Florida Notary Public Certification Exam Updated
2026 | 250+ Practice Questions & Verified Answers
| Complete Florida Notary Study Guide, State
Notary Exam Prep, Notarial Acts, Florida Notary
Laws, Acknowledgments, Jurats, Oaths &
Affirmations, Remote Online Notarization (RON),
Ethics, Recordkeeping, Fraud Prevention, Detailed
Rationales
Question 1: According to Florida Statute 117.01, who is the primary appointing
authority for notaries public in the state of Florida?
A. The County Clerk of Court
B. The Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court
C. The Governor of Florida
D. The Secretary of State
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The Governor of Florida
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.01 explicitly states that the Governor is the appointing
authority for notaries public in Florida. All commissions are issued under the Governor's
signature and the Great Seal of the State of Florida.
Question 2: A Florida notary public who changes their legal name must report
this change to the Governor's office within what timeframe?
A. 10 business days
B. 30 days
C. 60 days
D. 90 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 30 days
Rationale: According to Florida law, a notary must report a name change to the
Governor's office within 30 days. Failure to do so can result in administrative action,
including potential suspension or revocation of the commission.
Question 3: What is the maximum application fee a Florida notary public is
permitted to charge for notarial services?
A. $5.00
B. $10.00
C. $15.00
D. $20.00
CORRECT ANSWER: B. $10.00
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.045 sets the maximum fee for a notarial act at $10.00.
This is a statutory cap; the notary may charge less but cannot exceed this amount for a
standard notarization.
,Question 4: Which of the following acts does NOT require the principal to be
physically present before the notary in Florida?
A. Taking an acknowledgment
B. Witnessing a signature
C. Administering an oath
D. Remote online notarization via audio-video communication
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Remote online notarization via audio-video
communication
Rationale: Florida permits remote online notarization (RON) under specific statutes.
During RON, the principal appears before the notary via real-time, two-way audio-video
communication, not physical presence. All other listed acts require physical presence.
Question 5: A Florida notary is authorized to notarize a document that is
written in a foreign language. What is the primary requirement?
A. The notary must be fluent in that language
B. The document must be translated into English by a certified translator
C. The notary must indicate that they do not read or understand the language
D. The foreign language document cannot be notarized in Florida
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The notary must indicate that they do not read or
understand the language
Rationale: Florida law does not prohibit notarizing documents in a foreign language.
However, if the notary cannot read or understand the document, they must state that
fact in the notarial certificate. They are not attesting to the content, only the identity and
signature.
Question 6: What is the legal duration of a Florida notary commission?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 4 years
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.01 provides that a notary commission is valid for a term
of four years, unless revoked or suspended earlier by the Governor. Renewal requires re-
application and payment of the applicable fees.
Question 7: A notary may notarize a signature for a family member if:
A. The family member is a spouse
B. The family member is a child
C. The family member is a parent
D. None of the above; a notary must never notarize for a family member
,CORRECT ANSWER: D. None of the above; a notary must never notarize for a
family member
Rationale: Florida law does not explicitly prohibit notarizing for a family member in all
circumstances, but it is strictly prohibited if the notary stands to derive a direct financial
benefit from the transaction. The safest practice is to avoid notarizing for immediate
family members to prevent conflicts of interest, though the absolute prohibition applies
when there is a financial interest.
Question 8: Which of the following is an acceptable form of identification for a
principal who is a non-resident of the United States?
A. A valid foreign passport
B. A foreign driver's license without an English translation
C. A social security card
D. A voter registration card from their home country
CORRECT ANSWER: A. A valid foreign passport
Rationale: Florida law allows for identification based on a valid passport issued by a
foreign government if it is current and contains a photograph and signature of the
principal. Other forms of ID may be accepted if they are "satisfactory evidence," but a
foreign passport is a primary standard.
Question 9: According to Florida law, what is the primary duty of a notary
public regarding a credible witness?
A. To determine if the credible witness knows the principal
B. To administer an oath to the credible witness
C. To record the credible witness's address and signature in the notary journal
D. All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D. All of the above
Rationale: When using a credible witness, the notary must identify the witness,
administer an oath to them, record their information in the journal, and ensure the
witness swears to knowing the principal. All listed actions are part of the process.
