How to Become a Notary in Florida: Schools, Requirements, Cost, Salary

In Florida, legality is the basis for maintaining orderliness and fairness. Just like every other legal profession, the Notary public is among the professions in the state that if you are dreaming of building an exceptional career in this field without having concrete information, you are making just making your dream to be a mere wise. Here you will learn more about all it takes to become a Notary in Florida including the schools you can study in.

According to legaldictionary.com, a public official whose main powers include administering oaths and attesting to signatures. He can be commissioned in his legal name and sign notarial certificates in his commissioned name, and his notary seal must bear that name.

This post will provide you with an in-depth knowledge of the most vital information you need to know once becoming a notary public in Florida is concerned. It will also help you know the best schools in Florida wherein you can study to become a notary.

You can quickly navigate through the table of contents below to get an overview of all that this post entails.

Who is a Notary in Florida?

In Florida, a Notary Public is a state Governor’s appointee whose major roles include administering oaths, attesting to photocopies of documents, Protesting for the non-acceptance or non-payment of negotiable instruments and handling other functions specified by law.

Notaries Public in Florida is also bestowed with the authority to certify the contents of a safe-deposit box, certify the Vehicle Identification Number of a motor vehicle, and copies of non-recordable documents.

What Does a Notary in Florida Do?

The major function of a Notary in Florida is to grant, administer oaths and authenticate photocopies of documents within the state.

In administering an oath, it’s done orally in depositions and on the court hearing of a group of activists swearing by phone instead of in front of a judge. In this case, the victims are sworn in the same way as the judge. Note, oaths are also administered in the form of affidavits and other sworn statements on paper.

Also, they legalize marriage between parties with a valid marriage license. Since the law has no requirements for the form of a marriage ceremony, many notaries perform both civil and religious marriage ceremonies.

In the case where the owner of a box containing fortunes dies, The bank or anybody in the custody of that fortune must have a Notary present before the box is opened. The notary then certifies the contents of the box and makes a certificate thereof for presentation to the court or to the personal representative of the Decedent’s estate.

In Florida, a notary is granted the authority by the state’s law to verify the Vehicle Identification Number of a motor vehicle and certify this fact to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles when that vehicle has not previously been registered with the state.

Moreso, they verify copies of driver licenses, passports, and any other documents which are not qualified for public recordation.

Furthermore, notary in Florida draft protests, i.e. certificates of dishonor, which certify that payment on a negotiable instrument has been refused. This is an antiquated act that appears only one place in the Florida Statutes.

How Much does it cost to become a Notary in Florida?

Becoming a notary in Florida cost is one of the most affordable in the State. According to Work Chron, the total costs ranges from $150-$200.

Breaking it down, you will spend $39 on filing fee to process an application for appointment or reappointment. Then, $75,000 for notary bonds and notary stamp. Other costs for things like surety bonds and Notary seals, depends largely on the provider you choose.

In this respect, the provider you choose matters a lot. So choose wisely.

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Aside from the monetary cost, you will have to present an educational notary course offered by an approved educational vendor and a notary journal. In case you want to get personal protection against liability, you must have an E&O insurance policy.

Note, you will not pay any commission fee as far as issuing of a commission as a notary for a veteran is concerned.

What is the Salary of Notary Public Like in Florida?

Actually, the Florida notary public doesn’t earn salaries. They earn money whenever they sign a document.

Each document price ranges from $2- $30. These fees are fixed by the State notary statute in Florida. For instance, signature on Acknowledgments, Oaths or affirmations, Jurats, Protests, and Copy certifications is $10.00 each.

Solemnizing a marriage is $30.00, Verifying a VIN is $20.00 while Performing an online notarization is $25.

Now, come to think of how much you will earn in a day if you have to sign up to 50 documents a day.

That is a large sum of money we are talking about here.

How Long does it take to become a Notary in Florida?

The duration or length it takes to become a Notary public is usually dependent on the state. In Florida, to become a commissioned notary Public can take 2 to 4 weeks.

Training required to become a Notary Public in Florida

Training is very important here. Before you apply, it’s expected of you to have completed a three-hour course. This course is offered by the state or by a vendor with a training program approved by the Executive Office of the Governor.

However, the course must be completed within one year prior to applying for a Notary commission. After then, you will receive a completion certificate that you need to submit with your application form.

Note, if you are renewing your commission, you are not expected to take this educational course.

Where can I get a Notary Training in Florida?

Florida Notary regulating agency provides notary training. Also, some local community colleges in Florida and other states proffer Notary education.

Interestingly, you can start your notary training in either a classroom or online training.

What are the Requirements to Become a Notary?

Just like other states in America, there are some criteria that any person who wants to become a Notary Public in Florida must meet. Now, this is aside from the special training that the individual must attend.

• The candidate must be 18 years and above
• Must be a lawful resident of Florida
• Be a permanent resident alien with proof of the Declaration of Domicile.
• Be proficiency in the English Language
• Must have had restoration civil rights if have ever been a convict.

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How to Become a Notary Signing Agent in Florida

A Notary signing agent in Florida is a Notary who specializes in handling notarized loan documents. They are independent contractors to ensure that real estate loan documents are executed by the borrower, notarized, and returned for processing on time.

For people that lend money, Notary signing agents are the critical final link to complete the loan.

