary) from financial losses caused by notary errors or misconduct, and it must be maintained throughout the entire 4-year term (Fla. Stat. §117.01(7)(a)).

Bond cost: Typically $30 to $50 for the 4-year term, depending on your credit history.

Step 3: Work With an Approved Bonding Agency

Florida notary applications must be submitted through an approved bonding agency, which electronically submits your application to the Division of Elections. You cannot submit directly to the state as an individual. The bonding agency provides the official application forms (DS-DE 77 and DS-DE 76), helps coordinate your bond, and forwards your completed packet to the Department of State.

The application requires:

• Full legal name and any former names
• Florida residential address, phone, and email
• Date of birth, race, sex, and Social Security number
• Citizenship status and driver's license number
• Education course completion information (first-time applicants)
• Bonding company information and original surety bond
• Affidavit of good character
• List of professional licenses and commissions held in the past 10 years
• Felony conviction disclosure (with proof of restoration of civil rights if applicable)

Step 4: Pay the $39 Application Fee

The total application fee is $39, payable by check or money order to the Florida Department of State. The fee is broken down as follows:

• $25 application fee
• $10 commission fee (required by Fla. Stat. §113.01)
• $4 surcharge (appropriated to the Executive Office of the Governor for notary education and assistance)

Veterans exception: Veterans with a 50% or higher wartime disability rating are exempt from the $10 commission fee.

Step 5: Gubernatorial Approval

Unlike most states where the Secretary of State issues the commission, Florida notary commissions must be appointed and commissioned by the Governor (Fla. Stat. §117.01). The Executive Office of the Governor reviews and approves each application. After approval, the commission is issued and returned to the bonding agency, which forwards it to you. The full process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from the time your bonding agency submits the completed application.

Step 6: Take Your Oath of Office

The oath of office is part of the application itself (Form DS-DE 77). As part of the oath, you swear that you have read Chapter 117 and know the duties, responsibilities, limitations, and powers of a notary public, and that you will faithfully perform the duties of Notary Public, State of Florida (Fla. Stat. §117.01(3)).

Important: Florida notaries are NOT required to record their commission with the clerk of the circuit court (Fla. Stat. §117.103). If certification of your commission is required, it must be obtained from the Secretary of State, not the county clerk. This is a common point of confusion with states like California and Texas that do require county filing.

Step 7: Obtain Your Notary Seal and Supplies

Before performing any notarial acts, purchase a notary seal/stamp that meets Florida's strict specifications (detailed below). A journal is recommended for traditional notarizations but not required by statute; for Remote Online Notarization, an electronic journal is mandatory.

Florida Notary Seal Requirements

Florida law (Fla. Stat. §117.05(3)(a)) specifies the exact elements that must appear on your official notary seal:

An impression-type (embosser) seal may be used in addition to the rubber stamp, but it may not be substituted for it. The official seal and the certificate of notary public commission are the exclusive property of the notary public and must not be surrendered to an employer upon termination of employment (Fla. Stat. §117.05(3)(b)).

Florida Notary Fee Schedule

Florida sets statutory maximum fees that notaries may charge (Fla. Stat. §117.05(2)(a), §117.045, §117.275). Charging more than the maximum is a violation of law:

Notary signing agents who handle mortgage closings typically earn $75 to $200 per signing appointment, which is separate from the per-act statutory fee cap.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Florida

Florida was one of the first states to authorize Remote Online Notarization. The enabling legislation, Chapter 2019-71 (HB 409), was approved by the Governor on June 7, 2019, and took effect January 1, 2020. The RON framework is codified in Part II of Chapter 117, Florida Statutes (§§117.201 through 117.305).

Additional Requirements to Become a RON Notary

To register as an online notary public, you must already hold a current Florida notary commission and complete these additional steps (Fla. Stat. §117.225):

1. Complete a RON education course covering the duties, obligations, and technology requirements for online notarization.
2. Pay a $10 RON registration fee (check to the Florida Department of State).
3. Obtain a $25,000 surety bond (this satisfies the §117.01(7) traditional bond requirement; the RON bond is higher and covers both).
4. Obtain errors and omissions (E&O) insurance in the minimum amount of $25,000 from an insurer authorized to do business in Florida.
5. Identify a RON service provider whose audio-video communication technology, credential analysis, and identity-proofing processes you intend to use.
6. Submit a signed and sworn registration to the Department of State along with your certificate of completion.

Your online notary registration runs concurrently with your existing notary commission and expires on the same day.

RON Identity Verification and Journal

RON notaries must verify signer identity through a combination of remote presentation of a government-issued ID, credential analysis, and knowledge-based authentication (KBA). Under Fla. Stat. §117.295, KBA must involve at least 5 questions with an 80% pass rate and a 2-minute time limit.

Mandatory electronic journal: Unlike traditional notarizations, online notaries must maintain a secure electronic journal of each online notarization and retain the journal plus the audio-video recording for at least 10 years after the notarial act (Fla. Stat. §117.245). Each journal entry must include the date and time, type of act, description of the record, name and address of each principal, evidence of identity, and fee charged.

The notary must be physically located in Florida when performing a RON, but the signer can be anywhere.

Journal Requirements

Florida does not legally require traditional (in-person) notaries to maintain a journal of notarial acts. There is no provision in Part I of Chapter 117 mandating one. However, keeping a detailed journal is strongly recommended by the Governor's office and legal professionals as your best defense in any dispute or legal proceeding.

