Florida Remote Online Notarization – Everything You Need To Know!

Remote Online Notary, also known as RON, is a service which is 100% virtual. From the online signatures to remote online notarization via webcam and microphone, there is no paper involvement whatsoever in the process. However, an individual has to be certified and trained in performing these public Florida notaries for the process to be considered legitimate. For this reason, RONs are a completely safe and scam-free procedure, which means that you are in good hands!

An announcement on January 1st, 2020, allowed Florida online notaries to opt for remote online notarizations by getting themselves registered.

As of now, this law is applicable in Florida. To get registered, there are a few steps that need to be taken. They include:

Lastly, once the steps above are complete, you will be required to mail the completed registration form to the Florida Department of State. This will incur a $10 fee and requires proof of your RON training, the bond and E&O policy undertaken, as well as the RON provider you have chosen.

Along with the requirements mentioned earlier, the individual must not be younger than 18 years of age. They must also not be involved in any fraudulent activities and must be legal residents of Florida to qualify for a Notarial act. 

To pass, you must complete a Florida remote online notary training course and pass an exam which is usually two hours long. The course is very comprehensive and caters to covering all different subjects relating to a remote online notary service and technological requirements. 

In regards to the cost of the training program, the typical range is between $20 to $170. 

However, this will, of course, be dependent on the provider that you choose. For any questions or issues that may arise during your training, seek guidance from the online notary program offered by the National Notary Association for all legal citizens.

The exam is not meant to be difficult, however, it is meant to make you an expert. Practice, speak to those who have passed the exam in the past, and study hard. If you have practiced well enough, and the education service provider you have chosen is reputable, you are in good hands to ace the exam!

The advantage of the Florida Remote Online Notarization is that there is no additional investment needed. All that virtual notaries demand in Florida is a working computer or laptop, a webcam (it is great if it is already attached to the desktop), a microphone, and a secure internet connection. Visual and audio communication is also mandatory in performing a Florida notary service.

In addition to the above, no law in Florida restricts you from contracting with more than one RON technology provider. But, you do have to make sure to keep the Department of State in the loop of your selected vendors to avoid any complications later on.

Finally, do not forget to have an electronic seal, journal, and a digital certification with your electronic signature. 

An Errors and Omissions Insurance Policy is vital, and the standard amount is $25,000. If you already have an insurance policy, then the best course of action is to get in touch with the insurer and inquire whether you can increase your coverage. This will help you in meeting the Florida Remote Online Notarization requirements with ease, and you will also know whether your insurance policy already covers these kinds of commissions or not.

All remote online notaries in Florida are to have a $25,000 surety bond. If, for instance, the existing Notary bond that you already have meets those requirements, then you should rejoice in knowing that there are no additional purchases required.

If you want to become an online Florida notary and have surety bonds less than $25,000, you need to increase the bond to complete your remote notary application.

If we compare the traditional notarization mechanisms with the online one, then yes, it is very valuable. You don't need to meet a notary in person which saves traveling time and costs. Currently, with the COVID-19 pandemic, this is safer as well. 

This also decreases your own personal time investment. Moreover, with the assistance of the RON company, you will be able to receive and complete the request for notarization immediately, after which you are free to do as you please.

The entire procedure is straightforward. Here is how the process works in seven simple steps:

Note: The Florida Remote Online Notarization needs the physical presence of both parties in the State at the time the Notarial Act is being executed.

Additionally, as per recent announcements, remote Notaries will no longer be held accountable for keeping audio-visual records. Rather, the responsibility will lay with your RON provider.

The Florida Remote Online Notarization allows the following acts to be conducted virtually:

The Florida Remote Online Notarization usually takes up to six weeks to confirm your registration.  

Another thing to note here is that the Notary commission online and your traditional Notary commission run concurrently. This means that both of them will expire on the same day. However, you can quickly get them renewed by re-applying.

Once you become an online notary, you will see a massive rise in your business. You won't only have the option of notarizing for residents in Florida, but for residents all over the country! You will be able to do it all as long as you are physically located in the state while conducting the notarization process.