Question 10: The official seal of a Florida notary must include which of the
following elements?
A. The notary's name, the state of Florida, and the commission expiration date
B. The notary's name and the words "Notary Public-State of Florida"
C. The notary's name, the words "Notary Public," and the county of commission
D. The notary's name, the commission number, and the date of commission
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The notary's name and the words "Notary Public-State
of Florida"
, Rationale: Florida Statute 117.05(1) requires the seal to include the notary's name
exactly as commissioned and the words "Notary Public-State of Florida." The seal may
be a rubber stamp, embosser, or electronic seal.
Question 11: A notary who is also an attorney may notarize a document for a
client in which of the following situations?
A. The client is paying the attorney for the notarization
B. The client is signing a will that names the attorney as the executor
C. The client is signing a power of attorney granting the attorney authority
D. None of the above; an attorney cannot notarize for any client
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The client is signing a will that names the attorney as
the executor
Rationale: An attorney may notarize for a client, but not if they are a party to the
document or stand to receive a direct financial benefit. If the attorney is named as
executor, they have a financial interest and therefore cannot notarize that document.
Question 12: When administering an oral oath, what is the required form of
the oath?
A. "Do you swear that the contents of this affidavit are true?"
B. "Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
C. There is no specific wording required; it must merely be an affirmation of truthfulness
D. The oath must be in writing and signed by the affiant
CORRECT ANSWER: C. There is no specific wording required; it must merely
be an affirmation of truthfulness
Rationale: Florida law does not prescribe specific words for an oath. The notary must
only ascertain that the affiant is swearing or affirming under penalty of perjury. The
actual wording can be adapted as long as it communicates that intent.
Question 13: A Florida notary must maintain a notary journal. Which of the
following is NOT a required entry?
A. The date and time of the notarial act
B. The type of identification presented
C. The fee charged for the notarial act
D. The type of document notarized
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The fee charged for the notarial act
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.05(3) does not require the notary to record the fee
charged. The required entries include the date, type of notarial act, signature of
principal, type of ID, and the document type.
Question 14: If a notary's commission expires, their notary seal and journal
must be:
2026 | 250+ Practice Questions & Verified Answers
| Complete Florida Notary Study Guide, State
Notary Exam Prep, Notarial Acts, Florida Notary
Laws, Acknowledgments, Jurats, Oaths &
Affirmations, Remote Online Notarization (RON),
Ethics, Recordkeeping, Fraud Prevention, Detailed
Rationales
Question 1: According to Florida Statute 117.01, who is the primary appointing
authority for notaries public in the state of Florida?
A. The County Clerk of Court
B. The Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court
C. The Governor of Florida
D. The Secretary of State
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The Governor of Florida
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.01 explicitly states that the Governor is the appointing
authority for notaries public in Florida. All commissions are issued under the Governor's
signature and the Great Seal of the State of Florida.
Question 2: A Florida notary public who changes their legal name must report
this change to the Governor's office within what timeframe?
A. 10 business days
B. 30 days
C. 60 days
D. 90 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 30 days
Rationale: According to Florida law, a notary must report a name change to the
Governor's office within 30 days. Failure to do so can result in administrative action,
including potential suspension or revocation of the commission.
Question 3: What is the maximum application fee a Florida notary public is
permitted to charge for notarial services?
A. $5.00
B. $10.00
C. $15.00
D. $20.00
CORRECT ANSWER: B. $10.00
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.045 sets the maximum fee for a notarial act at $10.00.
This is a statutory cap; the notary may charge less but cannot exceed this amount for a
standard notarization.
,Question 4: Which of the following acts does NOT require the principal to be
physically present before the notary in Florida?
A. Taking an acknowledgment
B. Witnessing a signature
C. Administering an oath
D. Remote online notarization via audio-video communication
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Remote online notarization via audio-video
communication
Rationale: Florida permits remote online notarization (RON) under specific statutes.
During RON, the principal appears before the notary via real-time, two-way audio-video
communication, not physical presence. All other listed acts require physical presence.
Question 5: A Florida notary is authorized to notarize a document that is
written in a foreign language. What is the primary requirement?
