Mandatory Change to Notary Block Effective January 1, 2020 (Florida)

Effective January 1, 2020, you can now become a remote online notary public in Florida – you must be a current notary and take a 2 hour class in order to qualify… The class is $20 and the registration with the state is $10.

Even if you don’t become a remote online notary, an important change is required for your regular notary block as outlined below.

Article: New Remote Online Notary Law Brings Notarization Process Into 21st Century in Florida

Information on becoming a Remote Online Notary Public

Article: Changes to Florida Notarization Statutes Effective January 1, 2020 states in part:

In addition to the creation of the remote notarization requirements, changes to Florida Statutes Section 117.05 require revisions to the form of the notary block to be contained on instruments and affidavits, and this change in the form is mandatory (on all forms, not just forms that are electronically notarized). The relevant portion of the statutory acknowledgment of a principal in their individual capacity should read as follows (the bolded section is the new required language):

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me, by means of ☐ physical presence or ☐ online notarization, this ____ day of _______, __(year), by __________ …….

Similarly, for an instrument requiring an oath or affirmation, the relevant portion of the statutory certificate should read as follows (the yellow-highlighted section is the new required language):

Sworn to (or affirmed) and subscribed before me, by means of ☐ physical presence or ☐ online notarization, this ____ day of _______, __(year), by __________ ……