Short answer
Yes. A Florida online notary must be physically in Florida, but you can be anywhere. You confirm that you want a Florida notary and Florida law to apply, verify your identity, and sign during a recorded video session. The fee is capped at $25 per online act.
How it works
Florida has allowed remote online notarization since 2020, under Chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes. The rule that matters most for people who travel: the notary must be physically located in Florida, but the signer does not have to be. If you are not in Florida, the notary confirms that you want a Florida notary and Florida law to govern the notarization before starting.
The session happens over secure audio and video. You sign electronically while the notary watches, and you receive the notarized document as a PDF.
How your identity is verified
Unless the notary knows you personally, Florida requires all three of these steps:
- Show your ID on camera: a current government-issued photo ID
- Credential analysis: the platform checks that the ID is authentic
- Identity proofing: usually a short set of questions drawn from public records about you
If any step fails, the notary cannot continue. The whole session is recorded, and the notary must keep the recording and an electronic journal for at least 10 years.
Who uses it most in our area
- Seasonal residents who need to sign renovation or real estate documents while they are up north
- Owners with a project in progress, such as a Notice of Commencement or a permit owner's affidavit for a remodel in Lakewood Ranch or Sarasota
- Families and busy professionals signing affidavits, consent letters and authorizations from home
Documents that need extra care
Some documents have extra rules when witnesses join remotely, including wills, certain trusts, health care advance directives and certain powers of attorney. For these, Florida requires screening questions, and remote witnessing is not valid for a signer who is a vulnerable adult. Remote witnesses must also be located in the United States. If you are signing one of these documents, talk to your attorney first about how it should be signed.
It is also worth asking the agency, county or company that will receive your document whether they accept electronic notarizations. Most do, but some have their own rules.
What it costs
Florida caps the fee at $25 per online notarial act (section 117.275). We confirm the total before your session, so there are no surprises.
What you need
- A computer or phone with camera, microphone and a stable connection
- Your current government-issued photo ID
- The complete document as a PDF, unsigned
- About 15 minutes
Quick questions
Do I need to be in Florida to use a Florida online notary?
No. The online notary must be physically in Florida, but the signer can be elsewhere after confirming they want a Florida notary and Florida law to apply.
How much does online notarization cost in Florida?
Florida law caps the fee at $25 per online notarial act.
This article is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your situation, talk to a Florida attorney. I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND I MAY NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE OR ACCEPT FEES FOR LEGAL ADVICE.