A notary in Florida is a public representative who the government appoints to act as an unbiased witness to the signing of a legal document. Documents such as real estate deeds, affidavits, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, bills of sale, and other official transactional documents typically require the services of a notary public to be signed. Let’s go over what a Notary is, their duties, how to become one in Florida, the cost and what course you can take.
Duties of a Notary
Most notaries are solicitors who have taken a further qualification to become notaries public. Their duties include:
- Verifying the authenticity of legal documents and creating a trustworthy environment for parties to an agreement
- Attesting to the trueness of photocopies of certain documents
- Handling loan documents, contracts, marriage certificates, and other legal documents
- Attesting or authenticating powers of attorney for use abroad
- They impartially confirm the true identity of a person signing an important document, their willingness to sign without duress or intimidation, and their awareness of the document’s contents.
How to Become a Notary in Florida
To become a notary in Florida, follow these steps:
- Ensure eligibility requirements are met
- Be a legal resident of Florida.
- Be able to read, write, and understand the English language.
- If you have a felony conviction, get your civil rights restored before applying.
- Complete a three-hour notary course.
- Register for and complete a notary course registered with the Governor’s Executive Office.
- The course must cover the duties of a notary and how to complete electronic notarizations.
- You can take a free online course from the Florida Department of State and the Governor’s Office.
- Read Chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes
- Get a deeper understanding of a Florida notary public’s duties, responsibilities, limitations, and powers.
- Submit your notary application
- Submit your notary application through a bonding agency.
- The application requires your personal information, identification information, business information, professional licenses and commissions, and a statement about your criminal history.
- Provide supporting documents related to your personal information when required.
- Include an affidavit of good character from a nonrelative who has known you for at least one year.
- Submit a signed oath of office that affirms the facts stated in your application and oath are true.
- Secure a surety bond of $7,500
- Purchase a surety bond from an approved bonding agency.
- Wait for approval and receive your notary public commission certificate
- You will receive a notary public commission certificate if the governor approves your application.
- The bonding agency will provide your official notary public seal, and most agencies also provide a surety bond.
For remote online notarizations, you must certify that you have completed an online course covering the duties, obligations, and technical requirements for serving as an online notary public. Submit a signed registration form as an online notary public to the Department of State, identify the RON service provider, and obtain a $25,000 bond approved and filed with the Florida Department of State.
Become a Notary in Florida Online
To become a Remote Online Notary Public (RON) in Florida, follow these steps:
#1. Ensure You Meet the Requirements
You must be an existing notary public, a civil-law notary appointed under Chapter 118, or a commissioner of deeds appointed under Part IV of Chapter 721. Therefore, check your status on the Florida Notary website.
#2. Complete the Online Education Training Course
You must complete an approved online education training course and receive a certificate to be submitted with your registration. Some approved providers include:
- Florida Land Title Association – FL RON Certification Course
- National Notary Association – FL RON Certification Course
- Notaries.com/Huckleberry Notary Bonding – Remote Online Notary Course
- Florida Notary Service – FL RON Certification Course
- Cynanotary Notary Services – Bonding – E&O – FL RON (Remote Online Notary Certification Course)
- American Society of Notaries – FL Remote Online Notary Certification Course With Fundamentals Refresher
- Notary Public Underwriters – FL RON Certification Course
- Aaron Notary Appointment Services Inc. – Florida RON Certification Course
#3. Contract with a Third-party Vendor
You must have a contract with a company that provides the technical support needed for online notarization. This company must provide the technical support necessary for attaching and associating an electronic notarial certificate, signature, and seal to an electronic document. They should also be capable of conducting identity proofing, credential analysis, and storing and maintaining a recording of the video and audio conference of the online notarization session.
#4. Submit the Application
Complete the Application Registration for Online Notary Public on the Florida Department of State website. Mail the application to the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations. Also include the initial fee of $10, payable by check to the Florida Department of State.
#5. Provide a Surety Bond and an E&O Insurance Policy
Obtain a surety bond which is about $25,000, and an E&O insurance policy with at least $25,000 in coverage
#6. Complete the Online Notary Public Information Form
You must complete the “Online Notary Public Information Form” and submit it to the Florida Department of State along with your application for registration
After completing these steps, your application will be processed, and if approved, you will be authorized to perform online remote notarizations in Florida.
Cost to Become a Notary in Florida
The cost of becoming a notary in Florida includes various fees and expenses. The cost can include the following:
- Notary Application Fee: Florida applicants must pay a $39 application fee when submitting their application.
- Notary Bond Fee: A notary bond fee of $50 is required for a $7,500, 4-year notary bond. This bond protects the public from errors made by the notary and is required by Florida law.
- Notary Stamp: A notary stamp is required to perform notarial duties. The cost of a notary stamp can vary depending on where you purchase it.
- Notary Journal: A notary journal is used to authenticate and record notarized documents. The cost of a notary journal in Florida can vary depending on the design and features you choose.
- Notary Education Course: Florida requires notary applicants to complete a notary educational course at least three hours long, covering electronic notarization and the duties of a notary public. This course may be completed for free through the Florida Department of State and the Governor’s Office.
The total cost to become a notary in Florida is less than $150 for a four-year commission term. However, these costs are for the initial application and setup as a notary. So, there may be additional fees for renewing your notary commission, which occurs every four years.
Florida Notary Course
Florida requires first-time notary applicants to complete a three-hour educational course and read Chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes. There are several options available to fulfill this requirement.
Florida Governor’s Office Online Notary Education Course
The Florida Governor’s Office offers this free course. It covers the necessary skills and knowledge to perform notarial duties according to Florida notary law and established standards of sound notary practices.
