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Becoming a Virtual Notary in Florida: What You Need to Know

Are you considering a rewarding new career as a notary, or do you want to expand your current notary business? Working remotely as a virtual notary is a great option for a flexible source of income. Let’s take a closer look at how to become a virtual notary in Florida.

To be a virtual notary in Florida, you must physically reside in Florida any time you are acting in your role as a notary. However, a virtual notary is not limited to accepting and notarizing documents within their city, county, or even the state of Florida. Notary documents can be presented through the internet from locations all over the country, and remote online notarization can be accomplished through you.

This comprehensive guide will help you learn more about the process of becoming a virtual notary in Florida, what you are allowed to do, and what to expect.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Virtual Notary in Florida?

The process of becoming a notary is fairly simple and not too time-consuming. Depending on where you’re starting your journey, it can take a couple of days to complete the required training and about six weeks for your official certification to be processed.

It takes around four weeks to become a traditional notary. If you’re already a notary, then the process of becoming a virtual notary in Florida will be fairly quick.

How to Become a Virtual Notary in Florida in 5 Steps

While becoming a virtual notary in Florida is not complicated, there are a few steps you’ll need to complete and fees you’ll need to pay in order to get certified.

1. Meet Traditional Notary Requirements

In order to become a virtual notary in Florida, you must complete all the requirements to become a traditional notary first. If you’re a notary with an active commission, then you already meet this requirement.

To become a notary, you must be at least 18 years old and a Florida resident with no felonies on your criminal record. Florida law also requires a three-hour training course.

Learn more about the process of becoming a traditional notary.

2. Complete a Virtual Notary Course

Next, you’ll need to complete a two-hour training course that covers how to perform remote online notarization, including technology requirements. You can take this course in person or online. Once you’ve finished the course, make sure to obtain a certificate of completion so you can attach it to your application.

3. Get a Notary Surety Bond

Florida law requires remote online notary applicants to purchase a $25,000 notary surety bond. A traditional notary only needs a $7,500 bond. The bond for virtual notaries is higher.

4. Get Insurance

In addition to a surety bond, a $25,000 minimum Errors and Omissions insurance policy is required for virtual notaries in Florida. This will usually only cost you around $60 for four years.

5. Submit Your Application

Send in your application to the Florida Department of State, along with the $10 registration fee.

To simplify the process, you can obtain a registration packet that includes a registration form, a list of providers, and a link to an education course from the Florida Notary Association. You’ll also receive information about the required bond and insurance.

What Can a Remote Online Notary Do?

One of the most common services of a virtual notary is notarizing loan documents for home sales. However, a virtual notary service in Florida is authorized to perform a variety of notarial acts remotely or in person. This includes the following:

  • Administering oaths and affirmations
  • Taking acknowledgments
  • Executing jurats, which are verifications confirming the truthfulness of documents
  • Verifying the authenticity of signatures on wills, car titles, real estate deeds, and other documents that require notarization
  • Notarizing documents from other states or countries
  • Notarizing foreign documents (as long as the client understands the document)
  • Acting as both witness and notary for the same document

How Much Can a Remote Notary in Florida Make?

There are a lot of factors that go into determining individual wages for a virtual notary in Florida. In general, you’re paid a set fee for each notary act you perform. In Florida, this can be anywhere from $5 to $25 per notarization. It all depends on how your business operates and how many clients you get—but you do have to follow state laws around maximum notary fees.

The latest data shows the average notary in Miami earns about $29 an hour or $59,000 per year.

Top 4 Benefits of Remote Notarization

Many people are taking advantage of the diverse benefits of remote notarization. Here are some reasons why notaries and clients prefer it over traditional in-person services.

1. It’s Convenient

Documents can get notarized without anyone leaving their homes. This is especially helpful when there are weather, health, or transportation issues.

2. It’s Quick and Easy

If you’re technologically savvy, the process is fairly easy. You can have documents notarized in under 10 minutes.

3. It’s Secure

All remote notarizations are recorded. If there’s ever a dispute, you can just refer to the recording. This makes remote notarization more secure than one done in person.

