When Can I Renew My Notary Commission in Florida
Florida notaries are appointed by the Governor for a four-year notary term. Your notary commission in Florida is not automatically renewed at the end of the notary term, and you must go through the same application process you did the first time you applied to become a notary in Florida.
If your Florida notary commission is about to expire, do not delay in renewing it! A Florida notary who fails to renew his or her notary commission in a timely manner may experience an interruption in his or her Florida notary work. To avoid a lapse in your Florida notary commission or notary services, be sure to renew as early as possible. The American Association of Notaries suggests you kick off the Florida notary renewal process six months prior to the expiration of your commission, although you cannot actually renew your commission more than sixty days prior to its expiration date.
The Florida notary commission renewal process is straightforward. Simply follow this step-by-step guide to renew your Florida notary commission today:
1. Complete a Florida notary application.
Florida notaries who wish to renew their notary commissions must go through the same application process they did the first time they applied to become Florida notaries. You must first 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 up to six months before the expiration date. This will provide you with plenty of time to make any necessary corrections needed on the notary application. Keep in mind, however, that 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 not required to complete a notary course.
2. Purchase a four-year, $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 notary application filing fee.
Florida notary applicants and those renewing their Florida notary commissions must pay a fee of $39 to process their notary applications. Typically, this notary application fee and the bond fee are paid to the bonding agency. The bonding agency then issues the bond and sends the application to the State along with the $39 fee.
4. Purchase a Florida notary stamp.
When your current commission ends, you must buy a new Florida notary stamp. Florida law states that your notary stamp must be a rubber, black-inked stamp and must contain the following information:
- Your name
- Your Florida notary commission’s expiration date
- Your assigned commission number
- The words “Notary Public”
- The words “State of Florida”
The State does not provide specific dimension requirements. State notary law neither prohibits nor requires an emblem or symbol on your Florida notary stamp, 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.
When renewing your Florida notary commission, you should choose a one-stop-shop company that can handle the Florida notary application process from start to finish. Select a notary bonding agency that can provide you with both the notary bond and the notary stamp. The bonding company must be authorized to do business with the state and be able to process your application promptly.
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.
Legal Disclaimer: The American Association of Notaries seeks to provide timely articles for notaries to assist them with information for managing their notary businesses, enhancing their notary education, and securing their notary stamp and notary supplies. Every effort is made to provide accurate and complete information in the American Association of Notaries newsletters. However, we make no warrant, expressed or implied, and we do not represent, undertake, or guarantee that the information in the newsletter is correct, accurate, complete, or non-misleading. Information in this article is not intended as legal advice. We are not attorneys. We do not pretend to be attorneys. Though we will sometimes provide information regarding notaries' best practices, federal laws and statutes, and the laws and statutes of each state, we have gathered this information from a variety of sources and do not warrant its accuracy. In no event shall the American Association of Notaries, its employees, or contractors be liable to you for any claims, penalties, loss, damage, or expenses, howsoever arising, including, and without limitation, direct or indirect loss or consequential loss out of or in connection with the use of the information contained in the American Association of Notaries newsletters. It is your responsibility to know the appropriate notary laws governing your state. Notaries are advised to seek the advice of their states' notary authorities or attorneys in their state if they have legal questions. If a section of this disclaimer is determined by any court or other competent authority to be unlawful and/or unenforceable, the other sections of this disclaimer continue in effect.
Florida notary bonds and errors and omissions insurance policies provided by this insurance agency, the American Association of Notaries, Inc., are underwritten by Western Surety Company (established 1900). Kal Tabbara is a licensed insurance agent in Florida.