Remote Online Notarization Laws: Florida and Other States

Reliable Notary Now's notary, Nikola Nichols, is registered with the Florida Department of State as a Remote Online Notary. Here is how Florida's online notarization law works, with the statute for each point, and where to check the rules in other states.

Florida Online Notarization at a Glance

• The law: Part II of Chapter 117, Florida Statutes, in effect since January 1, 2020.
• Where you can be: the Florida online notary must be physically in Florida, but the signer and any witnesses can be anywhere (s. 117.265(1)).
• ID check: the notary confirms who you are by personal knowledge, or by reviewing your ID remotely with credential analysis plus identity proofing, such as knowledge-based authentication questions (s. 117.265(4)).
• Recording: the audio-video session is recorded (s. 117.265(2)), and the notary keeps the electronic journal and the recording for at least 10 years (s. 117.245(4)).
• Fee: Florida caps the fee at $25 for each online notarial act; other services can be charged separately (s. 117.275).
• Who can do it: a Florida notary who has registered with the Department of State as an online notary, completed the required course, carries a $25,000 bond and $25,000 in errors and omissions insurance, and uses a RON service provider for the video, ID and identity-proofing technology (s. 117.225).

Witnesses in Online Signings

• Witnesses can take part by video, with their identity verified the same way as the signer (s. 117.285(1)–(2)).
• For wills, revocable trusts with testamentary aspects, health care advance directives, powers of attorney with banking or investment powers and certain other documents, if fewer than two witnesses are physically with the signer, the signer must answer screening questions during the recorded session (s. 117.285(5)).
• If the signer is a vulnerable adult, witnessing by video does not count for those documents, and the witnesses must be physically present with the signer (s. 117.285(5)).

Using a Florida Online Notarization Somewhere Else

Whether a Florida online notarization will be accepted depends on the office or person receiving the document. Before you book, ask them whether they accept a remote online notarization from a Florida notary. For documents going to another country, see Documents for Use Abroad.

Rules in Other States

Each state sets its own rules for its own notaries, and those rules change often. For another state's requirements, check with that state's Secretary of State or notary commissioning office. The National Association of Secretaries of State has an overview of remote notarization.

Important

Nikola Nichols is a notary public, not an attorney, and can't give legal advice or tell you which notarization your document needs. If you're not sure, please ask an attorney first.