BECOME A FLORIDA NOTARY
The State of Florida requires your original, hand-written signature in blue or black ink. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.
Your stamp and certificate will be mailed to the address on your application, so make sure it is complete with any apartment or suite numbers. Items that are lost due to incomplete applications cannot be refunded.
YOU MUST DOWNLOAD, PRINT, and SIGN THE APPLICATION.
✅Entire original application. Sign and date the OATH OF OFFICE. Print name as you want it commissioned.
✅Affidavit of Character MUST be the information of someone who’s known you for more than a year and not family. It CANNOT BE YOUR OWN INFORMATION
✅Bond application (sign but DO NOT DATE)
✅Certificate of Completion (signed)
✅Payment (check, money order, order number, or credit card authorization)
✅Copy of front and back of your valid Florida driver’s license or Florida ID
✅If you are not a US Citizen, you must include a RECOREDED DECLARATION OF DOMICILE. Click HERE for more information.
PLEASE NOTE:
✅IMPORTANT! If you answer YES to Questions 5b, 6, 7 or 8 on the application, you must include an additional $40 in cashier’s check or money order for non-refundable processing fee. Your application will be sent to the Governor for his decision.
✅If you have a felony conviction on your record, you must obtain a Restoration of Civil Rights from the Office of Executive Clemency before you can be approved as a Florida Notary
✅If you have a felony conviction on your record, please pay by check or money order made out to WLS Insurance Agency, LLC to ensure a faster refund if your application is denied.
You MUST mail all documents/application to WLS Insurance Agency LLC at 4763 NW 117th Ave, Coral Springs, FL 33076.
HOW IT WORKS FOR BEGINNERS
Take the Course
As a first-time applicant, you’re required by the state of Florida to complete a three-hour notary education course and review Chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes.
Complete the Application
Complete your application online in just minutes. WLS Insurance Agency provides complete and easy-to-follow instructions with your application to help simplify the process.
Order Your Supplies
Now it’s time to pay state fees and order your stamp, certificate, and bond. WLS Insurance Agency commission packages include your state fees and supplies in the package price.
Submit Your Application
Print, sign, and mail your application, bond, certificate, oath of office, and a photocopy of your state-issued I.D. to WLS Insurance Agency.
Receive Your Supplies
Once processed and approved, we’ll send you your Florida notary commission certificate, stamp, and all the necessary documentation.
NOTARY E&O INSURANCE
Notary E&O Insurance is designed to protect Notaries. If you make an unintentional mistake or a false claim is filed against you, it could cost you thousands of dollars to defend yourself in a lawsuit simply to prove you acted responsibly. Don’t assume you are covered by your employer. With Errors & Omissions Insurance from WLS Insurance Agency you don’t have to worry. Why take a chance?
Some states requires every Notary to purchase a Surety Bond in order to protect the public financially from the possibility of a negligent mistake or intentional misconduct. WLS Insurance Agency producers are equipped with the experience and tools to help with all of your Surety Bond needs. We make finding Surety Bonds fast & easy. Any Notary Bonds, We’ve got you Covered.
WHAT STATES REQUIRE NOTARY'S TO HAVE BOND?
