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A Florida Notary Public is a state-appointed official who acts as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents.
Their main roles are to verify the identity of the person signing the document, ensure the person is signing willingly and understands what they are signing, and complete an official certificate attached to the document, signing and sealing it. Notarization helps prevent fraud and confirms the authenticity of the signature. It does not automatically make a document legally correct or guarantee the truthfulness of its contents (unless an oath/affirmation was administered).
Notarization is often required for documents dealing with significant legal rights or financial transactions (like real estate deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney, wills, contracts) to provide an extra layer of security and fraud prevention.
The notary acts as an unbiased state official verifying the signer's identity and voluntary signature. This gives the document more credibility and helps ensure it will be accepted by courts, government agencies, or other parties. Requirements for notarization are usually set by state law or by the policies of the institution receiving the document (like a bank or title company). Failing to get a required notarization can make a document invalid or unenforceable
You must present valid identification to the notary so they can verify you are the person named in the document. In Florida, acceptable ID includes:
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A current Florida Driver License or Florida ID Card (or one issued within the last 5 years).
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A current U.S. Passport (or one issued within the last 5 years).
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A current Driver License or ID card from another U.S. state/territory, Canada, or Mexico (or one issued within the last 5 years).
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A current U.S. Military ID.
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A current Foreign Passport stamped by U.S. immigration (USCIS).
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A current Veteran Health ID card issued by the VA.
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Certain inmate ID cards or USCIS-issued ID cards.
The ID must have a serial number, a photograph, and ideally a signature and physical description. Expired IDs are generally not acceptable unless they meet the "issued within 5 years" rule. Social Security cards, credit cards, or birth certificates are NOT acceptable forms of ID for notarization. Your name on the ID must reasonably match the name on the document.
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If you do not have any of the acceptable forms of ID, Florida law provides alternatives using "credible witnesses".
Option 1: One credible witness who personally knows both you (the signer) and the notary public. This witness must swear under oath to your identity and sign an affidavit1.
Option 2: Two credible witnesses who personally know you (the signer) but are not known by the notary. Both witnesses must present their own valid ID to the notary, swear under oath to your identity, and sign affidavits1.
Credible witnesses must be disinterested parties (not benefiting from the document) and must swear that they believe you cannot obtain other ID. You would need to arrange for these witnesses to be present at the notarization appointment.
Florida notaries can generally notarize signatures on a wide variety of documents, including affidavits, contracts, deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney, wills (self-proving affidavits), vehicle title applications, parental consent forms, etc. They can also perform specific acts like administering oaths, attesting to copies of certain documents (like your driver's license or diploma, but NOT vital records), verifying VINs, and solemnizing marriages.
However, Florida notaries cannot notarize:
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Documents where the notary has a financial interest.
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Documents where the signer is not physically present.
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Incomplete or blank documents.
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Copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) or most public records (court documents, recorded deeds). You must get certified copies of these from the official agency.
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Photographs or recordings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about notary services? Explore our FAQs to find clear answers to common inquiries about notarization processes. Still have questions? Give us a call!
(407) 391-5901