Florida has some of the most comprehensive notary laws in the United States — and understanding the basics can save you from costly mistakes, rejected documents, and unnecessary delays. Whether you are a resident needing a single document notarized or a business owner managing high-volume document authentication, this guide covers the key Florida notary rules you need to know.
Florida notaries public are commissioned by the Governor of Florida under Chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes. They are authorized to administer oaths, take acknowledgments, attest to photocopies of certain documents, and perform other official acts. A notary commission in Florida lasts four years and requires a $7,500 surety bond.
Florida notaries are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice about a document’s content. They can only verify the identity of the signer, confirm the signer is acting voluntarily, and witness the signature — nothing more. Asking a notary to advise on legal language is both improper and against Florida Statutes.
One of the most important things Florida residents need to understand is that a notary’s role is strictly procedural. They verify who you are — not what your document says. This distinction matters especially when preparing documents for apostille authentication or international use, where the content accuracy is entirely your responsibility.
Key Florida Notary Laws Every Resident Should Know:
- Signers must appear in person before the notary — or via approved Remote Online Notarization
- A notary must positively identify the signer using a valid government-issued photo ID
- A notary cannot notarize a document in which they have a direct financial interest
- A notary cannot notarize their own signature or a family member’s signature
- Florida notaries may perform Remote Online Notarization (RON) under Chapter 117.265
- Electronic notarizations are legally valid in Florida when performed on an approved RON platform
- A notary journal is not required in Florida but is strongly recommended for liability protection
- Notarized documents intended for international use must then be apostilled by the Florida Secretary of State
Remote Online Notarization — or RON — became permanently available in Florida in 2020, allowing Florida-commissioned notaries to notarize documents for clients located anywhere in the world via audio-visual technology. Our West Palm Beach office offers Florida-compliant RON services for clients who cannot appear in person, making it one of the most flexible and convenient options available to Palm Beach County residents and international clients alike.