As of January 1, 2020, Florida Notaries may register to perform remote online notarizations (RONs). If you want to become an online Notary in Florida, here are the steps you are required to take:
- Hold either an existing commission as a traditional Notary, civil law Notary or commissioner of deeds.
- Complete a RON training course and pass the exam.
- Get a $25,000 surety bond and a $25,000 E&O insurance policy.
- Choose a state-approved RON technology provider.
- Mail your completed registration form to the Florida Department of State. You must include your commission or appointment number, certificate of completion for the RON training, proof of your bond and E&O policy, the RON service provider of your choice, and payment for the $10 registration fee.
If you're currently registered as a remote online Notary, you're required to submit the following items to the Secretary of State by March 24, 2022: 1) Each RON provider you've used since January 1, 2022, and 2) Details about where your electronic journals are stored as of January 1, 2022. Sign in to your account and complete Form Number DS-DOC-50 online or email a completed DS-DOC-50 form to the Division of Corporations.
In This Guide: Florida RON Requirements | About RON in Florida | Additional FAQs
Requirements to be a Remote Notary in Florida
Before you apply to become a remote online Notary in Florida, you must hold an existing commission as a traditional Notary, civil law Notary or commissioner of deeds. Traditional Notaries must be at least 18 years old and a legal resident of Florida with no criminal record.
Does Florida require special training to work as an online Notary?
You must complete a two-hour RON training course in order to be registered as an FL online Notary. The course covers remote online notarization best practices and technology requirements. It can be completed in person or online, however, you must select an education provider that is approved by the state.
The cost of Florida RON training courses ranges from $20 to $170, depending on the provider you choose. The National Notary Association offers a convenient remote online notarization course that meets Florida's state requirements.
Once you have completed the necessary training, you will need to attach your certificate of completion to your remote Notary application.
Is an exam required to become a remote Notary?
RON training courses include an exam, which you will need to pass to receive a certificate of completion required for Florida remote online Notaries.
What tools and technology do I need to perform online notarizations in Florida?
Virtual Notaries in Florida will need a computer, webcam, microphone and secure connection to the internet. Your computer must be able to support two-way audio and visual communication in order to perform RON services. The Florida Department of State does not have a list of approved third-party vendors, but DocuSign, DocVerify, Notarize, NotaryCam, Pavaso, Safedocs and SIGNiX all offer end-to-end online notarization solutions.
Florida allows you to contract with more than one RON technology provider as long as you keep the Department of State up to date with each of your chosen vendors.
You are also required to have an electronic seal, electronic journal and digital certificate containing your electronic signature — all of which may be included in the remote online notarization service provider of your choice.
Do I need another surety bond?
Florida requires online Notaries to have a $25,000 surety bond. If your existing Notary bond already meets those requirements, then you do not need to purchase separate or additional coverage.
Florida Notaries who already have a $7,500 surety bond for their traditional Notary commissions must increase the bond to $25,000 to apply to be remote Notaries.
Is an E&O insurance policy required for Florida?
Although Florida does not make errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy mandatory for traditional commissions, the state does require online Notaries to get a $25,000 E&O policy.
An E&O insurance policy protects you from potential errors or omissions that may be made during notarizations. If you currently have an insurance policy, check with your insurer to learn whether you can increase your coverage to meet the Florida RON requirements or whether your policy already includes coverage for this type of commission.
About Remote Online Notarization (RON) in Florida
Not sure what online notarization is, or how it works in the Sunshine State? We have you covered. Here is what Notaries and signers should know about Florida RONs.
Does Florida allow remote notarization?
Yes, the "Electronic Legal Documents" enacting statute was signed into law which went into effect on January 1, 2020. This law authorizes FL remote Notaries to perform online notarizations for signers located anywhere in the world; however, the Notary must be physically located in their commissioning state of Florida during the notarial act.
How do remote online notarizations work in Florida?
