A compliant notary block in Florida must show the venue (State of Florida and county), the correct acknowledgment or jurat wording, how the signer was identified, whether they appeared in person or by online notarization, the date, the notary’s signature, the notary’s commissioned name printed or stamped, and the official rubber stamp seal in photographically reproducible black ink. Those are the Florida notary block requirements every paper notarization has to meet under section 117.05 of the Florida Statutes.1Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes § 117.05 – Section: (4)
What Must Appear in Every Florida Notary Block
The venue line states the notary’s location at the time of the act, written as “State of Florida, County of [Name].” The certificate then has to include the notary’s official signature and the notary’s name printed, typed, or stamped exactly as it appears on the commission.2Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes § 117.05 – Section: (4)(a), (g), and (h)
For paper documents, Florida requires a rubber stamp seal that carries four pieces of information:3Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes § 117.05 – Section: (3)(a)
- The words “Notary Public-State of Florida”
- The notary’s commissioned name
- The notary’s commission number
- The commission expiration date
The certificate must also record how the signer was identified (personal knowledge or a specific ID such as a Florida driver’s license) and whether the person appeared through physical presence or authorized online notarization technology.4Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes § 117.05 – Section: (4)(c)-(f) and (5)
The wording itself has to match, or be substantially similar to, the statutory forms. There are two.
Certificate of Acknowledgment Wording
Use an acknowledgment when the signer appears to confirm that they are the person who signed the document. The statutory phrasing is: “The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me… this [date] by [name of person acknowledging].”5Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes § 117.05 – Section: (13)(b)
The block still has to show the method of identification, note whether the appearance was in person or online, and carry the date and the signer’s exact name.
Jurat Wording for Sworn Statements
Use a jurat when the signer is taking an oath or affirmation, as with an affidavit. The statutory phrase is: “Sworn to (or affirmed) and subscribed before me,” which records that both the signing and the oath happened in the notary’s presence.6Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes § 117.05 – Section: (13)(a)
As with the acknowledgment, the certificate must show identification method, physical or online appearance, the date, and the signer’s name.7Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes § 117.05 – Section: (4)(c)-(f)
Placing and Completing the Block
Apply the rubber stamp in photographically reproducible black ink. Place it near the notary’s signature and clear of other text or signatures so nothing on the certificate is obscured.8Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes § 117.05 – Section: (3)(a) and (4)(i)
Fill in the date, the signer’s name, and the identification details carefully. If any required element is missing or wrong, the certificate may not comply with the statute. The signature and the printed or stamped name on the block have to match the commissioned name on file.