Your Guide to Becoming a Notary in Florida Today

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Key Takeaways

You must be 18+, a Florida resident, and able to read and write English
No education course or exam is required for a traditional commission (the state offers a free education course anyway)
Florida requires a $7,500 surety bond: no exam needed
Application is submitted through an approved bonding agency, with $39 in fixed state fees
Commission term is 4 years
Maximum notarization fee is $10 per notarial act

Florida is one of the easier states to become a notary public. There’s no exam and no course requirement: just a surety bond and an application submitted through an approved bonding agency. The whole process takes about 2 to 4 weeks. Here’s how to do it.

Requirements

To qualify as a Florida notary public, you must:

Be at least 18 years old
Be a legal resident of Florida
Be able to read, write, and understand English

Felony Convictions

If you have a felony conviction, your civil rights must be restored before you can apply. You’ll need to provide a copy of your Certificate of Restoration of Civil Rights (or equivalent pardon documentation) with your application. If your judgment was withheld or sentence suspended, submit a written statement explaining the situation along with court documents.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Education (Optional, and Free If You Want It)

Current chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes imposes no education requirement for a standard notary commission, despite an older state education page still describing a three-hour first-time course from 1999 law. What does exist is the Department of State’s free online Notary Education Program, which is worth an afternoon for a first commission. A course becomes mandatory only if you later register for remote online notarization (see that section below).

Step 2: Get a $7,500 Surety Bond

Contact one of Florida’s approved bonding agencies to obtain your $7,500 notary surety bond. The bond protects the public from notary misconduct. It doesn’t protect you personally. The bond itself costs about $40–$50 for the 4-year term.

Step 3: Complete the Application

Your bonding agency will give you the notary application form. Fill it out completely: incomplete applications get sent back. Your bonding agency submits everything to the Governor’s office on your behalf. The state fees are $39, fixed by law. Veterans with a 50 percent or higher disability rating are exempt from the $10 commission-fee portion.

Step 4: Receive Your Commission and Buy Supplies

Once approved, your commission certificate is mailed to your bonding agency (not to you), and the agency forwards it along with your seal. Then purchase your record book (journal) if you have not already. Florida requires a state-approved seal that meets the specifications in Florida law. Stamps cost $15–$25 and journals cost $10–$50.

Costs to Get Commissioned

Item	Cost
Education course	Free (state) or $20–$50 (third-party)
Surety bond ($7,500)	$40–$50
Application fee	$39
Notary stamp	$15–$25
Notary journal	$10–$50
Total	$104–$214

Fee Schedule

Florida sets a maximum fee of $10 per notarial act for in-person notarizations and $25 for remote online notarizations. These are maximums. You can charge less or not charge at all, but you cannot exceed these amounts.

E&O Insurance

No. E&O insurance is not required in Florida, but it’s a smart purchase. The surety bond protects the public. E&O insurance protects you, if someone files a claim against you for a notarial mistake, E&O covers your legal fees and damages. Policies typically run $25–$75 per year.

Renewal

Florida notary commissions last 4 years. Renew through the same bonding agency: no education course required for renewals. Florida has no automatic reappointment; the state suggests starting the renewal about six months before expiration. You’ll need a new bond and a new stamp with your updated commission dates.

Becoming a Signing Agent in Florida

Florida is an escrow state (not an attorney state), which makes it one of the better markets for notary signing agents. After you receive your notary commission, take a signing agent training course to learn how to handle loan documents. Many signing agents in Florida earn significant income working with title companies and signing services. See our guide to becoming a signing agent for more details.

Fee Schedule

Florida sets the following maximum fees per notarial act:

Acknowledgments: $10 per signature
Jurats: $10 per signature
Oaths and affirmations: $10 per person
Verifying a vehicle identification number (VIN): $10
Attesting to a trued copy: $10 per page
Solemnizing a marriage: $30 per ceremony (Florida notaries can perform weddings!)

You may also charge a travel fee for mobile notary services if the signer agrees in advance. Florida does not set a cap on travel fees.

Notarial Acts You Can Perform

Florida notaries can perform these acts:

Acknowledgments: verifying the signer appeared before you voluntarily
Jurats: administering an oath and witnessing the signer sign in your presence
Oaths and affirmations: swearing in a signer for verbal statements
Certifying copies: attesting that a photocopy is a true copy of an original document (you must make or supervise the copy)
Solemnizing marriages: Florida is one of few states where notaries can officiate weddings
Verifying VIN numbers: inspecting and certifying vehicle identification numbers

Employer Obligations

Florida law regarding employer-notary relationships:

Your notary commission is yours personally. It does not belong to your employer
An employer may not direct you to violate notary law or skip required procedures
If you leave your job, your commission and stamp go with you; your employer must return all notary supplies
The employer may be held liable if they coerce you into committing an improper notarization
Your employer cannot restrict your notary services to company business only

How Florida Compares to Neighboring States

Requirement	Florida	Georgia	Alabama
Bond	$7,500	None	$50,000
Exam	No	No	No
Training	None (free state course)	Yes (HB1292)	Yes (mandatory)
Term	4 years	4 years	4 years
Max Fee	$10	$2	$10
Journal	Recommended	Required	Required
RON	Yes	Yes	RIN only

Florida is one of the easiest states to become a notary: no exam, no training course, and a modest $7,500 bond. It’s also unique in allowing notaries to perform weddings. Georgia recently added mandatory training (HB1292), while Alabama now requires a $50,000 bond (Act 2023-548).

Remote Online Notarization

Florida authorized remote online notarization in 2019 (HB 409, effective January 1, 2020), and the program is fully live. Registering adds real cost on top of the traditional commission: a completed course (a two-hour course from the Florida Land Title Association, FPBTLS, FLEA, the Department of State, or an approved vendor satisfies it), a sworn registration naming your RON service provider, a $25,000 surety bond separate from your $7,500 traditional bond, and E&O insurance of at least $25,000. There is also a registration fee set under section 113.01; confirm the current amount with the Department of State. Online notarizations are capped at $25 per act.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Florida require a notary exam?

No. Florida does not require a written or proctored exam, and current chapter 117 imposes no course requirement for a traditional commission either. The Department of State offers a free online education course that is useful, and a course becomes mandatory only for remote online notarization registration.

How long does it take to become a Florida notary?

About 2 to 4 weeks from the time your bonding agency submits your application to the Governor’s office. Most of that time is processing.

Can a non-U.S. citizen become a notary in Florida?

The requirement is Florida residency, not U.S. citizenship. A permanent resident alien with a recorded Declaration of Domicile qualifies as a legal resident. If you meet the other requirements, you can apply.

Do I need a notary journal in Florida?

Florida strongly recommends keeping a journal but doesn’t strictly require one by statute. That said, a journal is your best protection if a notarization is ever questioned. Most experienced Florida notaries keep one.

Can I notarize for family members in Florida?

Florida doesn’t explicitly prohibit notarizing for family, but you should not notarize any document in which you have a direct financial or beneficial interest. If in doubt, have someone else notarize it.

Is a notary course required in Florida?

Not for the traditional commission. Current chapter 117 imposes no education requirement; a free official course exists online, and a two-hour course is required only if you register for remote online notarization.

How do I become a remote online notary in Florida?

Hold a current commission, complete the required two-hour RON course, file a sworn registration naming your RON service provider, post a $25,000 surety bond, carry at least $25,000 of E&O insurance, and pay the registration fee. Online notarizations are capped at $25 per act.

How to Become a Notary in Florida (2026 Guide)

Key Takeaways