What should I do if my name changes?

Florida law requires you to amend your notary commission within 60 days of changing your name. If you are bonded through Troy Fain, please use our Amended Commission Notary Packet. The regular package is $58, which includes the state fees. You will complete the form and payment and mail it to Troy Fain Insurance. 

Please note that the name change process does not extend your commission. Your expiration date will remain the same.

How long does it take to renew my notary commission?

Upon receiving your completed paperwork, Troy Fain Insurance will hand-deliver your application to the State of Florida. The Secretary of State's commission process takes approximately three business days for most applications.* Once we receive your commission information from the state, your certificate and products will be mailed within three business days.

*Applicants that have been convicted of a felony or had an adjudication of guilt withheld for a felony offense, disciplined by a regulatory agency, or had a professional license revoked must have their application formally reviewed by the Governor’s office to determine the eligibility to become a notary public. Since the reviews are performed on an individual basis, approval times may vary.

What if I move out of Florida, may I transfer my Notary Commission?

Notary commissions cannot be transferred from state to state. You will first need to resign your current Florida commission by contacting the Governor's office. To apply for a commission in another state, please check the guidelines and qualifications provided by the commission authority in that state.

I was a notary in another state, do I need to take the course?

All first-time Florida applicants are required to complete a state-approved notary education course, even if you have previously been a notary in another state. Visit our Florida Notary Education page to learn more about our online notary course.

I'm moving, what should I do with my notary commission?

If you are moving out of state, you need to send in a resignation to the Governor's office. With your signed resignation letter, you need to enclose your certificate. You will also need to destroy your official notary seal.

If you are moving within Florida, you are required by law to update the Department of State, Division of Corporations, of the change within 60 days. We also suggest that you notify your bonding agency of the change as well.

If you are bonded through Troy Fain Insurance, complete the Address Change Form and submit to Troy Fain Insurance. Troy Fain Insurance will update their records and notify that State of Florida of the changes.

I let my commission expire and would like to renew. Do I have to re-take the education course?

It depends on when you were last commissioned and if you were previously commissioned in Florida.

If it has been more than 15 years since you were commissioned in Florida, we recommend you to take our state-approved education course.

If you were commissioned in Florida within the last 15 years, it is not required you take the education course, again.

If you feel you need a refresher, we recommend you to either take our state-approved education course, or review your Florida Notary Handbook. If you feel you do not remember every aspect of being a notary public, please take the time to refresh yourself on those areas. 

What do I do with an expired notary stamp?

When your commission expires you need to ensure you are properly disposing of your expired materials. This means none of your materials should be usable when you throw them away-- you do not want to discard a seal that can still be used to make an impression.

To ensure an impression cannot be made, we recommend you remove the rubber impression pad from the base of the stamp and cut it into pieces. For additional security, you can dispose of the pieces in separate receptacles.

For the embosser, break the die insert into two pieces, or as many pieces as you can. If you cannot break it, file some of the raised portions of the insert so it will not create an impression.

Never throw your old commission information away fully intact; you do not want someone using your information.

Does placing an order automatically renew my commission?

No, you must complete and submit all required documentation to your bonding company for review and electronic transmittal to the State of Florida. Only the commissioning authority can issue a notary commission. The Florida Governor's Office, Notary Section, and the Florida Secretary of State's Office, Notary Commissions and Certifications Section, handle the commissioning process in the state of Florida.