What documents can be notarized online in Florida?
Most documents a Florida notary can notarize in person can also be notarized online, including affidavits, powers of attorney, deeds, and consent forms. The main exception is marriage: Florida law does not allow solemnizing a marriage online. Wills, trusts, and some powers of attorney carry extra witness rules.
Documents commonly notarized online
- Affidavits and sworn statements
- Powers of attorney
- Deeds, satisfactions, releases, and other documents to be recorded with a Florida county
- Consent forms, including travel consent for minors
- Business documents: contracts, resolutions, and statements that require a notary certificate
- Forms required by courts, schools, employers, banks, and government agencies, when the receiving party accepts an online notarization
- Wills, trusts, and health care advance directives, with the witness rules below
What cannot be done online, and extra rules
- Marriage ceremonies. In person only (§117.209(1), F.S.).
- Estate and health care documents. For wills, revocable trusts with testamentary provisions, health care advance directives, and powers of attorney with banking or investment powers, the platform asks screening questions when fewer than two witnesses are physically present. If the signer is a vulnerable adult, the witnesses must be physically present with the signer (§117.285, F.S.).
- Remote witnesses must be U.S. residents located in the United States during the session (§117.285, F.S.).
- Incomplete documents. Blank spaces must be completed before notarization (§117.107(10), F.S.).
- Copies of vital and public records. A notary cannot certify a copy of a birth certificate, death certificate, or other record available from its official custodian (§117.05(12), F.S.).
The receiving party decides acceptance
Florida law makes an online notarization valid, but whoever receives the document chooses whether to accept it. Lenders, title companies, courts, federal agencies, other states' offices, and foreign governments each set their own rules. Ask them before you book; it takes one email and saves a second appointment.
The document must be a PDF
The platform works from an electronic file. Upload the document as a PDF with every page in order. Paper-only documents can be scanned to PDF first, but some receiving parties then expect the electronic result rather than a paper original. If a paper original is required, choose a mobile appointment.
Questions
Can a marriage be performed online in Florida?
No. Florida law does not allow a notary to solemnize a marriage by remote online notarization (§117.209(1), F.S.). Marriage ceremonies are performed in person.
Can I sign a will or trust online?
Florida allows it with extra safeguards. When fewer than two witnesses are physically present, the platform asks the signer screening questions, and a signer who is a vulnerable adult must have the witnesses physically present (§117.285, F.S.). Ask the attorney who prepared the document whether online signing suits it.
Can you certify a copy of a birth certificate online?
No. A Florida notary may not certify copies of vital records or public records available from the official custodian (§117.05(12), F.S.). Order certified copies from the agency that keeps the record.