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.