How to renew your notary commission in Florida

A Florida notary intending to renew his or her notary commission must do so as early as possible to avoid any lapse in his or her Florida notary work. The Florida notary process is simple and straightforward. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to renew your Florida notary commission:

1. Complete and submit a Florida notary application.

A Florida notary wishing to renew his or her notary commission must go through the same application process as the first time they applied to be a Florida notary. You must complete a Florida notary application and submit it to a state-approved bonding agency similar to the American Association of Notaries. Keep in mind that you can submit the Florida notary application to the notary bonding agency within six months before the expiration date. This will provide you with enough time to make any necessary corrections needed on the notary application. Keep in mind the notary bonding agency cannot submit the notary application to the State more than sixty days before your Florida notary commission expiration date. Also, please note that Florida notary renewal applicants are exempt from completing a notary course.

2. Purchase a $7,500, Florida notary bond.

To renew your Florida notary commission, you are required to purchase a $7,500 Florida notary bond from a notary bonding agency authorized to do business in Florida. The purpose of the bond is to provide financial protection to your clients if you fail to properly perform your notarial duties. The notary bonding company that issued the bond will pay clients up to $7,500 for any financial damages they incur.  

3. Pay the Florida notary application filing fee.

Florida notary applicants and those renewing their Florida notary commissions are required to pay a fee of $39 to process the application. Usually, this notary application fee and the bond fee are paid to the bonding agency. The bonding agency issues the bond and sends the application to the state with the $39.00 fee.

4. Purchase a new Florida notary stamp.

When your current commission ends, you are required to buy a new Florida notary stamp. Florida law states that it must be a rubber, black-inked notary stamp and must contain your name, the commission’s expiration date, your assigned commission number, the words “Notary Public,” and the words “State of Florida.” The state does not provide specific dimension requirements. It also does not prohibit or require an emblem or symbol, but you are not allowed to use the Great Seal of the State of Florida. You can use a notary seal embosser in conjunction with a notary stamp, but you cannot use an embosser by itself.

To renew your Florida notary commission, it is recommended you choose a one-stop-shop company that can handle the Florida notary application process from start to finish. Choose a notary bonding agency that can provide you the notary bond and notary stamp. The bonding company must be authorized to do business with the state and able to process your application in a timely manner.

The American Association of Notaries has been helping Florida notaries become notaries and renew their notary commissions since 2001. To renew your Florida notary commission, please visit our website https://www.floridanotaries.com/renew-notary.