A. The notary must be fluent in that language
B. The document must be translated into English by a certified translator
C. The notary must indicate that they do not read or understand the language
D. The foreign language document cannot be notarized in Florida
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The notary must indicate that they do not read or
understand the language
Rationale: Florida law does not prohibit notarizing documents in a foreign language.
However, if the notary cannot read or understand the document, they must state that
fact in the notarial certificate. They are not attesting to the content, only the identity and
signature.
Question 6: What is the legal duration of a Florida notary commission?
A. 2 years
B. 4 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 4 years
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.01 provides that a notary commission is valid for a term
of four years, unless revoked or suspended earlier by the Governor. Renewal requires re-
application and payment of the applicable fees.
Question 7: A notary may notarize a signature for a family member if:
A. The family member is a spouse
B. The family member is a child
C. The family member is a parent
D. None of the above; a notary must never notarize for a family member
,CORRECT ANSWER: D. None of the above; a notary must never notarize for a
family member
Rationale: Florida law does not explicitly prohibit notarizing for a family member in all
circumstances, but it is strictly prohibited if the notary stands to derive a direct financial
benefit from the transaction. The safest practice is to avoid notarizing for immediate
family members to prevent conflicts of interest, though the absolute prohibition applies
when there is a financial interest.
Question 8: Which of the following is an acceptable form of identification for a
principal who is a non-resident of the United States?
A. A valid foreign passport
B. A foreign driver's license without an English translation
C. A social security card
D. A voter registration card from their home country
CORRECT ANSWER: A. A valid foreign passport
Rationale: Florida law allows for identification based on a valid passport issued by a
foreign government if it is current and contains a photograph and signature of the
principal. Other forms of ID may be accepted if they are "satisfactory evidence," but a
foreign passport is a primary standard.
Question 9: According to Florida law, what is the primary duty of a notary
public regarding a credible witness?
A. To determine if the credible witness knows the principal
B. To administer an oath to the credible witness
C. To record the credible witness's address and signature in the notary journal
D. All of the above
CORRECT ANSWER: D. All of the above
Rationale: When using a credible witness, the notary must identify the witness,
administer an oath to them, record their information in the journal, and ensure the
witness swears to knowing the principal. All listed actions are part of the process.
Question 10: The official seal of a Florida notary must include which of the
following elements?
A. The notary's name, the state of Florida, and the commission expiration date
B. The notary's name and the words "Notary Public-State of Florida"
C. The notary's name, the words "Notary Public," and the county of commission
D. The notary's name, the commission number, and the date of commission
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The notary's name and the words "Notary Public-State
of Florida"
, Rationale: Florida Statute 117.05(1) requires the seal to include the notary's name
exactly as commissioned and the words "Notary Public-State of Florida." The seal may
be a rubber stamp, embosser, or electronic seal.
Question 11: A notary who is also an attorney may notarize a document for a
client in which of the following situations?
A. The client is paying the attorney for the notarization
B. The client is signing a will that names the attorney as the executor
C. The client is signing a power of attorney granting the attorney authority
D. None of the above; an attorney cannot notarize for any client
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The client is signing a will that names the attorney as
the executor
Rationale: An attorney may notarize for a client, but not if they are a party to the
document or stand to receive a direct financial benefit. If the attorney is named as
executor, they have a financial interest and therefore cannot notarize that document.
Question 12: When administering an oral oath, what is the required form of
the oath?
A. "Do you swear that the contents of this affidavit are true?"
B. "Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
C. There is no specific wording required; it must merely be an affirmation of truthfulness
D. The oath must be in writing and signed by the affiant
CORRECT ANSWER: C. There is no specific wording required; it must merely
be an affirmation of truthfulness
Rationale: Florida law does not prescribe specific words for an oath. The notary must
only ascertain that the affiant is swearing or affirming under penalty of perjury. The
actual wording can be adapted as long as it communicates that intent.
Question 13: A Florida notary must maintain a notary journal. Which of the
following is NOT a required entry?
A. The date and time of the notarial act
B. The type of identification presented
C. The fee charged for the notarial act
D. The type of document notarized
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The fee charged for the notarial act
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.05(3) does not require the notary to record the fee
charged. The required entries include the date, type of notarial act, signature of
principal, type of ID, and the document type.
Question 14: If a notary's commission expires, their notary seal and journal
must be:
