How to Become a Notary in Florida (2026): Requirements, Cost & Steps

Requirements verified July 18, 2026 against Florida Department of State — Notary Commissions and Certifications Section (appointments made by the Governor)

Florida notaries are appointed by the Governor for four years. You take a free three-hour course (first-timers), then apply through a state-approved bonding agency that files your $7,500 bond and collects the fixed $39 state fee — most agencies bundle everything, including your seal, for well under $150. No exam.

Florida is one of the few states where notaries are appointed personally by the Governor — and the only way to apply is through a private bonding agency, not directly to the state. First-timers complete a three-hour course (the state's own online version is free), then hand everything to an approved bonding agency, which writes the required $7,500 bond, pays the fixed $39 in state fees, files the application, and later mails your commission certificate and stamp. Since the state fee is set by law but bond and seal prices are not, it pays to compare a few agencies.

In practice, expect one payment of roughly $100 or less for a complete package and a few weeks of processing, with no exam anywhere in the process. Standard notary fees are capped at $10 per act, so most Floridians treat the commission as a job skill or pair it with signing work — plus Florida's quirk: notaries here can legally perform marriage ceremonies.

Florida was also an early mover on remote online notarization — legal since January 1, 2020. Adding RON is a separate registration with real costs: a RON course, a technology provider contract, a $25,000 bond, and $25,000 in E&O coverage, but it raises your per-act cap from $10 to $25.

Who can become a notary in Florida?

• Age: at least 18 years old.
• Residency: You must be a legal resident of Florida and stay one for the whole term. A permanent resident alien can apply but must file a recorded Declaration of Domicile with the application. There is no non-resident commission.
• Background: You must be able to read, write, and understand English. If you have a felony conviction, you can only be appointed if your civil rights have been restored — the application requires a written statement about the charges, the judgment and sentencing order, and your Certificate of Restoration of Civil Rights or pardon. Appointment is at the Governor's sole discretion.
• You swear on the application that you have read Chapter 117, Florida Statutes, and know the duties and powers of a notary public.

How to apply: step by step

1. First-time applicants: complete at least three hours of approved notary education within one year before applying. The Department of State's online Notary Education Program is free and satisfies the requirement. Renewing notaries skip this step.
2. Pick a state-approved bonding agency (the Department of State publishes the list). Compare prices — the $39 state fee is fixed by law, but bond premiums and seal prices are not.
3. Complete the application form your bonding agency provides, including the sworn oath. Disclose any felony history and attach the required court and rights-restoration documents.
4. Pay the agency once. It writes your $7,500 surety bond, pays the $39 in state fees ($25 application + $10 commission + $4 education surcharge), and files everything with the Department of State for the Governor's appointment.
5. Wait while the Department of State processes the application. Check status through your bonding agency — the state routes everything through them.
6. Receive your commission certificate and rubber-stamp seal from the bonding agency. Verify the name, commission number, and expiration date before you notarize anything.

How long it takes: The state does not publish a fixed turnaround, and all status checks go through your bonding agency. Plan on a few weeks from submitting the application to receiving your certificate and seal.

What it costs in Florida

Exam and training

Required course: First-time applicants must complete at least three hours of interactive or classroom notary instruction within the year before applying (s. 117.01(1), F.S.). The Department of State's online course is free; other approved providers exist. Renewing notaries are exempt.

Florida has no notary exam. The only study requirement is the three-hour education course for first-time applicants.

Can you notarize online in Florida? RON allowed

Yes — Florida authorizes remote online notarization (RON). Authorized by HB 409 (Chapter 2019-71, Laws of Florida), in effect since January 1, 2020, with procedures in Rule 1N-7.001, Florida Administrative Code. RON notaries may charge up to $25 per online act.

To add RON to your commission: You must already be an active Florida notary. Then: complete a RON-specific education course and get the certificate, contract with a Department-approved RON service provider (the technology vendor that handles identity proofing, credential analysis, and audio-video recording), obtain a $25,000 surety bond and a $25,000 errors-and-omissions policy (s. 117.225(6)-(7), F.S.), and file the online notary registration with the Department of State's Division of Corporations with a $10 fee. Your RON registration expires with your underlying commission.

Full guide: how to become a remote online notary.

After you're commissioned

Get your stamp and journal. A rubber-stamp seal in photographically reproducible black ink is the official seal (s. 117.05(3)(a), F.S.). It must contain the words 'Notary Public-State of Florida', your name, your commission number, and your commission expiration date. A metal impression (embosser) seal may be used in addition to — not instead of — the rubber stamp. See the new-notary supplies checklist and Florida stamp requirements before you order.

What you can charge: Florida caps notary fees at $10 per notarial act. Section 117.05(2)(a), F.S., caps charges at $10 for any one notarial act. Online notarizations are capped separately at $25 (s. 117.275). Florida notaries may also perform marriage ceremonies, with the fee capped at the rate circuit court clerks may charge.

E&O insurance: Optional for traditional notaries — the bond protects the public, while E&O protects you. Note that Florida does require a $25,000 E&O policy if you register as an online (RON) notary.

Earning more with your commission

Most new notaries who turn the commission into real income do it through loan signings — notarizing mortgage document packages for title companies. If that interests you, start with what a loan signing agent actually does and earns. Loan signing agent guide

Florida notary FAQ