Florida Notary Public Certification Course
Exam Updated 2026 | 250+ Practice
Questions & Verified Answers |
Comprehensive Florida Notary Study Guide,
State Notary Exam Prep Test Bank, Notarial
Certificates, Acknowledgments, Jurats,
Oaths, Signature Witnessing, Electronic &
Remote Online Notarization (RON), Florida
Statutes, Ethics, Detailed Rationales
Question 1: According to Florida Statute 117.01, who is responsible for the
appointment, regulation, and suspension of notaries public in the state of
Florida?
A. The Clerk of the Circuit Court
B. The Governor of Florida
C. The Secretary of State
D. The Chief Financial Officer
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The Secretary of State
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.01 explicitly designates the Secretary of State as the
chief administrative officer responsible for the appointment, regulation, and disciplinary
actions, including suspension, of notaries public in the state. While the Governor signs
the commission, the Secretary of State manages the administrative functions.
Question 2: What is the maximum application fee that can be charged by the
Department of State for a notary public commission in Florida?
A. $25.00
B. $39.00
C. $45.00
D. $50.00
CORRECT ANSWER: B. $39.00
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.01(2) sets the maximum application fee for a notary
public commission at $39.00. This fee is collected by the Department of State, which
may also require additional fees for the bond and oath of office, but the state application
fee itself is capped at this amount.
Question 3: A Florida notary public is commissioned for a term of how many
years?
,A. Two years
B. Four years
C. Five years
D. Ten years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Four years
Rationale: Under Florida law, a notary public is commissioned for a term of four years,
as stipulated in Section 117.01(2), Florida Statutes. Upon expiration, the notary must
reapply and pay the applicable fees to renew their commission.
Question 4: Which of the following is a required qualification to become a
notary public in Florida?
A. Must be a registered voter in Florida
B. Must be a resident of Florida for at least five years
C. Must be at least 21 years of age
D. Must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Must be a registered voter in Florida
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.01(1) requires that an applicant for a notary commission
be at least 18 years old, a legal resident of Florida, and a registered voter in the state.
There is no five-year residency requirement, age minimum of 21, or educational degree
prerequisite for this position.
Question 5: Under Florida law, a notary public is authorized to administer
oaths and affirmations:
A. Only within the county of their commission
B. Anywhere within the State of Florida
C. Anywhere within the United States
D. Only within a 50-mile radius of their principal place of business
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Anywhere within the State of Florida
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.01(1) grants a notary public jurisdiction to perform
notarial acts throughout the entire state of Florida. Unlike some other states, Florida
notaries are not restricted to the county in which they are commissioned and may serve
anywhere within the state's borders.
Question 6: What specific act is a Florida notary public expressly forbidden
from performing under Florida Statute 117.107?
A. Administering an oath to a public official
B. Taking an acknowledgment of a deed
,C. Notarizing a signature on a document written in a foreign language
D. Notarizing a document where the notary is a party or has a financial interest
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Notarizing a document where the notary is a party or
has a financial interest
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.107(1) explicitly prohibits a notary public from notarizing
their own signature or a document in which the notary is a party to the transaction or
has a direct financial interest. This is to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain
impartiality.
Question 7: According to the Florida Notary Public handbook, what is the
maximum penalty for a notary who unlawfully notarizes a signature without
the signer being present?
A. A fine of $1,000
B. Revocation of commission only
C. A third-degree felony
D. A civil infraction with a $500 penalty
CORRECT ANSWER: C. A third-degree felony
Rationale: Under Florida law, a notary public who falsely certifies that a signer
appeared before them when they did not is committing perjury. This act, specifically
outlined in Section 117.107(3), is a third-degree felony, which can result in imprisonment
and significant fines, beyond mere administrative penalties.
Question 8: What does the "acknowledgment" certificate typically verify in a
notarial act?