4. It Can Grow Your Business

As a virtual notary, being able to perform remote notarizations increases your business opportunities. You can reduce downtime, add clients, and make more money.

What Are the Downsides of Being a Notary?

While you can get work from all around the world as a virtual notary, your certification is through the state of Florida. This means you must be physically present in the state to perform your notary duties. You can’t work in any other state or country.

There are also fees, bonds and insurance costs, software, and tools and materials you will need in order to perform your duties as a remote online notary.

Be sure you can fulfill these requirements and understand all the rules about what a virtual notary in Florida can and can’t do before deciding if it’s the right path for you.

What States Allow Remote Notarization?

Currently, 46 states allow remote notarization, with Florida being one of them. The others are:

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

California and the District of Columbia have also passed laws allowing for remote notarization in the future.

What Technology Is Needed for Remote Notarization?

Virtual notaries in Florida will need a computer, microphone, webcam, and secure internet connection. The computer must also be able to support two-way audio and visual communication. 

Each state is different when it comes to the required technology for remote notarization. While Florida has no specific technical requirements, you cannot use apps such as FaceTime or Skype. 

As a virtual notary in Florida, it’s up to you to choose the provider that fits your needs and offers the services you desire. You can sign up with one or more of these companies to get the necessary technology to perform remote notarizations. Florida allows you to use multiple providers as long as you inform the Department of State of your chosen vendors and alert the agency to any changes.

Your options for remote notarization systems include:

  • eNotaryLog
  • NotaryCam
  • Notarize
  • Safedocs
  • OnlineNotary.us
  • NotaryLive
  • Pavaso
  • SIGNiX
  • NotaryHub

These service providers simplify the remote notarization process by offering technology and support for online notarizations. They also provide other services, such as:

  • Providing applications that facilitate the signing
  • Performing identity proofing and credential analysis
  • Providing a secure audio-video platform
  • Storing the audio-video recording and digital documents
  • Collecting payment from the customer

Other Requirements

Besides the necessary technology, a virtual notary in Florida requires other supplies to do the job. You’ll need an electronic journal, an electronic seal, and a digital certificate with your electronic signature. These digital materials may be included when you choose one of the providers listed above.

Additionally, membership with the Florida Notary Association is not required, but it’s good to have. It comes with many features to help you make your job easier. Membership includes newsletters, downloadable tools, members-only discounts, a lapel pin, and even free stamps and manuals.

How to Legally Notarize Documents Online

If you plan to become a virtual notary, you must follow the proper procedures. The customer and notary do not have to appear together in person, but they must meet in real time using audio-video technology. They need to follow all the same rules as they would if they were notarizing the documents in person.

The steps to legally notarize documents online are as follows:

  • Documents are uploaded to the remote online notarization provider.
  • The virtual notary is notified that documents are ready.
  • The customer logs onto a platform that requires them to pass a knowledge-based questionnaire.
  • The customer has their credential documents analyzed for fraud.
  • The customer meets with the notary on camera once their identity has been verified.
  • The notary gets proof of identity from the customer.
  • The customer signs the required places on the document, confirming that they know what they are signing.
  • The notary checks the documents.

Once it has been confirmed that the documents have been properly filled out and signed, the notary attaches an electronic seal and a digital certificate that includes their electronic signature. 

The notary completes their electronic journal and saves a recording of the transaction.

Is Remote Notarization the Same as Electronic Notarization?

The terms “remote notarization” and “electronic notarization” might be used interchangeably, but they’re different. Electronic notarization means that the document is signed and notarized electronically. However, the customer and notary still have to appear before each other in person.

On the other hand, remote notarization is when the entire transaction is performed online through audio-video technology. Neither party is required to appear in person.

Contact Us Today

Becoming a notary is a job opportunity that allows for flexibility and growth. You can be your own boss! The Florida Notary Association can help you become a virtual notary in Florida. Just take the required course(s) and become an official online notary.

Getting started is quick and easy. Contact the Florida Notary Association today to learn more about the process!

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