Florida Notary Public Licensing Exam Updated
2026 | 200+ Practice Questions & Verified
Answers | Complete Florida Notary Certification
Study Guide, Professional Notary Exam Prep,
Notarial Acts, Acknowledgments, Jurats, Oaths &
Affirmations, Signature Witnessing, Electronic
Notarization, Remote Online Notarization (RON),
Florida Notary Laws, Ethics, Fraud Prevention,
Detailed Rationales
Question 1: According to Florida law, a notary public is prohibited from
notarizing a signature on a document if the signer is not in the notary's
presence unless the notarization is performed under which specific statutory
provision?
A. The signer provides a sworn affidavit of identity via mail.
B. The notary is allowed to use a remote online notarization platform approved by the
state.
C. The notary is permitted to notarize based on a credible witness who knows both
parties.
D. The notary can perform a notarization if the document is pre-signed and the signer’s
identity has been verified by a prior notary.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The notary is allowed to use a remote online
notarization platform approved by the state.
Rationale: Florida law requires personal appearance for a traditional notarization. The
only exception to the physical presence requirement is through Remote Online
Notarization (RON), which is authorized under specific statutes and must be conducted
via an approved platform that meets the state's technology and security standards.
Question 2: Under Florida Notary law, what is the maximum fee a notary
public may charge for performing a traditional notarization, excluding travel
fees and remote online notarization fees?
A. $5.00
B. $10.00
C. $7.50
D. $15.00
CORRECT ANSWER: B. $10.00
Rationale: Florida Statutes Section 117.045(1) sets the maximum fee for a notary
public's services, including the acknowledgment and jurat, at $10.00 per signature
,notarized. Additional fees are permitted for travel and remote online notarizations, but
they must be agreed upon in advance.
Question 3: In Florida, which of the following documents requires a notary to
also take an acknowledgment from the signer rather than just witnessing a
signature?
A. A simple letter of instruction to a bank.
B. A power of attorney for healthcare.
C. A lease agreement for an apartment.
D. A grocery store receipt.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A power of attorney for healthcare.
Rationale: A power of attorney, particularly for healthcare, often requires a formal
acknowledgment to be recorded and to ensure the signer is executing the document
willingly. The notary must administer an oath or affirmation and complete the jurat,
rather than merely witnessing a signature.
Question 4: A Florida notary public is reviewing a document and notices that
the signer’s name is spelled incorrectly. What is the proper action under
Florida law?
A. The notary should correct the spelling themselves and notarize the document.
B. The notary should refuse to notarize the document outright.
C. The notary should have the signer correct the spelling on the document and then
proceed with the notarization.
D. The notary should notarize the document and note the discrepancy in their journal.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The notary should have the signer correct the spelling
on the document and then proceed with the notarization.
Rationale: It is the responsibility of the signer to ensure the document is complete and
accurate. The notary's role is to verify identity, witness the signature, and complete the
notarial certificate. If there is a discrepancy, the signer must correct it; the notary should
not alter the document.
Question 5: Which Florida statute primarily governs the duties,
responsibilities, and liabilities of a notary public?
A. Chapter 110, Florida Statutes
B. Chapter 117, Florida Statutes
C. Chapter 120, Florida Statutes
D. Chapter 116, Florida Statutes
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. Chapter 117, Florida Statutes
Rationale: Chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes contains the laws regulating notaries
public, including their appointment, powers, duties, fees, and the requirements for
notarial acts.
Question 6: A Florida notary public is asked to notarize a document for a
person who does not speak English and communicates through an interpreter.
What must the notary do?
A. Refuse to notarize the document because the signer cannot speak English.
B. Accept the interpreter's statement that the signer understands the document.
C. Make a reasonable effort to determine that the signer understands the document and
the notarial act.
D. Notarize the document as long as the interpreter is a certified court interpreter.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Make a reasonable effort to determine that the signer
understands the document and the notarial act.
Rationale: Florida law does not prohibit notarizing for non-English speakers. The
notary must make a reasonable effort to ensure the signer understands the nature and
consequences of the document and the notarial act. Using an interpreter can assist, but
the notary retains the responsibility for ensuring understanding.
Question 7: According to Florida law, which of the following is NOT a valid
form of identification for a signer when appearing before a notary?