For online notaries (RON), an electronic journal is mandatory under Fla. Stat. §117.245, with a 10-year retention requirement.

Apostilles and Document Authentication

Apostilles and notarial certifications in Florida are issued by the Secretary of State, Division of Corporations (the only competent authority under the 1961 Hague Convention). This is a separate function from the notary commission itself: a Florida notary notarizes a document, and then the Secretary of State authenticates the notary's commission for international use.

Apostille Fees and Process

• Submit by mail to: Department of State, Division of Corporations, Apostille Certification, P.O. Box 6800, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6800. Payment by check or money order only (payable to "Florida Department of State"); no cash or credit cards.
• Walk-in service is available at 2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810, Tallahassee, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Most walk-in requests are completed while you wait.
• Mail processing typically takes at least 5 business days; no expedited mail service is offered.
• A cover letter stating the destination country and a self-addressed stamped envelope must be included.
• Federal documents must go to the US Department of State, and out-of-state documents must go to that state's competent authority.

Prohibited Acts

Florida law (Fla. Stat. §117.107 and §117.05) enumerates specific acts a notary public may NOT perform. Violating these can result in commission suspension or revocation by the Governor, plus criminal penalties:

• Notarizing your own signature — third-degree felony (§117.05(1)).
• Notarizing for a spouse, son, daughter, mother, or father (§117.107(11)). Note: this prohibition does not extend to solemnizing marriages for relatives (AG Opinion 91-70).
• Notarizing when you have a financial interest in or are a party to the underlying transaction (§117.107(12)). An employer-employee exception applies: an employee may notarize for an employer if the notary receives only salary and the statutory fee.
• Notarizing when the signer is not present before you, unless performing an authorized Remote Online Notarization (§117.107(9)).
• Notarizing incomplete or blank documents (§117.107(10)).
• Notarizing for a person who is mentally incapable of understanding the document (§117.107(5)).
• Using the title "notario publico" or "notario" or otherwise implying you are an attorney (§117.05(11)). A non-attorney notary who advertises in another language must include a notice stating "I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA."
• Acting as a notary after your commission has expired — second-degree misdemeanor (§117.05(8)).
• Refusing to notarize based on race, gender, nationality, or religion.

Renewal Process

Your Florida notary commission expires after 4 years. There is no automatic reappointment; you must complete the full application process for every renewal (Fla. Stat. §117.01(6)).

To renew:

1. Obtain a new $7,500 surety bond (or a $25,000 bond if you are also a RON notary).
2. Submit a new application through an approved bonding agency (forms DS-DE 77 and DS-DE 76).
3. Pay the $39 application fee.
4. Sign and swear a new oath of office as part of the application.
5. Receive Governor approval for your new 4-year commission.

Important: The 3-hour education course is NOT required for renewals — it is required only for first-time applicants. However, if you are registering (or re-registering) as a RON online notary, the RON course is required for that registration.

Start the renewal process at least 60 days before your commission expires. A gap in your commission means you cannot perform notarial acts, and a lapsed commission requires you to start over as a first-time applicant for certain purposes.

Penalties for Notary Misconduct

Florida law imposes serious consequences for notary misconduct:

The Governor has the authority to suspend or revoke any notary commission for malfeasance, misfeasance, or neglect of duty (Fla. Stat. §117.01(4)).

Cost Breakdown: Becoming a Florida Notary

Using the free state education course, you can become a Florida notary for under $100 in required costs (bond + fee + seal). Florida is one of the more affordable states to become a notary, especially given the size of the market.

Notary Signing Agent Opportunities

Florida's massive real estate and mortgage market makes it one of the top states for notary signing agents. Signing agents handle loan closings and earn significantly more than standard per-act notary fees. Typical signing agent earnings in Florida markets (Tampa, Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville) range from $75 to $200 per signing appointment, with mobile notary travel fees adding $25 to $75+ per trip.

To maximize your earning potential:

• Complete a loan signing agent certification course.
• Get listed with signing services and title companies.
• Build a professional reputation for accuracy and reliability.
• Consider errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, which many signing services require.
• If you want to serve remote clients, register as a RON online notary to expand beyond your local market.

Tips for New Florida Notaries

1. Use the Free State Education Course

The Florida Department of State offers the 3-hour education course free online. There is no need to pay $30 to $100 to a private provider unless you prefer their format or bundled supplies.

2. Keep a Journal Even Though It Is Not Required

For traditional notarizations, a journal is not legally required, but it is your best protection in any legal dispute. Record the date, time, document type, signer name, identification used, and fee charged for every act.

3. Learn the Difference Between Notarial Acts

Understanding the differences between acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, and copy certifications is critical. Performing the wrong type of act can invalidate an entire transaction.

4. Know the Prohibited Acts Cold

The most common cause of commission revocation is notarizing for a family member (spouse, son, daughter, mother, or father) or notarizing a document in which you have a financial interest. Review Fla. Stat. §117.107 before you begin.

5. Understand the Apostille Process

Many Florida notaries are asked to notarize documents for international use (adoptions, foreign business, overseas study). You notarize the document, then the customer sends it to the Secretary of State for the apostille. You are not responsible for obtaining the apostille, but knowing the process makes you more useful to clients.

6. Consider the RON Path Early

Remote Online Notarization lets you serve clients anywhere in the world from your Florida location. The additional investment ($25,000 bond, $25,000 E&O, RON course, and $10 registration) is modest relative to the expanded market reach.

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