How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Florida (2026)

Overview

Florida commissions are 4-year terms. Florida’s $50 application fee is among the higher fees nationally, but the fast 1-2 week processing and Florida’s massive RON market make it one of the most active states for national RON platforms. Once authorized, Florida RON notaries can serve signers anywhere in the country – and Florida is consistently one of the highest-volume states on platforms like Notarize.

Florida RON Legal Framework

Florida’s RON requirements under Florida Statutes Chapter 117:

• Active Florida notary commission (4-year term) issued by the Department of State
• Florida residency (for new commissions) or place of employment/business in the state
• Completion of a state-approved RON education course
• RON application submitted online through the Department of State
• $50 RON application fee
• Use of a Department of State-approved RON technology solution
• Two-way real-time audio-visual communication for every remote session
• Identity verification using credential analysis and/or knowledge-based authentication
• Electronic journal entry required per notarial act
• Audio-visual recording retained for 10 years (longest retention requirement nationally)
• Tamper-evident technology required for all electronic documents

Florida’s 10-Year Record Retention: The Longest in the Country

Florida requires audio-visual recordings of remote notarial sessions to be retained for 10 years – the longest mandatory retention period of any state in the country. Most states require 5-7 years or less. What this means operationally:

• Your RON platform must be able to store recordings for 10 years – or you must arrange long-term storage independently
• Before selecting a platform for Florida RON work, verify the platform’s recording storage policy and whether 10-year storage is included or costs extra
• If you change platforms, ensure recordings from the previous platform are preserved for the full 10-year period
• Electronic journal records are also subject to the retention requirement

This 10-year requirement is one of the most important operational considerations when establishing a Florida RON practice. Verify current retention requirements at notaries.dos.state.fl.us.

Florida’s Department of State – Not Secretary of State

Florida administers notary commissions and RON applications through the Department of State – not the Secretary of State’s office. The online application portal is at notaries.dos.state.fl.us. When following national RON guides that reference “Secretary of State,” substitute “Department of State” for Florida. The Governor’s office also plays a role in Florida notary commission issuance – applications go through the Department of State but the commission is issued by the Governor’s office. This dual-path is unique to Florida.

Florida’s $50 RON Application Fee and Fast Processing

Florida charges $50 for the RON application – matching Tennessee as one of the higher fees nationally. However, Florida’s processing time of just 1-2 weeks is among the fastest in the country. Most states take 2-4 weeks. This fast turnaround means Florida RON authorization can be obtained quickly once all prerequisites are met. The $50 fee and 1-2 week window should be factored into startup timelines – plan to submit during a period when you can begin operating within 2 weeks of submission.

Florida’s Low Annual Bond Cost

Florida’s notary commission bond runs approximately $40/year – among the lowest annual bond costs of any state requiring a bond. This low recurring cost makes Florida’s total annual operating expenses competitive despite the higher upfront RON application fee. Florida’s bond is required for the traditional commission and covers RON activities under the same commission.

Florida-Approved RON Technology Solutions

Florida requires use of a Department of State-approved RON technology solution. Florida has one of the most active approved-provider ecosystems in the country due to the state’s RON volume. Platforms approved for Florida include:

• Notarize (Proof) – consistently one of the highest-volume Florida markets nationally
• NotaryLive – scheduling and session management
• DocVerify – enterprise and financial document workflows
• SIGNiX – mortgage and title company integrations
• Pavaso – real estate closing focus, active in Florida’s market
• eNotaryLog – Florida-focused RON platform

Verify the current Florida-approved list at notaries.dos.state.fl.us before applying. Confirm your chosen platform supports 10-year recording storage for Florida compliance.

What Florida RON Notaries Can Notarize

Florida RON covers acknowledgments, oaths and affirmations, jurats, and signature witnessing. Florida’s large market means high volume across all categories:

• Real estate and mortgage documents – Florida’s massive residential and commercial real estate markets (Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale)
• Legal documents – powers of attorney, trusts, affidavits (Florida has a large retiree population with estate planning needs)
• Business documents – corporate documents, LLC formations, financial agreements
• Financial documents – loan signings, refinancing, HELOC documents
• Out-of-state signers – Florida RON notaries can serve signers anywhere nationally

Common Mistakes Florida RON Notaries Make

• Selecting a platform without confirming 10-year recording storage capability
• Not budgeting for the $50 RON application fee
• Using a platform not on Florida’s current Department of State-approved list
• Performing remote sessions before receiving Department of State approval
• Changing platforms without transferring 10 years of recordings from the prior platform

Before You Start

Florida RON requires Department of State approval before any remote session. Complete the state-approved RON education course, confirm your platform supports 10-year recording retention, submit the online application with the $50 fee, and wait for the 1-2 week confirmation. Official reference: Florida Department of State – Notary Public.

FAQ