To become a commissioned Florida notary public, you must be at least 18 years old, a legal Florida resident, and able to read and write English. Apply through the Florida Department of State at dos.myflorida.com, paying a $39 application fee, and obtain a $7,500 surety bond which costs approximately $40–75 for a 4-year commission period. Your commission is valid for 4 years, after which you renew through the same process—calendar your renewal 90 days before expiration to avoid a lapse in authority. Required notary supplies include an official notary seal (stamp or embosser, $25–50), a notary journal to record all acts performed ($15–25), and reliable transportation for mobile services.

Florida notaries can perform acknowledgments (confirming identity of signers), jurats (administering oaths on sworn statements), copy certifications, and marriages—each has specific requirements you must follow precisely. Florida law sets maximum notary fees: $10 per notarial act for in-person notarizations and $25 per act for remote online notarizations (RON). Never notarize a document if you have a financial or beneficial interest in the transaction, if the signer is not physically present (unless performing RON), or if you doubt the signer's identity or voluntary participation. Keep a notary journal of every act performed including date, document type, signer name, and identification type—this protects you from liability if your notarization is later disputed.

Florida was among the first states to authorize Remote Online Notarization (RON), allowing notaries to perform notarizations via live audio-video technology with signers anywhere in the world. To perform RON, you must apply for a separate RON authorization from the Florida Department of State and use an approved RON platform like Notarize, DocVerify, or Pavaso. RON fees can be set at $25 per notarial act (higher than in-person) and you can perform multiple RON sessions per day without traveling—a massive efficiency advantage. Florida's early adoption of RON creates competitive advantage for Florida notaries who can serve national clients including law firms, financial institutions, and real estate companies seeking efficient remote document execution.

Establish your notary business as an LLC ($125 at sunbiz.org) for liability protection and professional credibility with the title companies and law firms who will be your primary clients. Purchase Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance ($500,000 coverage) through providers like NNA (National Notary Association)—this covers you against claims of notarial errors and is often required by title companies before they will assign you signings. Create a professional email address, business cards, and a simple website listing your services, coverage area, hours, and contact information. Join the NNA ($65/year) and American Association of Notaries for resources, background screening credentials, and access to their service directories that connect you with signing assignments.