How to Become a Notary Public in Florida

Checked against Executive Office of the Governor, Notary Section · Verified 2026-10-10

Exam: Not required
Training: Required
Term: 4 years
State fee: $39 (fixed by law)
Bond: $7,500 surety bond (s. 117.01, F.S.), bought through an approved bonding agency; it protects the public, not the notary
Commissioned by: Executive Office of the Governor, Notary Section

Take the free notary practice test →

Who can apply

Be at least 18 years old.
Be a legal resident of Florida for the whole term (a permanent resident alien must file a recorded Declaration of Domicile).
Be able to read, write and understand English.
Disclose any felony conviction; applicants with a conviction must attach the court documents and proof that civil rights were restored or a pardon.

Step by step

Within the year before you apply, complete at least 3 hours of notary education — the Department of State's free online course qualifies.
Choose a state-approved bonding agency (notary processor); it provides the $7,500 bond, prepares the application, pays the state fees and supplies your seal.
Fill out the application the agency gives you, with felony documents if they apply.
Submit it through the agency, which files it with the State electronically.
Once approved, get your certificate and seal from the agency, check them, and don't use the seal before your commission's start date.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: At least 3 hours of interactive or classroom instruction within 1 year before applying, for first-time applicants. The Department of State's free online notary education program qualifies.

No state exam here, but notaries are liable for mistakes. Check your notary knowledge with the free practice test →

What it costs in Florida

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

3-hour notary education course (Department of State online course is free)$0
$7,500 bond premium and agency service fee$
State fee ($25 application, $10 commission fee, $4 surcharge)$39
Notary seal (through the agency)$
Remote online notary registration fee(optional)$10

Estimated total in Florida$39Plus 2 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

Bond premium and service fee charged by the bonding agency (varies)
Notary seal (supplied by the agency)
Remote online notary registration (optional): $10 fee, a $25,000 bond, $25,000 errors-and-omissions insurance, a 2-hour course and a contract with an online-notary platform

Pay in Florida

Before you compare job offers, see what a paycheck takes home in Florida after taxes.

What other sites get wrong about Florida

Myth: Florida does not require a notary bond.

Fact: Every Florida notary must give a $7,500 bond (s. 117.01, F.S.), bought through an approved bonding agency. source

After you're commissioned

Renewal: Renewing notaries skip the education requirement and apply again through an approved bonding agency.

Remote online notarization: Yes — an active Florida notary can register as a Remote Online Notary (s. 117.225, F.S.); the registration expires with the notary commission.

Good to know in Florida

Fee limit: A notary may charge no more than $10 per notarial act (s. 117.05(2)(a), F.S.), except for solemnizing a marriage (s. 117.045) and remote online notarizations, which may be up to $25 (s. 117.275).

Renewal cost: There is no automatic reappointment: each renewal is a full application with the same $39 state fee ($25 fee, $10 commission fee, $4 surcharge; s. 117.01, F.S.) and a new bond through an approved bonding agency.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Executive Office of the Governor, Notary Section before you apply.