A. The truthfulness of the contents of the document
B. The identity of the document's author and the date it was written
C. The signer's identity and that they willingly signed the document for its intended
purpose
D. That the document has been reviewed by a licensed attorney
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The signer's identity and that they willingly signed the
document for its intended purpose
Rationale: An acknowledgment is a notarial act where the signer has appeared before
the notary, confirmed their identity, and declared that they signed the document
willingly for its stated purpose. The notary does not verify the truthfulness of the
document's content, but rather the identity and volition of the signer.
, Question 9: Which of the following is a valid form of identification for a notary
to use to verify a signer's identity under Florida law?
A. A valid passport from any country
B. A valid U.S. driver's license
C. A valid Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and
Motor Vehicles
D. Any of the above, provided they are current and contain a photograph and signature
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Any of the above, provided they are current and
contain a photograph and signature
Rationale: Florida law allows a notary to rely on a current identification document that
contains a photograph and signature, such as a state-issued driver's license or ID card,
or a passport. As long as the identification is current, government-issued, and bears the
signer's photo and signature, it is acceptable.
Question 10: The "jurat" is a notarial certificate used for:
A. Verifying the authenticity of a corporate seal
B. Attesting that a document was signed in the notary's presence and an oath was taken
C. Certifying a copy of a public record
D. Acknowledging a deed in a real estate transaction
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Attesting that a document was signed in the notary's
presence and an oath was taken
Rationale: A jurat is a notarial certificate used when the signer takes an oath or
affirmation regarding the truthfulness of the contents of a document. The signature must
be made in the presence of the notary, who then administers the oath and completes the
jurat certificate.
Question 11: Under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) in
Florida, what phrase must be on the seal of a notary public?
A. "Notary Public-State of Florida"
B. "Seal of the State of Florida"
C. "Notary Public-Sunshine State"
D. "State of Florida-Notary Public"
CORRECT ANSWER: A. "Notary Public-State of Florida"
Rationale: According to the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, as adopted by
Florida, the seal of a notary public must include the words "Notary Public-State of
Florida." This requirement ensures that the seal clearly identifies the jurisdiction and
office of the notary.
Exam Updated 2026 | 250+ Practice
Questions & Verified Answers |
Comprehensive Florida Notary Study Guide,
State Notary Exam Prep Test Bank, Notarial
Certificates, Acknowledgments, Jurats,
Oaths, Signature Witnessing, Electronic &
Remote Online Notarization (RON), Florida
Statutes, Ethics, Detailed Rationales
Question 1: According to Florida Statute 117.01, who is responsible for the
appointment, regulation, and suspension of notaries public in the state of
Florida?
A. The Clerk of the Circuit Court
B. The Governor of Florida
C. The Secretary of State
D. The Chief Financial Officer
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The Secretary of State
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.01 explicitly designates the Secretary of State as the
chief administrative officer responsible for the appointment, regulation, and disciplinary
actions, including suspension, of notaries public in the state. While the Governor signs
the commission, the Secretary of State manages the administrative functions.
Question 2: What is the maximum application fee that can be charged by the
Department of State for a notary public commission in Florida?
A. $25.00
B. $39.00
C. $45.00
D. $50.00
CORRECT ANSWER: B. $39.00
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.01(2) sets the maximum application fee for a notary
public commission at $39.00. This fee is collected by the Department of State, which
may also require additional fees for the bond and oath of office, but the state application
fee itself is capped at this amount.
Question 3: A Florida notary public is commissioned for a term of how many
years?
,A. Two years
B. Four years
C. Five years
D. Ten years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Four years
Rationale: Under Florida law, a notary public is commissioned for a term of four years,
as stipulated in Section 117.01(2), Florida Statutes. Upon expiration, the notary must
reapply and pay the applicable fees to renew their commission.
Question 4: Which of the following is a required qualification to become a
notary public in Florida?
A. Must be a registered voter in Florida
B. Must be a resident of Florida for at least five years
C. Must be at least 21 years of age
D. Must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Must be a registered voter in Florida
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.01(1) requires that an applicant for a notary commission
be at least 18 years old, a legal resident of Florida, and a registered voter in the state.
