Florida’s 10-Form ID Rule: What We Can and Can’t Accept
- Leo McKay
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Navigating the legal landscape of Central Florida—from the high-tech hubs of Lake Nona to the historic districts of Winter Park—requires precision, especially when it comes to notarizing your most important documents. Whether you are heading to the Orange County Courthouse or meeting a mobile notary at a local café, the first hurdle is always the same: providing valid identification. Under current 2026 regulations, Florida law is very specific about what a notary can and cannot accept to verify your identity.
💡 Key Takeaways
Florida Statute 117.05(5)(b)2 authorizes exactly 10 forms of identification.
Identification must be current or issued within the last five years.
New 2026 protections (HB 915) strictly prohibit non-attorney notaries from using the term 'notario público'.
Orange County Clerk of Courts encourages eRecording for faster document processing.
Understanding Florida Statute 117.05 in 2026
To ensure the integrity of every signature, Florida Statute 117.05 requires "satisfactory evidence" of a signer's identity. For Orlando residents, this means your ID must meet strict statutory criteria. If your ID is expired, it is only acceptable if it was issued within the last five years and contains a serial or identifying number.
The 10 Authorized Forms of ID
If you are preparing for a notary appointment in Orange County, ensure you have one of these ten approved documents:
☑️ Florida Driver License or ID Card: Issued by the FLHSMV.
☑️ U.S. Passport: Issued by the U.S. Department of State.
☑️ Foreign Passport: This is only acceptable if it has been stamped by the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
☑️ Out-of-State Driver License/ID: Includes IDs from any U.S. state, territory, Canada, or Mexico.
☑️ U.S. Military ID: Issued by any branch of the Armed Forces.
☑️ Veteran Health ID Card: A vital, accessible option for our local Orlando veteran community.
☑️ Florida Inmate ID: Issued by the Florida Department of Corrections on or after January 1, 1991.
☑️ Federal Inmate ID: Issued by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
☑️ Law Enforcement Statement: A sworn statement confirming an inmate’s ID was confiscated.
☑️ USCIS Identification: Such as a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
New 2026 Consumer Protections (HB 915)
As of July 1, 2025, and moving into 2026, Florida has implemented strict regulations via Chapter 2025-82 (HB 915) to prevent "notario" fraud. In many countries, a "notario" is a high-ranking legal official, but in Florida, a notary is not an attorney.
Unless they are licensed members of the Florida Bar, notaries are now strictly prohibited from using the term "notario público" or implying they can provide legal advice on immigration. These 2026 regulations allow Orlando residents and veterans to sue for damages and attorney fees if they are misled by such fraudulent advertising.
Recording Your Documents in Orange County
Once your documents are notarized, you may need to file them with the Orange County Clerk of Courts, led by Tiffany Moore Russell. If you are visiting their office at 425 N. Orange Ave., Suite 150, Orlando, FL 32801, keep these 2026 recording fees in mind:
First Page: $10.00
Additional Pages: $8.50 each
Indexing Fee: $1.00 per name for every name over four.
To save time, the Clerk’s office highly encourages eRecording for real estate and legal documents to ensure the fastest processing times possible.
Don't let an expired ID stall your closing. Check our 2026 ID guide to make sure you’re prepared for your notary appointment. Contact us today for professional, reliable Orlando Mobile or Remote Online Notary services.
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