American Association of Notaries Florida Notary Course
This course prepares you to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to perform your notarial duties according to Florida notary law and established standards of sound notary practices. It comes with a free one-year membership and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
National Notary Association Online Florida Notary Education Training
This state-approved course covers online and remote notary duties and prepares the student to become a commissioned online notary in Florida.
Empowered Notary
Empowered Notary offers various notary education courses that meet the state’s requirements.
Florida Academy of Notaries
This organization offers state-specific notary training in a fun and engaging way to help new and experienced notaries gain the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their businesses.
Three-Hour Florida Notary Course on Notaries.com
This interactive, state-approved notary course is designed for first-time Florida notary applicants. Candidates can access the course on the Notaries website.
How Much Does It Cost to Be a Notary in Florida?
To become a notary in Florida, you must pay several fees and expenses, including the application fee, notary bond, and stamp. The total cost for a four-year Florida notary commission term is less than $150.
How Much Do Notaries Make Per Signing in Florida?
The amount a notary makes per signing in Florida varies depending on the type of signing and the notary’s experience.
- Loan signing agents typically earn a flat fee ranging from $75 to $200 per signing, depending on the order’s source and the documents’ complexity.
- If a loan signing agent gets the order directly from a title company, the fees are generally $150 per loan signing. If the order comes from a signing service company, the fees are generally around $75 to $100 per loan signing.
The average salary for a notary public in Florida is $36,750 annually, with a median salary of $35,000. The average notary signing agent salary in Florida is $78,675 per year, with a 25th percentile salary of $29,075 and a 75th percentile salary of $140,599.
What Is the Best Way to Become a Notary in Florida?
To become a notary in Florida, follow these steps:
- Meet the eligibility requirements
- Complete a notary education course
- Apply for a notary public commission
- Obtain an application from an approved bonding agency
- Obtain a bond from an approved bonding agency
- Apply with the required documents
- Wait for approval
- Once your application is approved, your notary public commission certificate will be mailed to your bonding agency, which will then mail it to you.
What Type of Notary Makes the Most Money?
The type of notary that makes the most money can vary depending on several factors, such as location, specialization, and the demand for notary services in a particular area. There are two main types of notaries: public and notary signing agents. Notaries Public handle general notary work, while Notary Signing Agents focus on high-risk loan documents, such as mortgages, in addition to general notary work.
Notary Signing Agents typically earn more than public notaries due to the complexity of the loan documents they handle and the specialized training required for this role. The average annual salary for a Notary Signing Agent is $99,229, almost double that of a Notary Public.
Notaries who work directly with escrow officers, title agents, lenders, and real estate agents tend to make the most money, as they are more likely to receive repeat business and build a good rapport with clients. Mobile notaries also make more money than stationary notaries, as they can serve more clients and charge additional travel fees.
To maximize your income potential as a notary, expanding your services, specializing in additional services, and working directly with key players in the real estate and mortgage players are essential.
What State Pays Notaries Most?
The states with the highest notary fees and salaries can be broken down into two categories: fees charged by notaries for their services and the average salary of a notary public.
Notary Fees by State
Notary fees vary by state, and some states have specific fee schedules, while others do not. Some examples of fees charged by notaries in different states include the following:
- Florida: Notaries can charge up to $10 for each notarial act.
- New York: Notaries can charge up to $2 per notarial act.
- Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, and Tennessee: These states allow notaries to set their fees if deemed “reasonable.”
- California: The maximum notary fee is subject to California Government Code Section 8211, with a cap on the maximum fees a notary may charge.
- Connecticut: The notary public can charge a maximum fee of $5 per notarial act and 35 cents for each mile traveled.
Average Notary Salary by State
The average yearly salary for a full-time notary public is $50,294. The states with the highest average salary for notaries include:
- New York: The highest notary public annual salary is in New York State, with an average salary of $53,972 per year.
- California: Average annual salaries in Irvine, California, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, are around $53,112 and $50,409, respectively.
What Is the Most A Notary Can Charge in Florida?
In Florida, a notary public may charge up to $10 for performing any notarial act under Part I of Chapter 117, Florida Statutes, excluding marriages. This includes the taking of acknowledgments, administering oaths, and the attestation of tangible or electronic records. However, for solemnizing matrimony (performing a marriage ceremony), a notary public may charge the same fee as the circuit court clerk, which is currently $30.
The law does not specify a maximum fee for notarial acts not specified under Part I (such as verifying vehicle identification numbers, safe-deposit box inventories, and protests). However, fees charged should be reasonable and agreed to in advance. According to the Florida Executive Office of the Governor, notary fees should be calculated on a “per certificate/per seal” basis.
In addition to notary fees, a notary may charge reasonable travel fees, especially if they are mobile notaries. However, these travel fees are not considered notary and should be billed separately from any fee for notary service.
How Long Is Florida Notary Good For?
In Florida, a notary commission is valid for four years. After the expiration of the commission, you will need to renew it through a notary bonding agency by purchasing another 4-year $7,500 surety bond. Florida does not have an automatic renewal process, so you will have to renew your commission.
Becoming a Florida notary or renewing your Florida notary commission usually takes two to three weeks. First-time applicants must complete at least 3 hours of state-approved education within one year before the application. Courses satisfying this requirement may be offered by any public or private sector person or entity registered with the Governor’s Executive Office. They must include a core curriculum approved by that office.
If a notary’s commission does not expire, any documents notarized by that particular notary should stay valid. The same rule applies to an online notary service. A digital notary service’s notarized document is valid as long as the notary’s commission is in effect.
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