A. A valid driver's license issued by a U.S. state.
B. A valid U.S. passport.
C. An identification card issued by a foreign government that is not recognized by the
U.S.
D. A valid identification card issued by the U.S. Department of Defense.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. An identification card issued by a foreign government
that is not recognized by the U.S.
Rationale: Florida law requires identification to be a U.S. passport, a driver's license or
ID card issued by a U.S. state or territory, a U.S. military ID, or a foreign passport that is
stamped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Unrecognized foreign government IDs
are not acceptable.
Question 8: What is the maximum penalty for a notary public who knowingly
and willfully commits a notarial act in violation of Florida law?
, A. A fine of $500
B. Suspension of notary commission
C. A first-degree misdemeanor
D. A third-degree felony
CORRECT ANSWER: D. A third-degree felony
Rationale: Under Florida law, knowingly and willfully committing a notarial act in
violation of the law can result in a third-degree felony, which carries serious penalties,
including potential imprisonment and fines.
Question 9: A Florida notary public may perform a notarial act for their spouse
under which condition?
A. It is always prohibited.
B. It is allowed as long as they are not a beneficiary of the document.
C. It is allowed if they disclose the relationship to the signer.
D. It is allowed if they have a credible witness present.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. It is allowed as long as they are not a beneficiary of the
document.
Rationale: Florida law permits a notary to notarize for a spouse if the notary is not a
party to the document and has no direct or indirect financial interest in the transaction.
The law prohibits notarizing for a spouse in a document where the notary has a
beneficial interest.
Question 10: Which of the following acts is a Florida notary public expressly
forbidden from performing?
A. Administering an oath to an individual.
B. Taking an acknowledgment of a deed.
C. Certifying a copy of a birth certificate.
D. Witnessing a signature on a will.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Certifying a copy of a birth certificate.
Rationale: Florida notaries are prohibited from certifying copies of vital records,
including birth, death, and marriage certificates, as these are certified by the issuing
government agency. Notaries can certify copies of other documents.
Question 11: In Florida, what is the required expiration date for the notary
public's commission?
A. Four years from the date of issuance.
B. Five years from the date of issuance.
2026 | 200+ Practice Questions & Verified
Answers | Complete Florida Notary Certification
Study Guide, Professional Notary Exam Prep,
Notarial Acts, Acknowledgments, Jurats, Oaths &
Affirmations, Signature Witnessing, Electronic
Notarization, Remote Online Notarization (RON),
Florida Notary Laws, Ethics, Fraud Prevention,
Detailed Rationales
Question 1: According to Florida law, a notary public is prohibited from
notarizing a signature on a document if the signer is not in the notary's
presence unless the notarization is performed under which specific statutory
provision?
A. The signer provides a sworn affidavit of identity via mail.
B. The notary is allowed to use a remote online notarization platform approved by the
state.
C. The notary is permitted to notarize based on a credible witness who knows both
parties.
D. The notary can perform a notarization if the document is pre-signed and the signer’s
identity has been verified by a prior notary.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The notary is allowed to use a remote online
notarization platform approved by the state.
Rationale: Florida law requires personal appearance for a traditional notarization. The
only exception to the physical presence requirement is through Remote Online
Notarization (RON), which is authorized under specific statutes and must be conducted
via an approved platform that meets the state's technology and security standards.
Question 2: Under Florida Notary law, what is the maximum fee a notary
public may charge for performing a traditional notarization, excluding travel
fees and remote online notarization fees?
A. $5.00
B. $10.00
C. $7.50
D. $15.00
CORRECT ANSWER: B. $10.00
Rationale: Florida Statutes Section 117.045(1) sets the maximum fee for a notary
public's services, including the acknowledgment and jurat, at $10.00 per signature
,notarized. Additional fees are permitted for travel and remote online notarizations, but
they must be agreed upon in advance.
Question 3: In Florida, which of the following documents requires a notary to
also take an acknowledgment from the signer rather than just witnessing a
signature?
A. A simple letter of instruction to a bank.
B. A power of attorney for healthcare.
C. A lease agreement for an apartment.
D. A grocery store receipt.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A power of attorney for healthcare.
Rationale: A power of attorney, particularly for healthcare, often requires a formal
acknowledgment to be recorded and to ensure the signer is executing the document
willingly. The notary must administer an oath or affirmation and complete the jurat,
rather than merely witnessing a signature.
