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Florida law requires the signer to present a current government-issued photo ID—such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Florida also allows expired IDs issued within the past five years, provided they were validly issued by a U.S. federal or state agency. (Florida Statutes §117.05(5)(b))

Yes, Florida notaries can notarize a document that was previously signed only if the notarial act is an acknowledgment. The signer must personally appear—either in person or through approved Remote Online Notarization (RON)—and clearly acknowledge that the signature is theirs. Florida law does not allow this for jurats, which require the document to be signed in the notary's presence.

Florida law requires every notarization to include a proper notarial certificate. If the document doesn’t have one, the signer must tell the notary whether they want an acknowledgment or a jurat, and the notary must attach the correct certificate form. Notaries cannot decide which one to use. (Florida Statutes §117.05(13))

Yes. A Florida notary can notarize any document, no matter where it originates, as long as the signer is physically present in Florida (or appears via RON), and the notarization follows Florida laws. The notary uses a Florida notarial certificate and their Florida commission.

No. Florida law requires that the signer present the actual, original ID at the time of notarization. A photocopy, screenshot, or digital image of an ID is not acceptable. Some limited exceptions apply only in approved Remote Online Notarization sessions. (Florida Statutes §117.05(5)(b))

Yes, Remote Online Notarization is legal in Florida. It allows signers to meet with a notary over a secure audio-video platform. The notary must be RON-certified and use approved software. Both identity verification and a video recording of the session are required. (Florida Statutes Chapter 117, Part II)

Yes. A Florida notary is required to refuse a notarization if:

• The signer does not appear in person (or via RON),

• The signer lacks valid ID and no credible witness is available,

• The document is incomplete, or

• The notary doesn’t understand the language of the document or certificate. (Florida Statutes §117.107)