Notary Seal and Journal Requirements Flashcards

What identifying information must a Florida notary include on every notarial certificate?

Answer: Name, title ('Notary Public'), and commission expiration date

Every Florida notarial certificate must include the notary's name, the designation 'Notary Public,' and the commission expiration date as required by state law.

A Florida notary must sign notarial certificates using which name?

Answer: Exactly the name as it appears on their notary commission

A Florida notary must sign exactly as their name appears on their commission to ensure the signature matches official state records.

May a Florida notary use a rubber stamp seal that produces an embossed rather than inked impression?

Answer: No, Florida requires an inked (reproducible) seal impression

Florida requires the notary seal to produce a photographically reproducible inked impression; embossed seals alone do not meet this requirement.

What must a Florida notary do before changing their official name after marriage or legal name change?

Answer: Notify the Department of State and obtain a new commission under the new name, or continue under the original commission

A Florida notary may continue acting under their original commission name or notify the Department of State to update their records; they must use the name on their current commission.

Which detail about the signer is most critical to record in a Florida notary's journal for identity purposes?

Answer: The type and identifying number of the ID document presented

Recording the type of identification (e.g., driver's license) and its identifying number provides the most reliable evidence that identity was verified.

Florida law allows a notary's seal to include which optional element in addition to required information?

Answer: The notary's commission number

While not required, a Florida notary's seal may optionally include their commission number in addition to the mandatory elements.