Can you take the Florida notary course for free?

Yes. The Florida Department of State offers the required three-hour course free of charge, although bonding agencies also sell their own versions bundled into a package.

Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to be a Florida notary?

No. You must be at least 18 and a legal Florida resident able to read and write English; United States citizenship is not required.

What is the Affidavit of Character?

It is a statement on the application signed by an unrelated person who has known you for at least one year, vouching for your character. It is a standard part of the Florida application.

Why can't you apply directly to the state?

Florida does not issue applications or seals itself. You must file through a state-approved bonding agency, which provides the application, bond, fee payment, and seal.

How long does a Florida notary commission last?

Four years. Florida has no automatic renewal, so you must reapply through a bonding agency before your commission expires.

How to Become a Notary in Florida (2026): Steps, Cost & Bonding Agency

This guide is educational and informational, not legal advice. Florida notary rules are set in Chapter 117, Florida Statutes, and can change, so confirm the details with the Florida Department of State before you apply. We explain the official process; we do not sell or submit applications.

Quick answer: To become a notary in Florida you must be 18, a legal Florida resident, complete a three-hour education course, and obtain a $7,500 surety bond. Florida is unusual: you cannot apply directly to the state, so you file your application, bond, and $39 fee through a state-approved bonding agency, and the Governor appoints you for a four-year term. Use the checklist below to total your real cost.

Open the cost checklist ↓

What does it cost to become a notary in Florida?

Becoming a Florida notary usually costs $50 to $120 through a bonding agency package, and a money-saving tip most agencies skip is that the three-hour course is offered free by the Department of State. The fixed state fee is $39, set by law; the $7,500 bond premium and the seal are competitively priced, so the state itself recommends comparing several bonding agencies before you buy. Tick what applies and the checklist totals it live.

How do you become a notary in Florida?

You become a Florida notary by completing the education, getting bonded, and filing through an approved bonding agency. The steps, in order, are:

Confirm you are eligible. Be at least 18 and a legal Florida resident; United States citizenship is not required, but you must be a lawful resident and able to read and write English.
Complete the three-hour education course. Required for first-time applicants; the Department of State offers it free, though bonding agencies also sell their own version.
Get your Affidavit of Character signed. An unrelated person who has known you for at least one year confirms your character on the application.
Choose a state-approved bonding agency. The state does not take applications directly, so the agency provides the application, writes your $7,500 bond, pays the $39 state fee, and supplies your seal.
Submit and receive your commission. The agency files everything; once the Governor appoints you, the agency sends your commission certificate and seal so you can begin.

Why must you apply through a bonding agency in Florida?

Florida requires you to file through a state-approved bonding agency because the state does not hand out applications, write bonds, or sell seals itself. After you finish the education course, you contact an approved agency that bundles the application, the $7,500 surety bond, the $39 state fee, and the notary seal into one package. This is why Florida feels different from states where you mail an application straight to the Secretary of State, and it is why comparing a few agencies pays off, since only the bond premium and seal vary in price.

What are the requirements to become a Florida notary?

The Florida requirements combine basic eligibility with two steps that surprise people: the education course and the character affidavit. You must be at least 18, a legal Florida resident, and able to read and write English; first-time applicants complete a three-hour course, and the application includes an Affidavit of Character signed by an unrelated person who has known you for at least a year, plus an Oath of Office sworn before another notary. You also need the $7,500 bond and a compliant seal showing your name, "Notary Public," and "State of Florida."

Do you need a bond to be a Florida notary?

Yes, Florida requires a $7,500 surety bond for the full four-year commission, and you cannot be commissioned without it. The bond protects the public if your mistake or misconduct causes financial loss; it does not protect you, which is why many notaries also buy optional errors and omissions insurance for their own protection. Because the bond is part of the agency package, its premium is one of the few costs that varies, so it is worth comparing.

How do you renew a Florida notary commission?

You renew by reapplying through a bonding agency with a new $7,500 bond and the $39 fee, since Florida has no automatic renewal. The good news is that if your last commission expired less than ten years ago, you do not have to retake the three-hour course. Start about six months early, because you cannot notarize during any gap between commissions.

Can you become an online or mobile notary in Florida?

Yes. A mobile notary is a commissioned Florida notary who travels to clients and may charge an agreed travel fee on top of the per-act fee, which Florida caps at $10 per notarial act. To notarize remotely by audio-video, you must first hold a traditional commission, then register as a Remote Online Notary with the Department of State, pay the $10 registration fee, and obtain the larger $25,000 online notary bond.

Becoming a Florida notary: frequently asked questions

Can you take the Florida notary course for free?: Yes. The Florida Department of State offers the required three-hour course free of charge, although bonding agencies also sell their own versions bundled into a package.
Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to be a Florida notary?: No. You must be at least 18 and a legal Florida resident able to read and write English; United States citizenship is not required.
What is the Affidavit of Character?: It is a statement on the application signed by an unrelated person who has known you for at least one year, vouching for your character. It is a standard part of the Florida application.
Why can't you apply directly to the state?: Florida does not issue applications or seals itself. You must file through a state-approved bonding agency, which provides the application, bond, fee payment, and seal.
How long does a Florida notary commission last?: Four years. Florida has no automatic renewal, so you must reapply through a bonding agency before your commission expires.

Published June 13, 2026 by the Trámites Notariales US editorial team. Sources: Florida Executive Office of the Governor, Notary Public information; Chapter 117, Florida Statutes; and the Florida Department of State. Confirm current fees and steps with the Florida Department of State before applying.