A Florida notary is a public official appointed and commissioned by the governor to confirm the legality of certain transactions and documents. She also administers affirmations and oaths and can preside over a marriage. Becoming a notary starts with filing the appropriate paperwork through the state and taking out a $7,500 insurance bond.

Eligibility

Determine if you qualify to be a notary. Florida notaries must be 18 years old and live in the state; there is no minimum residency period. A notary candidate can prove his residency using a voter registration card, vehicle registration, a driver's license, or a Declaration of Domicile if you are not a U.S. citizen. You can acquire the Declaration at your local clerk of court's office. If have ever been arrested on a felony charge, but adjudication was withheld or the sentence suspended, there are several legal documents you must submit with your application. Write a statement outlining the charges and the circumstances around them; include a copy of the Judgment and the certificate confirming the restoration of your legal rights.

Fill Out the Application

Start by price shopping for a bonding company that will send your application to the Notary Commissions and Certifications Division of the Florida Department of State. The state application fee is $39, but that price doesn't include the bond premium or the notary seal. Most bond companies that offer notary commissions charge a "one-stop-shopping" deal that packages the application, state fees, bond and seal under one umbrella price. Bonding companies are the only way to get an application; the state does not provide an applicatin or a notary seal. Mail your paperwork to the bonding company or submit online. Track your application's status with your file number. Processing the claim and approving the application takes between two and three weeks. The bonding company will mail your notary stamp, log book and commission certificate. It will send extra materials, including an embosser, in a separate mailing.

Extra Requirements

The $7,500 bond covers legal expenses arising from mistakes, negligence, omissions or lawsuits. This insurance is mandatory for all Florida notaries. A new notary is also required to take a three-hour education course through the state about the duties and responsibilities of his post within one year of your application.

Source:

State of Florida: How to Become a Notary

Florida Notary: Florida Notary Questions and Answers