POA Notarization. Done Right, the First Time.

Florida POA Types We Notarize

• Durable Power of Attorney — survives the principal's incapacity; governed by Florida Power of Attorney Act, §709.2101–§709.2402, F.S.
• Springing or limited POA — narrower scope, takes effect on a triggering event or for a defined transaction
• Designation of Healthcare Surrogate — under §765.202, F.S., authorizes another person to make healthcare decisions
• Living Will — under §765.302, F.S., expresses end-of-life wishes
• Real Estate POA — for closings when the principal cannot attend; must comply with §689.111, F.S. recording requirements
• Military POA — under federal 10 U.S.C. §1044b, recognized in Florida

Florida Statutory Requirements — POA Execution

For a Florida durable POA to be enforceable:

1. The principal must sign in the physical or electronic presence of two witnesses
2. The signature must be acknowledged before a notary public
3. The notary's certificate must include the venue, date, principal's identification, and the notary's seal and commission information
4. Witnesses must be at least 18 years old and competent

§709.2105, F.S. Witnesses are not required to be disinterested under Florida's POA statute, though best practice is to use witnesses who are not named beneficiaries. Healthcare surrogate documents have additional restrictions under §765.202(2), F.S.

POA via RON — Yes, It's Allowed in Florida

Florida specifically authorizes Remote Online Notarization for powers of attorney under URAA, Chapter 117, F.S. The principal and witnesses participate via secure video, identity is verified through credential analysis and KBA, and the digital seal is applied during the live session. The result is legally equivalent to in-person execution.

Healthcare surrogate designations executed via RON should be confirmed with the receiving healthcare provider — most accept RON, but some institutions still prefer wet-ink signatures for medical files.

Witnesses — Your Responsibility

The notary does not provide witnesses as a standard service. Arrange your two witnesses in advance:

• Both must be at least 18 years old
• Both must observe the principal's signature live (in person or on video for RON)
• Avoid using the agent named in the POA as a witness
• For healthcare surrogate documents, at least one witness must not be the spouse, blood relative, or named surrogate

Pricing

Service	Fee	Authority
In-person POA notarization (Seminole County)	$10 per signature + travel	§117.05(2)(a)
RON POA notarization (statewide)	$25 per signature	§117.275
Multi-document POA package (e.g., POA + healthcare surrogate + living will)	Per-signature, quoted upfront	—

What to Bring (or Have Ready for RON)

1. The completed but unsigned POA document, drafted by your attorney or from a Florida-compliant template
2. Valid government-issued photo ID for the principal and both witnesses
3. Two witnesses present (in person) or available on video (for RON)
4. Capacity to communicate awareness and willingness — this is non-negotiable