A Step-by-Step Guide: How to Become an Online Notary in Florida

Want to become an online notary in Florida? Florida allows qualified notaries to perform Remote Online Notarizations (RON), letting signers appear before the notary through secure live audio-video technology instead of meeting in person.

Florida has authorized Remote Online Notarization since January 1, 2020. However, holding a traditional Florida notary commission does not automatically authorize you to perform RON. You must complete additional training, obtain additional bond and insurance coverage, select a qualifying RON service provider, and register with the Florida Department of State.

Step 1: Become a Commissioned Florida Notary Public

Before registering as a Florida Remote Online Notary, you generally must already hold an active Florida notary public commission.

To qualify for a traditional Florida notary commission, an applicant must generally:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a legal resident of Florida.
• Be able to read, write, and understand English.
• Complete the required application process.
• Obtain the required notary bond.

A Florida notary commission is issued for a four-year term.

Florida notary commission applications are submitted through an approved notary processor. The state fee is currently $39. A traditional Florida notary must also maintain a $7,500 notary bond.

Once your active Florida commission has been issued, you can begin the additional process required to become a Remote Online Notary.

Step 2: Complete Florida's Remote Online Notary Education

Florida requires prospective online notaries to complete education covering the duties, obligations, and technology requirements involved in performing Remote Online Notarizations.

After completing the required RON education, you should receive a certificate of completion. Keep this certificate because it must be submitted with your Florida Online Notary registration.

Step 3: Choose a RON Service Provider

Florida requires you to contract with an appropriate Remote Online Notarization service provider before applying for your online-notary registration.

Your RON platform needs to provide technology and processes that support Florida's requirements, including:

• Secure two-way audio-video communication.
• Electronic documents and electronic signatures.
• An electronic notarial certificate, signature, and seal.
• Credential analysis.
• Identity proofing.
• Recording of the online notarization session.
• Secure storage and retention of required records.

Step 4: Obtain a $25,000 Online Notary Bond

Florida requires an applicant registering as an online notary public to provide evidence of a bond in the amount of $25,000.

The bond is designed to protect individuals who may be harmed by a breach of the online notary's official duties.

Florida law provides that satisfying the $25,000 online-notary bond requirement also satisfies the general notary bond requirement while you are registered as an online notary.

Step 5: Obtain at Least $25,000 in E&O Insurance

Florida also requires an online notary applicant to maintain an Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance policy of at least $25,000.

E&O insurance is different from your notary bond. A bond primarily protects the public, while an E&O policy may help protect you against covered claims arising from mistakes or omissions made while performing your notarial duties.

Step 6: Register as an Online Notary with the Florida Department of State

Once you have your active notary commission, RON training, service provider, bond, and insurance in place, you can complete Florida's Application Registration for Online Notary Public.

Your registration package should include the materials currently required by the Florida Department of State, including:

• Your completed Online Notary Public registration application.
• Your current Florida notary commission or appointment information.
• Your RON education certificate of completion.
• Identification of the RON service provider you intend to use.
• The required Online Notary Public information form.
• Evidence of your $25,000 online-notary bond.
• Evidence of at least $25,000 in E&O insurance.
• The required registration fee.

Florida currently instructs applicants to mail their registration to:

Applications may also be delivered in person or by courier to:

Always check the Florida Department of State website before mailing your paperwork in case forms, addresses, fees, or filing procedures have been updated.

Step 7: Set Up Your Electronic Signature, Seal, and RON Technology

After your Florida Online Notary registration has been approved, make sure your electronic tools are properly configured before conducting your first remote notarization.

Your setup may include:

• A secure electronic notary signature.
• An electronic notary seal.
• A digital certificate or other tamper-evident technology.
• Your electronic notary journal.
• Credential-analysis technology.
• Identity-proofing technology.
• Secure audio-video communication.
• Secure audiovisual recording storage.

Electronic notarization technology must protect the notary's electronic signature and seal and make subsequent alterations to the notarized electronic record detectable as required by Florida law.

Step 8: Follow Florida's Identity Verification Requirements

Identity verification is a critical part of a Florida Remote Online Notarization.

A Florida online notary may establish the principal's identity through personal knowledge. Otherwise, Florida's RON procedure requires the applicable identity-verification process, which includes:

1. Remote presentation of a government-issued identification credential.
2. Credential analysis of that government-issued identification.
3. Identity proofing using knowledge-based authentication or another method that conforms to Florida's requirements.

If the required identity-verification process cannot be successfully completed, the online notarization cannot proceed.

Step 9: Conduct the Notarization from Inside Florida

The signer and witnesses do not have to be physically located in Florida. Florida law permits an online notary who is physically located in the state to perform an online notarization regardless of whether the principal or witnesses are physically located in Florida.

If the principal is outside Florida, the online notary must also obtain confirmation, verbally or through the principal's written consent, that the principal wants the notarial act performed by a Florida notary public under Florida law.

Record the Audio-Video Session

The online notary must use compliant two-way audio-video communication, and the session must be recorded as required by Florida law.

The recording is an important part of the official RON record and must include the required portions of the notarization, including the appearance and identity confirmation of the principal and witnesses, identification of the records being signed, and the actions and spoken words occurring during the online notarization.

Identify the Notarization as Online

Florida requires the electronic notarial certificate to indicate that the notarization was performed online. This requirement may be satisfied by placing the term "online notary" in or adjacent to the online notary's electronic seal.

Step 10: Maintain Your Electronic Journal and Recording

Florida online notaries must keep one or more secure electronic journals containing information about their online notarizations.

Each journal entry generally includes:

• The date and time of the notarization.
• The type of notarial act performed.
• A description or title of the electronic record.
• The name and address of each principal.
• Information showing how the principal's identity was established.
• The fee charged, if any.

Electronic wills are subject to additional Florida requirements, so notaries handling those transactions should review the applicable statutes separately before proceeding.

How Much Can a Florida Online Notary Charge?

Florida law allows an online notary public, or the online notary's employer, to charge up to $25 for performing an online notarial act.

Fees for other services are not governed by that $25 limit. Florida law specifically provides that services supplied by a RON service provider may be charged separately from the fee for the notarial act.

How Long Does a Florida Online Notary Registration Last?

Your Florida Online Notary registration runs concurrently with your underlying Florida notary commission.

That means your RON registration expires on the same date as your traditional notary commission, regardless of when during the commission term you registered as an online notary.

When you obtain a new Florida notary commission, you will need to complete the required process to register again as an online notary.

Florida Online Notary Requirements: Quick Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an Online Notary in Florida

Official Florida Online Notary Resources

Notary requirements can change. Before applying or conducting an online notarization, review the latest information directly from the State of Florida.