The following states require Notaries to purchase and maintain surety bonds:
Alabama – $25,000 Notary surety bond for 4 years
Alaska – $2,500 Notary surety bond for 4 years
Arizona – $5,000 Notary surety bond for 4 years
Arkansas – $7,500 Notary surety bond for 10 years
California – $15,000 Notary surety bond for 4 years
District of Columbia – Notary surety bond $2,000 for 5 years
Florida – $7,500 for 5 years
Hawaii $1,000 Notary surety bond for 4 year commission
Idaho – $10,000 Notary surety bond for 6 years
Illinois – $5,000 Notary surety bond for 4 years
Indiana – $25,000 Notary surety bond for their 8-year commission
Kansas – $12,000 Notary surety bond for the duration of their 4-year commission
Kentucky – $1,000 Notary surety bond for the duration of their 4-year commission
Louisiana – $10,000 Notary surety bond or errors & omissions insurance (E&O) every 5 years
Michigan – $10,000 Notary surety bond for 6-year commission
Mississippi – $5,000 Notary surety bond for 4 years
Missouri – $10,000 Notary surety bond for 4 years
Montana – $25,000 Notary surety bond for 4 years
Nebraska – $15,000 Notary surety bond for 4-year commission
Nevada – $10,000 Notary surety bond for 4-year commission
New Mexico – $10,000 Notary surety bond for 4 years
North Dakota – $7,500 Notary surety bond for 4 years
Oklahoma – $1,000 Notary surety bond for 4 years
Pennsylvania – $10,000 Notary surety bond for 4 years
South Dakota – $5,000 Notary surety bond for 4 years
Tennessee – $10,000 Notary surety bond for 4 years
Texas – $10,000 Notary surety bond for 4-year commission
Utah – $5,000 Notary surety bond for 4-year commission
Washington – $10,000 Notary surety bond for 4 years
Wisconsin – $500 Notary surety bond for 4 years
Wyoming – $500 Notary surety bond for 4 years
For an application to be considered complete, the following rules apply:
✅All required information on the application must be provided,
✅All signatures must be present,
✅A properly executed bond must be attached,
✅Applicant must be at least 18 years old,
✅The residence address must be a physical address and not a post office box,
✅If the applicant does not have a Florida Driver license then submittal of a copy of one of the following is required: a FL I.D. card; a FL Voter Registration card; an income tax form; a FL Homestead exemption; a sworn affidavit; or a recorded Declaration of Domicile,
✅If the applicant is not a U.S. citizen a recorded Declaration of Domicile obtained from the Clerk of Circuit Court must be submitted with the application.
✅If the applicant marks the felony question as affirmative, then supplemental documentation pertaining to the felony (a written statement of the nature of the felony, a copy of the court judgment and sentencing order, and if convicted a Certificate of Restoration of Civil Rights) must be submitted,
✅If the applicant has had a professional license revoked, then a document of explanation must be submitted.
A surety bond is a type of guarantee from an insurance company that ensures the performance of an individual or organization. Surety bonds are commonly used in industries such as notarization, construction, transportation and manufacturing, where they can be required by law. In some states, contractors must obtain a surety bond before they can legally do business.
The purpose of surety bonds is to protect consumers from unethical or dishonest businesses, as well as to provide businesses with a means of recovering losses in case a contract is not fulfilled. Surety bonds also help to prevent fraud and other illegal activities. A surety bond ensures that all parties involved will adhere to the terms of their agreement. If one party fails to do so, the surety bond allows the other party to collect damages from the insurer, up to a certain limit.
Surety bonds can provide consumers with peace of mind knowing that their rights and interests will be protected in any situation. In addition, surety bonds help businesses build trust by demonstrating their commitment to meeting their obligations. Surety bonds help to create a level playing field for businesses by ensuring they compete fairly and ethically.
Ultimately, surety bonds are an important tool for businesses and consumers alike, as they provide added security in the performance of contracts. They can also serve as a powerful deterrent to misbehavior and fraudulent activities. Surety bonds are often required by law to promote trust, fairness and accountability among all parties involved in a contractual agreement.
Errors & Omissions Insurance (E&O) is a type of business insurance that covers professional services firms and professionals for negligent acts, errors or omissions related to the performance of their services. For notaries they make specific Notarial E&O insurance. This Notary insurance does not guarantee payment to third parties like bonds do; instead, it pays for costs incurred if the insured individual or firm is sued for professional negligence.
Unlike surety bonds, which are a guarantee of financial responsibility, E&O insurance does not guarantee payment to third parties; instead, it pays for costs incurred if the insured individual or firm is sued for professional negligence. For example, if a lawyer fails to file an important document on time and as a result their client suffers a financial loss, the E&O policy would cover their defense costs and any settlement that results from the lawsuit.
It’s important to understand that your bond is not insurance protection for you, as a Notary. Your bond protects the public from financial harm that results from any negligent mistake or intentional misconduct you commit while performing a notarization.
If you make an unintentional mistake or omission, or someone files a false claim against you, it could cost you thousands of dollars to defend yourself in a lawsuit simply to prove you acted responsibly. And if a claim is made against your bond, you’re required by law to pay it back. You could also be held personally responsible for any additional costs above the amount of your bond, which might include court costs, legal fees and other expenses.