In online notarizations, the signer personally appears before the Notary Public in real-time using audio-video technology. The Notary verifies the signer’s identity by 1) personal knowledge or 2) remote presentation of a government-issued ID, credential analysis, and identity proofing via knowledge-based authentication (KBA) or another approved identity proofing method.
The Notary then asks the signer to confirm they are aware of what they are signing and are willing to proceed. Afterward, the Notary checks the documents, attaches an electronic seal and attaches a digital certificate containing their electronic signature. Once the notarization is complete, the Notary fills out their electronic journal and saves an audio-visual recording of the transaction.
Remote Notaries in Florida may perform notarizations for signers in any location as long as they're physically located in the state at the time of the notarial act.
Starting on January 1, 2022, remote Notaries are no longer responsible for saving an audio-visual recording of the notarization. The requirement to retain such recordings will be the responsibility of your chosen RON provider.
What notarial acts can be performed virtually in Florida?
Florida allows remote online Notaries to perform the following notarial acts:
- Taking an acknowledgment
- Executing a jurat
- Administering an oath or affirmation
- Supervising the witnessing of an electronic record
Starting on January 1, 2022, all Florida Notaries can administer an oath using any audio-video communication and not just a RON provider.
How long does a remote notarization take vs. traditional notarization?
Remote notarizations take less time than traditional notarizations because they don't require the signer nor the Notary to meet in person, saving you time from traveling. Depending on the RON technology company you choose, you can receive and complete a notarization request within a few minutes without having to leave your home.
Additional RON FAQs
Here are answers to several commonly-asked questions about providing RON services in the state of Florida.
How much does it cost to register as a remote Notary?
The cost of becoming a remote online Notary in Florida ranges from below $100 to a few hundred dollars, depending on the companies you choose to work with and a variety of other factors. For example, you will need to pay for the state-required training course, the state's $10 application filing fee, any sign-up fees associated with your preferred RON technology provider, and the cost of your digital supplies like the eSeal and digital certificate.
The cost for you to maintain a $25,000 surety bond and $25,000 E&O insurance policy may vary depending on your credit history among other factors. You may already have a computer, webcam, microphone and secure internet access set up at home, but if you don't, you'll need to factor that equipment into your startup costs.
How much can FL remote Notaries charge for their services?
Online Notaries registered in Florida may charge up to $25 per notarization. An additional fee of $20 may be charged for making and delivering electronic copies of a given series of related electronic records as long as you disclose this amount to the signer prior to making the copies.
How long does it take to become a Virtual Notary in Florida?
It can take up to six weeks to become an FL online Notary. Up to four of those weeks will be spent on the first step of the registration process: becoming a traditional Notary. The rest of the process can be done fairly quickly.
After you receive your commission as a traditional Notary Public, you will spend two hours taking the required RON training course, one to two days getting a quote for both the surety bond and E&O policy, and one day getting your application form notarized. Then, you will need to print proof of the requested materials and send it to the address listed on the Florida Department of State's website along with your $10 registration fee.
How long will my remote Notary commission last?
Florida's remote online Notary commission runs concurrently with your traditional Notary Public commission, meaning both will expire on the same day, regardless of when you received your online Notary commission. You may renew your traditional Notary commission and reapply for your online Notary authorization at the same time, but you may not reapply to become an online Notary without your traditional commission.
What if I change RON service providers or the location of my electronic journals?
You must submit a revised form within 30 days of the change to the Secretary of State. You can do this by signing into your account and completing Form Number DS-DOC-50 online or emailing a completed DS-DOC-50 form to the Division of Corporations.
Do you have to be a certified NSA to work as an online Notary Public?
No, you do not have to be a certified Notary Signing Agent to become a remote Notary in Florida. However, getting your NSA certification makes you eligible to receive more RON assignments and ensures RON technology providers that you've passed a current background screening.
Will RON services grow my FL Notary business?
Yes, becoming a remote online Notary and joining a RON platform can help your business grow. Your customer base is no longer limited to Florida residents when you're an online Notary. You may notarize for signers outside of the state border or anywhere else as long as you're physically located in Florida at the time of notarization.