Notary Services and the Notary Statement in Florida Explained

A notary statement is one of the integral parts of a notarized document. Understanding a notary statement in Florida is the first step toward understanding a Florida notary’s job. We’ll answer all your questions and show you the ropes of finding a notary and notarizing documents with ease.

A Breakdown of Notarization

Before you learn about notary statements, you should get an idea of what notarization entails. The process of notarization requires a notary to:

1. Check the signer’s ID and ask several questions to verify their identity
2. Make sure the signer is not forced to enter into an agreement
3. Establish everyone involved is of sound mind and that there are no signs of fraud
4. Witness the signing
5. Provide a notarial statement
6. Sign and stamp the document

What Are Florida Notary Statements?

Notary statements validate a document’s authenticity. They prove that a notary has verified a person’s signature on a document.

The most common notary statement forms are:

• Oaths—a confirmation that the contents of a document are truthful
• Affidavits—a voluntary declaration of the written facts
• Certificates (e.g., jurats or acknowledgments)—a statement attesting a document’s authenticity

What Is a Florida Notary Acknowledgment?

A notary acknowledgment is a written statement verifying that the signers entered into an agreement willingly and that they understood it. Since 2020, notaries in Florida have to use a different certificate wording for acknowledgments. They have to include a statement saying whether they notarized a document in person or remotely.

Florida Notaries Public

The main purpose of notaries is to notarize documents. Notaries public in Florida can also take on other tasks, including:

1. Taking acknowledgments
2. Attesting to document copies
3. Administering oaths and affirmations
4. Performing wedding ceremonies
5. Verifying the contents of safe deposit boxes
6. Certifying vehicle identification numbers (VINs)

Regardless of which notarial act a notary is performing, they should always add their signature and seal.

How Much Do Florida Notaries Charge?

While Florida notaries can choose how much to charge for their notary services, the state of Florida imposes a fee cap. Check out the notary costs in the table below:

A notary is allowed to charge extra for travel costs—especially if they are mobile notaries—but these costs are not considered notary fees. If a notary overcharges a client, they may face suspension.

Can FL Notaries Refuse To Provide Notary Services?

A notary’s responsibility is to notarize a document, but in certain circumstances, they can and should refuse to perform a notarial act. In this case, a notary should explain why they cannot notarize a client’s document.

A notary may reject notarization if the:

• Signer is not present
• Signer is a minor
• Document is incomplete or has blank sections
• Signer is intoxicated or mentally incapacitated
• Signer doesn’t have a valid ID or other acceptable identification
• Document does not include a notary certificate or other type of statement
• Notary notices signs of fraud or coercion
• Signer refuses to pay the notary fees
• Document is written in a foreign language unknown to the notary
• Notary has a financial interest, or they’re part of a transaction stipulated in the document

How To Notarize a Document in Florida

Before you search for a notary, you should know what types of notaries there are. While all types can notarize your document, how they do it differs. A notary can be a:

1. Regular in-person notary
2. Mobile notary—visiting their clients to perform a notarization
3. Online notary—notarizing documents remotely

Another type includes notary signing agents, which are certified notary publics, but they typically only deal with loans and loan documents.

Where To Find a Notary in Florida

The most convenient method of searching for notaries on your own is by using websites, such as 123Notary, Notary Public Stamps, American Society of Notaries, or Florida Department of State. You can also check whether certain facilities offer notary services in your area, including:

• Credit unions
• Wells Fargo
• Bank of America
• United Parcel Service (UPS)
• Money transfer stores
• Tax preparation firms
• Accountant offices
• Law offices
• Insurance agents
• Police departments
• Office supply stores
• Courthouses
• Public libraries
• Real estate agents

Florida notary search doesn’t have to be this tedious. You can rely on DoNotPay, and we’ll match you with a notary within minutes!

DoNotPay—Online Notarization at Its Finest

Thanks to our AI-powered app, notarization has never been easier. Not only will you be able to get a document notarized online, but we’ll also find a Florida notary for you in a flash.

All you have to do is open DoNotPay in your web browser and follow these instructions:

1. Select our Notarize Any Document feature
2. Upload a document ready for notarization
3. Enter your email address
4. Follow the link you receive via email

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