by In recent years, online services have taken the world by storm. Whether it is online shopping or fast food delivery, the world has taken online services positively. While many sectors have turned themselves into online ones, one of them is notary services.
Now, people don’t have to run to the UPS store or banks to get their documents notarized. With an online notarization platform, you can get your important document notarized within a few minutes. While online notarization platforms have become an efficient way of notarizing documents for the customer, it has also opened new ways for notaries to earn money. And since these platforms offer online services, notaries can work remotely.
Because of this, more and more notaries are shifting to online notarization platforms for convenience and flexibility. If you are a notary looking to expand your business and move to an online platform, this article will help you. Here is everything you need to know about becoming an online notary in Florida.
What is an Online Notary?
Before guiding you through the journey of becoming an online notary, first, you need to understand what an online notary is. An online notary public is a government-authorized individual to electronically notarize documents in the US. Online notaries can work remotely by using digital tools like laptops for performing the verification, such as video conferencing, digital audio, and more.
Nowadays, a lot of notaries are shifting to the online platform for better opportunities and flexibility in their work. Thanks to online notarization platforms like eNotary On Call, notaries can adopt remote online notarization for faster, easier, and convenient notary services. This transformation in the notarization world has not only benefited the notary but also the customers who wanted urgent notary services.
Suppose you need an instant travel consent form notarized for your trip, or you need your divorce document notarized urgently, but your partner is not in town. All these urgencies can be eliminated by using the remote online notarization platform.
However, any notary public can’t perform the online notarization services. To notarize documents online, one must be a commissioned notary to perform remote online notarization (RON) services.
According to the latest survey, around 27% of commission notaries are certified to perform RON services. If you want to read the step-by-step process of becoming an online notary in Florida, continue reading the article.
Step-by-Step Process of Becoming an Online Notary in Florida
Here are the necessary steps that you must follow to become an online notary in Florida.
Step 1: Be a Commissioned Traditional Notary
Before starting your online journey, you have to become a traditional notary public in Florida. Here are the requirements that are needed for you:
- Being at least 18 years old
- A legal resident of Florida
- Able to read, write, and understand English
- Having no felony convictions (unless civil rights have been restored)
If you pass the requirements for the traditional notary, then you can apply through a state-approved bonding agency.
Step 2: Complete the Online Notary Training
As per the Florida law, all applicants must complete a two-hour RON training course to be eligible to become an online notary in Florida. In the course, the applicant will learn the remote notarization rules and the ethics that must be followed by an online notary.
Not only this, but the RON training course will also guide them about the identity verification method and help them to learn using secure audio and video conferencing tools. This course is helpful for the applicant to learn everything about online notarization. After completing the course, the applicant will receive a certificate, which is an essential part of the application process.
Step 3: Choosing a RON service platform
Notary public or individuals who are planning to switch to online notary, must choose a RON platform that meets Florida security and compliance standards.
While there are a lot of online notarization platforms that provide notary services to individuals, eNotary On Call is the best platform that meets all the US security certification and compliance standards.
The easy user interface and efficient notarization process make the platform easy to understand for the notary. They provide a free notary account to notary officials that can help them build a strong business in the market.
Step 4: Secure Your $25,000 Bond and Insurance
According to the Florida law, it mandates two key protections for online notaries:
- A $25,000 surety bond
- A $25,000 Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance policy
These safeguards protect both the notary and the public from financial loss due to errors, omissions, or misconduct.
Step 5: Submit Your Application to the State
In the application, you will need to apply for your training course certificate, RON provider details, proof of bond and insurance, and a $10 application fee.
Once done, you can apply through your bonding agency or directly via the Florida Department of State’s website. Once the application gets submitted, you have to wait for its approval.
Step 6: Get commission as an online notary
After successfully completing the application form, you will receive your approval from the state. The state of Florida will approve your commission as a remote online Notary. Once you receive it, you become officially ready to notarize through a state-approved digital platform like eNotary On Call.
Conclusion
The steps mentioned above are crucial for someone who is planning to get a commission as a remote online notary in Florida. Once you become a remote online notary, you are approved to perform the notarization through a secure online notary platform.
This will open multiple reasons for you to perform the services and increase your flexibility and earnings. If you are already a state-approved online notary, then book your appointment with eNotary On Call now and get a free notary account.
