Not a government website. We are a private company, not affiliated with any Secretary of State, notary commissioning office or contractor licensing board. Renewal applications are filed directly with your state.
Renew notary Florida: in short
Florida never renews a commission automatically: the law says the application process must be completed each time.[4] In practice almost everyone renews through a bonding agency, which supplies the application, writes the bond, pays the state fees and sells the seal in one order.[1]
The 3-hour course is for first-time applicants only; the Governor's notary page tells renewing notaries to go straight to the next step.[1][6] There is no window in the law, but the Department of State suggests sending a renewal about six months ahead, since the commission must be issued before the old one runs out.[3]
Florida rules side by side with other states: how to renew a notary commission. Other states: New York notary renewal, Texas notary renewal, Illinois notary renewal, California notary renewal, Colorado notary renewal, North Carolina notary renewal, New Jersey notary renewal, Georgia notary renewal, Pennsylvania notary renewal.
Florida notary renewal requirements
This table is what Florida Department of State and Fla. Stat. §§117.01, 117.05, 668.50(11)(b) say, read on 2026-11-15. Where they say nothing, the row says so instead of guessing.
| Commission term | 4 years.[4] (Fla. Stat. §117.01(1)) |
|---|---|
| Earliest day to apply | The law sets no earliest day. The Department of State suggests sending a renewal application about 6 months before the current commission expires.[3] |
| State fee | $39 in state fees ($25 application, $10 commission, $4 surcharge), usually paid for you by the bonding agency; the bond premium and the seal are priced by the agency.[1][4] (Fla. Stat. §117.01(2)) |
| Bond | A $7,500 surety bond for the whole term, filed with the Department of State; it goes in with the application through a bonding agency the state lists.[4][1] (Fla. Stat. §117.01(7)(a)) |
| Course to renew | Not required to renew: the Governor's notary page tells renewing notaries to skip the course step.[1][6] (Fla. Stat. §668.50(11)(b)) |
| Exam to renew | Check with the Florida Department of State notary section. |
| Fingerprints or background check | No fingerprinting step is listed. The application asks about felonies; anyone with a felony record sends court papers and proof that civil rights were restored.[1] |
| Oath | The oath of office (including a statement that you have read Chapter 117) and the bond go in together with the application.[4] (Fla. Stat. §117.01) |
| Seal or stamp | A rubber stamp seal in black ink with "Notary Public-State of Florida", your name, expiration date and commission number. A renewal brings a new seal: use it only from the first day of the new commission and destroy the old one.[1][5] (Fla. Stat. §117.05(3)(a)) |
| Journal | Not required for paper notarizations, though the Governor's manual recommends one.[3] |
| Errors and omissions insurance | No. Errors and omissions insurance is optional.[1] |
Florida notary renewal fees and the new seal
State fees are fixed at $39: a $25 application fee, $10 for the commission and a $4 surcharge.[4][1] The bond premium and the seal are priced by each agency.[1] Your renewal comes with a new seal: you may not use it before the first day of the new commission, and you destroy the old one after that.[1] Florida does not require a journal for paper notarizations or errors and omissions insurance.[3][1]
How to renew a Florida notary commission, step by step
Florida renewal is 5 steps, in this order.[1][3][4]
- Skip the course: it is required only of first-time applicants.
- Choose a bonding agency on the state's list.
- Fill out a complete new application with the oath and a $7,500 bond; the agency pays the $39 state fees.
- Send it through the agency about 6 months before expiration.
- When the new commission arrives, start using the new seal on its first day and destroy the old one.
You apply to Florida Department of State yourself: Florida notary page. The state decides the application and its timing.
If your Florida commission already expired
There is no grace period, and notarizing after expiration is a crime. No one is reappointed automatically: the full application is filed each time. The sources we read do not say whether a lapsed notary counts as a first-time applicant who must take the 3-hour course again.[4][5]
After a lapse: course check with the Florida Department of State notary section; exam check with the Florida Department of State notary section.
Name or address change during your commission
Address, phone or criminal record change: tell the Department of State in writing within 60 days. Name change: ask for an amended commission within 60 days ($25, a bond rider and form DS-DE 77A).[4][5] (Fla. Stat. §§117.01(2), 117.05(9))
Electronic and remote online notarization: Remote online notaries register separately with the Department of State; the registration runs with the notary commission.[1]
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to take a course to renew my Florida notary?
How much does it cost to renew a notary in Florida?
When should I renew my Florida notary commission?
The Department of State suggests about six months before the current commission expires.[3]