The state of Florida requires notary publics to post a surety bond to be eligible to operate in the state. The bonds protect the public from any financial losses resulting from the notary's negligence or misconduct. They are issued for four-year terms and remain in effect unless canceled by the surety company.
You can apply online for the bond directly through a surety company or agency. After your application is approved, you will receive a surety bond quote with the bond premium. If you accept the quote, you pay the premium and the surety company issues you the bond.
Unlike other types of surety bonds, Florida notary bonds do not require a credit check as part of the underwriting process. As a result, the bonds are often issued instantly upon completing the application.
All Florida notary publics must post a $7,500 surety bond. The surety company issuing the bond determines the percentage of the total bond amount you need to pay as a premium. Premiums for Florida notary public bonds generally cost $30.
To be appointed as a Florida notary public, you must meet the following requirements set forth by the Florida Department of State:
If you meet these requirements, you can receive your notary commission by completing the following steps:
There is a $39 filing fee for applications. After your application is approved, you'll receive your commission certificate and notary seal from your bonding company. For more details on becoming a notary public in Florida, you can visit the Department of State website.
You’ll know if you need a surety bond because some entity will have required you to obtain one. They must also inform you of which specific bond type you’ll need. There are thousands of bonds across the country, all of which vary by state and industry.
Visit EZSuretyBonds.com to browse hundreds of bonds by state, type, or industry.