Become a Notary Signing Agent in Florida follows the under listed processes;

• You must be a Notary Public first.
• Have an NSA certified and background screened by a reputable company in order to meet the other requirements.
• Get in-depth knowledge of the roles of a signing agent by taking a training course.
• You may need to get a printing and mobile device because you will need to contact companies and signers, printing and delivering documents.
• Promote yourself on signing agent databases so title and signing service companies can find you.
• Finally, start working as a Notary signing agent.

How to Become a Notary Public in the State of Florida

There are five basic steps you must take if you want to become a Notary in the state of Florida. They count the following;

• Enroll for a 3 hours Florida Notary course
• Fill your Application
• Order your Florida notary bond and supplies from the American Association of Notaries
• Send your filled application and notary training certificate to AAN
• Wait for a Mail

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#1. Enroll for a 3 hours Florida Notary course

Before you can become a Florida Notary, this is the first thing you must do. As an applicant, you are required to go for an educational course after reading chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes.

Interestingly, you can take this course for free and at your own pace because it is online.

#2. Fill your Application

As an applicant, once you are done taking the online free course offered by the Florida Department of State, you are required to submit an online application to the office of the Florida Governor.

In the application, you are to specify your Personal information, Employer information, Qualifications, Character affidavit, Oath of Office and Bond. Note, a character affidavit is like a recommendation from someone that is not related to you and is willing to attest that you are of good behavior.

#3. Order your Florida notary bond and supplies from the American Association of Notaries

Then you are to provide a four-year, $7,500 Florida notary bond and pay the $39 state filing fee.

However, the four-year, $7,500 Florida notary bond cost only $40.

Note, each of your documents must be stamped or sealed with a seal bearing your name and commission number, along with the words “Notary Public – State of Florida” on it.

#4.Send your filled application and notary training certificate to AAN

This is the next step that is very important. You have to be careful here because you might fill your application with all the necessary requirements well stamped, once you don’t send it to the proper office, all you did will be a waste.

Make sure your Florida notary application, signed notary bond, the oath of office, and the notary training certificate to the American Association of Notaries are all signed to ensure authentication.

Finally

#5. Wait for a Mail

Once you have completed all the above-mentioned steps, you wait patiently for a mail of your Florida notary commission certificate and supplies.

Accompanying Documents

Some of the document you must have includes:

How Do I apply for Notary Public in Florida Manually?

Should in case you are scared of applying online because of the fraudulent activities that are rampant, there is an alternative.

You can apply manually or offline. To do that just follow the steps below;

Once your application is accepted, you will receive an email. The mail shows that you have been commissioned as Florida Notary Public.

What Should I do if my Application is Denied?

If your notary application is denied you can re-submit an application one year after the date the application was signed.

Note, when re-applying, you can attach any supplemental materials that demonstrate your fitness to serve in public office as a notary to your application.

What are the Schools that can help you to become a Notary in Florida?

Here is a list of schools that offers notary public classes;

• Broward College
• Florida Notary Service
• Mall of Americas DMV
• Florida Community Bank
• Budget Notary
• State of Florida Notary
• Southwest Florida Public Service Academy
• Florida Department of State
• State of Florida Underwriters
• Momentum Solar
• Aaron Notary Appointment Services, Inc.
• Budget Notary Services, Inc.
• Troy Fain Notary
• National Notary Association
• Huckleberry Notary Bonding Inc
• Deerfield Beach
• Wells Fargo Bank
• Gold Coast Insurance Training
• Chase Bank

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Lets explore some of these schools

Broward College

Address: 111 East Las Olas Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Broward College is one of the schools in Florida that can help you become a Notary public.

This school provides online courses in 2 training qualifications; Florida Certified Notary Public and PMP CAPM Certificate. Note, to complete the notary program at Broward college duration is 6 weeks and it will cost $400.

Read More

Florida Community Bank

Address: 205 Del Prado Boulevard South Cape Coral, FL 33990

Florida Community Bank is also another school in Florida that can help any passionate person that wants to build a profession as a notary attend. This school offers training in one qualification which is Florida Certified Notary Public. And it will take you 10 hours to complete this course. Note, to pursue a notary course at Florida Community Bank will cost $200.

Read More

National Notary Association

National Notary Association is one of the boards in Florida that can help you become a notary public or even notary signing agents.

Basically, NNA offers training in 27 different qualifications which Certified Notary Public, Florida Certified Notary Public, and Certified NSA are included. The duration for these programs ranges from 1 hour to 6 weeks and the cost ranges from $25 to $500. Specifically, Florida Certified Notary Public cost ranges from $130 – $300

Note, the cost and duration depends largely on the qualification you are pursuing.

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State of Florida Underwriters

State of Florida Underwriters is another school that offers notary classes online. This school provides students with 1 qualification training which is Florida Certified Notary Public that takes 8 hours to complete. Note, the cost of getting this Florida Certified Notary Public qualification is $300.

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Momentum Solar

Momentum Solar offers helpful career services that can help prepare you for a good notary career. Basically, this school’s classes are online and are focused on one training qualification which is Florida Certified Notary Public. Note, completing this training will cost you $200 and a maximum hour of 4.

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FAQ on How to Become a Notary in Florida

Sources

• Legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
• Indeed.com/certifications/s
• Floridanotaries.com
• floridanotaryservice.com