There is no five-year residency requirement, age minimum of 21, or educational degree
prerequisite for this position.
Question 5: Under Florida law, a notary public is authorized to administer
oaths and affirmations:
A. Only within the county of their commission
B. Anywhere within the State of Florida
C. Anywhere within the United States
D. Only within a 50-mile radius of their principal place of business
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Anywhere within the State of Florida
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.01(1) grants a notary public jurisdiction to perform
notarial acts throughout the entire state of Florida. Unlike some other states, Florida
notaries are not restricted to the county in which they are commissioned and may serve
anywhere within the state's borders.
Question 6: What specific act is a Florida notary public expressly forbidden
from performing under Florida Statute 117.107?
A. Administering an oath to a public official
B. Taking an acknowledgment of a deed
,C. Notarizing a signature on a document written in a foreign language
D. Notarizing a document where the notary is a party or has a financial interest
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Notarizing a document where the notary is a party or
has a financial interest
Rationale: Florida Statute 117.107(1) explicitly prohibits a notary public from notarizing
their own signature or a document in which the notary is a party to the transaction or
has a direct financial interest. This is to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain
impartiality.
Question 7: According to the Florida Notary Public handbook, what is the
maximum penalty for a notary who unlawfully notarizes a signature without
the signer being present?
A. A fine of $1,000
B. Revocation of commission only
C. A third-degree felony
D. A civil infraction with a $500 penalty
CORRECT ANSWER: C. A third-degree felony
Rationale: Under Florida law, a notary public who falsely certifies that a signer
appeared before them when they did not is committing perjury. This act, specifically
outlined in Section 117.107(3), is a third-degree felony, which can result in imprisonment
and significant fines, beyond mere administrative penalties.
Question 8: What does the "acknowledgment" certificate typically verify in a
notarial act?
A. The truthfulness of the contents of the document
B. The identity of the document's author and the date it was written
C. The signer's identity and that they willingly signed the document for its intended
purpose
D. That the document has been reviewed by a licensed attorney
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The signer's identity and that they willingly signed the
document for its intended purpose
Rationale: An acknowledgment is a notarial act where the signer has appeared before
the notary, confirmed their identity, and declared that they signed the document
willingly for its stated purpose. The notary does not verify the truthfulness of the
document's content, but rather the identity and volition of the signer.
, Question 9: Which of the following is a valid form of identification for a notary
to use to verify a signer's identity under Florida law?
A. A valid passport from any country
B. A valid U.S. driver's license
C. A valid Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and
Motor Vehicles
D. Any of the above, provided they are current and contain a photograph and signature
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Any of the above, provided they are current and
contain a photograph and signature
Rationale: Florida law allows a notary to rely on a current identification document that
contains a photograph and signature, such as a state-issued driver's license or ID card,
or a passport. As long as the identification is current, government-issued, and bears the
signer's photo and signature, it is acceptable.
Question 10: The "jurat" is a notarial certificate used for:
A. Verifying the authenticity of a corporate seal
B. Attesting that a document was signed in the notary's presence and an oath was taken
C. Certifying a copy of a public record
D. Acknowledging a deed in a real estate transaction
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Attesting that a document was signed in the notary's
presence and an oath was taken
Rationale: A jurat is a notarial certificate used when the signer takes an oath or
affirmation regarding the truthfulness of the contents of a document. The signature must
be made in the presence of the notary, who then administers the oath and completes the
jurat certificate.
Question 11: Under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) in
Florida, what phrase must be on the seal of a notary public?
A. "Notary Public-State of Florida"
B. "Seal of the State of Florida"
C. "Notary Public-Sunshine State"
D. "State of Florida-Notary Public"
CORRECT ANSWER: A. "Notary Public-State of Florida"
Rationale: According to the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts, as adopted by
Florida, the seal of a notary public must include the words "Notary Public-State of
Florida." This requirement ensures that the seal clearly identifies the jurisdiction and
office of the notary.
