Florida Notary Journal Law
Florida's notary statutes are found in Chapter 117, Florida Statutes. Unlike California — which requires a journal for all notarial acts — Florida imposes no journal requirement for traditional in-person notarizations on paper documents. The Notary Public Act, §117.01–117.108, Fla. Stat., sets out the duties of Florida notaries without including a general journal mandate.
Despite the absence of a legal requirement, the Florida Department of State's Division of Corporations (which oversees Florida notaries) recommends that notaries maintain a record of their notarial acts. Florida notary attorneys and professional organizations uniformly recommend a journal as risk management practice.
Why Florida Signing Agents Should Keep a Journal Anyway
The absence of a legal requirement does not mean a journal is unimportant. Florida has a significant real estate market and a high volume of loan signings. Florida signing agents who do not maintain journals face real risk:
- No contemporaneous record if a fraud claim surfaces months after a signing
- No documentation to support your account if a signer later claims they didn't sign a document
- Most Florida signing services and title companies expect agents on their approved lists to maintain a journal, even though the state doesn't require it
- E&O insurance claims are substantially easier to defend with a journal record
Florida RON Journal Requirements (Mandatory)
Florida became one of the early RON states when Governor DeSantis signed HB 409 in 2019 (effective January 1, 2020). For Remote Online Notarizations, Florida law requires:
- A sequential electronic journal of all RON acts
- An audio-visual recording of each RON session
- Journal and recordings retained for a minimum of 10 years
- The notary must use a state-authorized RON platform
- The platform must be registered with the Florida Department of State
See our Florida RON requirements guide for complete platform and procedure details.
Florida Acceptable Identification
Florida §117.05(5)(b) specifies acceptable identification for notarization. Florida accepts:
- Florida driver's license or ID card
- Driver's license or ID card of any U.S. state or territory
- U.S. passport or passport card
- U.S. military ID
- Foreign passport — if stamped by U.S. Customs and Immigration or with a current U.S. visa
- Permanent resident card (Green Card)
Florida also allows a credible witness alternative under §117.05(5)(c) when the signer is personally known to the notary.
Florida Notary Commission Quick Facts
| Element | Florida Requirement |
|---|---|
| Governing authority | FL Dept. of State, Division of Corporations |
| Commission term | 4 years |
| Bond required | $7,500 surety bond |
| Exam required | 3-hour education course (mandatory) |
| Journal required (paper) | No — recommended only |
| Journal required (RON) | Yes — 10-year retention |
| Foreign passports | Accepted with U.S. visa or customs stamp |
Frequently Asked Questions
For traditional paper notarizations, Florida has no journal requirement at all, so any format you choose is up to you. Many Florida signing agents use a bound paper journal for familiarity and because it creates a more credible record in disputes. For RON, your authorized platform generates the required electronic journal automatically. A standalone journal app is not required and may not meet the technical specifications for RON records even if it claims to.
Florida does not require a separate seal log. However, if your seal is lost or stolen, you are required to notify the Department of State in writing and obtain a replacement. Keeping a record of your seal specifications (manufacturer, die dimensions, impression sample) is recommended so you can quickly order a replacement that meets Florida's specs if needed.
Florida law does not prohibit notarizing documents for family members, but it prohibits notarizing any document in which the notary has a financial or beneficial interest. If a family member transaction would benefit you financially, you cannot notarize it. Professional guidance is to avoid notarizing for immediate family regardless — the appearance of impartiality matters as much as the legal rule.