Notary Public
Florida
Notary Public Commission Requirements
Governing Authority
Florida Executive Office of the Governor / Department of State, Division of Corporations
Official website →4 years
Commission Term
before renewal
3 hours
Education Required
online allowed
No
Exam Required
no exam needed
$7,500
Bond Required
surety bond
Application Process
VerifiedComplete a 3-hour notary education course from a state-approved provider (within 1 year of applying)
Obtain a $7,500 surety bond from a Florida-authorized bonding company
Complete the notary public application form
Obtain a signed affidavit of good character from a non-relative who has known you for at least one year
Sign the oath of office
Submit the application package through your bonding agency with the $39 filing fee
Wait for the Executive Office of the Governor to review and approve your application
Upon approval, purchase an inked rubber stamp seal
Begin performing notarial acts
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Must be a legal resident of Florida
Citizenship
U.S. citizenship not required; permanent resident aliens may apply with a recorded Affidavit of Domicile
Background Check
Not required
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Required3 hours
All first-time applicants must complete a 3-hour notary education course from a state-approved provider registered with the Executive Office of the Governor. Course must cover duties of a notary and how to complete electronic notarizations. Must be completed within one year before applying.
Online courses: Allowed
Exam
Not RequiredNo exam is required to become a Florida notary public.
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Required$7,500
Must obtain a $7,500 surety bond from a Florida-authorized bonding company for the entire 4-year commission term.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredE&O insurance is not required for traditional notary commissions. However, for Remote Online Notarization (RON), a minimum $25,000 E&O insurance policy IS required.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredInked rubber stamp seal (must be reproducible by photocopy). Must display: notary's name, 'Notary Public - State of Florida,' commission number, and commission expiration date.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $39 |
Bond Premium Premium cost for 4-year $7,500 surety bond. Purchased from private surety/bonding companies. | $30 (typical) |
Stamp / Seal Purchased from private vendors; prices vary. | $30 |
Education Course Varies by provider; some offer free courses. | $0-$65 |
Total Estimated Cost Includes surety bond ($30), training course ($0-$65), application filing ($39), notary seal ($30). One of the most affordable states to become a notary. | $99-$164 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
4 years
Renewal Process
Submit renewal application through a bonding agency before commission expires. Must obtain new surety bond. Education course is required for first-time applicants but not typically required for renewals.
Renewal Fee
$39
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Florida allows Remote Online Notarization (RON). Must hold an active FL traditional notary public commission. Must contract with a third-party RON service provider whose technology meets FL standards. Must complete online RON education training and submit an application to the Department of State with a $10 fee.
Additional Requirements
Must obtain a $25,000 surety bond specifically for RON (in addition to the standard $7,500 bond). Must obtain a minimum $25,000 Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance policy. Must use approved RON platform with audio-video communication and identity verification.
Important Notes
What Makes Florida Unique
Florida notary applications are submitted through bonding agencies rather than directly to the state. The Governor's office reviews and approves applications. Florida does not require an exam, making it one of the easier states to become a notary. For RON, Florida requires a separate $25,000 bond AND $25,000 E&O insurance in addition to the standard notary bond.
Florida is one of the most notary-friendly states with a relatively simple and affordable application process.
No exam is required - one of the few populous states without an exam requirement.
Applications are submitted through bonding agencies, not directly to the state.
Cannot notarize documents for spouse, children, or parents.
Maximum fee per notarial act is $10.
Must be able to read, write, and understand the English language.
⚠ Data Conflicts Found
The following fields have conflicting information across sources.
application_fee
One source mentions a $20 application fee while NNA and other sources report $39. The $39 figure appears more current and is corroborated by multiple sources.
Used $39 as the application fee based on majority of current sources.
Sources
Find Notary Education Courses in Florida
Florida requires 3 hours of notary education. Complete your training through an approved provider.
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