Your Guide to Becoming a Notary in Florida Today

Q: Can I notarize for family members in Florida?

Florida doesn't explicitly prohibit it, but you should not notarize any document in which you have a direct financial or beneficial interest.

Published March 2, 2023 · Updated May 26, 2026

Key Takeaways

You must be 18+, a Florida resident, and able to read and write English
First-time applicants must complete a 3-hour education course (free through the state)
Florida requires a $7,500 surety bond: no exam needed
Application goes through the Governor’s office with a $39 fee
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: just an education course, a surety bond, and an application submitted through a 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: Complete the Education Course (New Applicants Only)

First-time Florida notary applicants must complete at least 3 hours of interactive or classroom instruction within one year of applying. The Florida Department of State provides this course free online. There are also approved third-party providers. Renewing notaries can skip this step.

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 application fee is $39.

Step 4: Receive Your Commission and Buy Supplies

Once approved, you’ll receive your commission certificate. Then purchase your notary seal (stamp) and a record book (journal). 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. Apply before your current commission expires to avoid a gap. 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	3 hours (first-time)	Yes (HB1292)	Yes (mandatory)
Term	4 years	4 years	4 years
Max Fee	$10	$5	$10
Journal	Recommended	Required	Required
RON	Yes	Yes	Yes

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).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Florida require a notary exam?

No. Florida does not require a written or proctored exam. First-time applicants need to complete the 3-hour education course, but there’s no test to pass.

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. If you’re a legal Florida resident and 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.

How to Become a Notary in Florida (2026 Guide)

Key Takeaways