Question 4: A Florida notary public is reviewing a document and notices that
the signer’s name is spelled incorrectly. What is the proper action under
Florida law?
A. The notary should correct the spelling themselves and notarize the document.
B. The notary should refuse to notarize the document outright.
C. The notary should have the signer correct the spelling on the document and then
proceed with the notarization.
D. The notary should notarize the document and note the discrepancy in their journal.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The notary should have the signer correct the spelling
on the document and then proceed with the notarization.
Rationale: It is the responsibility of the signer to ensure the document is complete and
accurate. The notary's role is to verify identity, witness the signature, and complete the
notarial certificate. If there is a discrepancy, the signer must correct it; the notary should
not alter the document.
Question 5: Which Florida statute primarily governs the duties,
responsibilities, and liabilities of a notary public?
A. Chapter 110, Florida Statutes
B. Chapter 117, Florida Statutes
C. Chapter 120, Florida Statutes
D. Chapter 116, Florida Statutes
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. Chapter 117, Florida Statutes
Rationale: Chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes contains the laws regulating notaries
public, including their appointment, powers, duties, fees, and the requirements for
notarial acts.
Question 6: A Florida notary public is asked to notarize a document for a
person who does not speak English and communicates through an interpreter.
What must the notary do?
A. Refuse to notarize the document because the signer cannot speak English.
B. Accept the interpreter's statement that the signer understands the document.
C. Make a reasonable effort to determine that the signer understands the document and
the notarial act.
D. Notarize the document as long as the interpreter is a certified court interpreter.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Make a reasonable effort to determine that the signer
understands the document and the notarial act.
Rationale: Florida law does not prohibit notarizing for non-English speakers. The
notary must make a reasonable effort to ensure the signer understands the nature and
consequences of the document and the notarial act. Using an interpreter can assist, but
the notary retains the responsibility for ensuring understanding.
Question 7: According to Florida law, which of the following is NOT a valid
form of identification for a signer when appearing before a notary?
A. A valid driver's license issued by a U.S. state.
B. A valid U.S. passport.
C. An identification card issued by a foreign government that is not recognized by the
U.S.
D. A valid identification card issued by the U.S. Department of Defense.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. An identification card issued by a foreign government
that is not recognized by the U.S.
Rationale: Florida law requires identification to be a U.S. passport, a driver's license or
ID card issued by a U.S. state or territory, a U.S. military ID, or a foreign passport that is
stamped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Unrecognized foreign government IDs
are not acceptable.
Question 8: What is the maximum penalty for a notary public who knowingly
and willfully commits a notarial act in violation of Florida law?
, A. A fine of $500
B. Suspension of notary commission
C. A first-degree misdemeanor
D. A third-degree felony
CORRECT ANSWER: D. A third-degree felony
Rationale: Under Florida law, knowingly and willfully committing a notarial act in
violation of the law can result in a third-degree felony, which carries serious penalties,
including potential imprisonment and fines.
Question 9: A Florida notary public may perform a notarial act for their spouse
under which condition?
A. It is always prohibited.
B. It is allowed as long as they are not a beneficiary of the document.
C. It is allowed if they disclose the relationship to the signer.
D. It is allowed if they have a credible witness present.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. It is allowed as long as they are not a beneficiary of the
document.
Rationale: Florida law permits a notary to notarize for a spouse if the notary is not a
party to the document and has no direct or indirect financial interest in the transaction.
The law prohibits notarizing for a spouse in a document where the notary has a
beneficial interest.
Question 10: Which of the following acts is a Florida notary public expressly
forbidden from performing?
A. Administering an oath to an individual.
B. Taking an acknowledgment of a deed.
C. Certifying a copy of a birth certificate.
D. Witnessing a signature on a will.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Certifying a copy of a birth certificate.
Rationale: Florida notaries are prohibited from certifying copies of vital records,
including birth, death, and marriage certificates, as these are certified by the issuing
government agency. Notaries can certify copies of other documents.
Question 11: In Florida, what is the required expiration date for the notary
public's commission?
A. Four years from the date of issuance.
B. Five years from the date of issuance.
