Florida

Florida Notary License

How to Become a Notary

1.Take the notary education course. A first time applicant for a notary commission must submit proof that the applicant has, within one year prior to the application, completed at least three hours of interactive or classroom instruction. The Department of State’s Notary Education Program satisfies this requirement, and can be taken online, free of charge, at http://notaries.dos.state.fl.us. A list of other approved education providers can be found here.

If you are renewing your notary commission, you may proceed directly to the next step.

2.Contact a bonding agency. After successfully completing an education course, you must contact one of the bonding agencies that are approved to operate in Florida. Most of these companies provide “one-stop-shopping.” You make one payment to the company and they provide the application, pay the state fees, write your notary bond, and supply your notary seal. The bonding agencies provide the surety bond that is required for notaries public to obtain a commission. (Note that the bond is designed to protect the public against notarial misconduct or negligence, not the notary.) You can find a list of the approved bonding agencies here.

We recommend that you check with several companies to compare services and prices. The state fees of $39 are fixed by law, but the bond premium and the notary seal are competitively priced. Please note that the State does not give out applications or provide notary seals.

3.Complete the application. Provide all of the information requested on the application form, which will be provided to you by the bonding agency you choose. If there is any information missing, your application will be returned to the bonding agency until all necessary materials have been submitted. If you have been convicted of a felony, had adjudication withheld, or are on probation, you must submit the following documents:
1.A written statement regarding the nature and circumstances of the charges;
2.A copy of the Judgment and Sentencing Order; and,
3.If convicted, a copy of the Certification of Restoration of Civil Rights (or pardon). The name of this document may vary depending on the state where the conviction occurred.

4.Submit the application through your bonding agency. Once your application has been fully completed, you must submit your application to your bonding agency. They will forward your application to the State for review. To check the status of your application, please contact your bonding agency.

To apply for an appointment or reappointment as a notary public, you may obtain an application and information from a bonding company approved to submit applications electronically to the Department of State, Notary Commissions and Certifications Section.

Mailing Address:
Department of State
Division of Corporations
Apostille Certification
P.O. Box 6800
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6800

http://www.flgov.com/notary_how_to