Notary Public Underwriters Blog
Notary Blog
I’m a convicted felon. Can I apply to become a Florida notary?
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- Published: January 9, 2020
- Notary Blog
According to the State of Florida’s Governor’s Reference Manual for Notaries Public, if you have ever been convicted of a felony charge, you must have your civil rights restored in order to be eligible for a notary commission, pursuant to Article VI, section 4(a) of the Florida Constitution.
Applicants that have been convicted of a felony, or ever had adjudication withheld or a sentence suspended must submit the following documents along with the Florida notary application:
- A written statement regarding the nature and circumstances of the charge(s);
- A copy of the court judgment and sentencing order, or a complete court document;
- If convicted, a copy of the Certificate of Restoration of Civil Rights (or pardon).
The name of this document may vary depending on the state where the conviction occurred. If the conviction occurred in a state that does not provide a document of this nature upon the restoration of civil rights, the applicant is responsible for providing an explanation and substantial evidence as proof of the fact.
This information is required, whether the felony charges were brought by the State of Florida, another state, or the United States. If adjudication was withheld and civil rights were not forfeited, the written statement and court documents are sufficient.
Upon receipt of your notary application, bond and supporting documents, the Governor's office will perform a background check and determine to approve or deny your request to become a notary.
To obtain information about the restoration of civil rights in the state of Florida, you may contact:
Office of Executive Clemency
4070 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2450
(850) 488-2952
If you would like to further discuss your Florida notary application and the requirements to become a Florida notary, please call us, Notary Public Underwriters, your Florida notary bonding agency. We are always happy to help you navigate through the Florida notary application process. You can reach our Florida notary service department at (800) 821-0821.
Happy National Flag Day!
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- Published: January 2, 2020
- Notary Blog
In the notary community, we have a patriotic sense of duty that our red, white and blue pride and joy represents. Here are 5 ways you can celebrate National Flag Day in your own way.
How do I improve the air quality in my office space?
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- Published: January 2, 2020
- Notary Blog
Most notaries spend a significant amount of time indoors–either in the home or office–where gas, chemicals and other pollutants can cause headaches, eye irritation, allergies and fatigue. Not to worry! Our list of air-purifying plants can help you clean the air in your work environment.
How do I get customers for my notary business?
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- Published: January 2, 2020
- Notary Blog
Whether you work full-time or notarizations are your side hustle, being a notary can definitely bring in some extra cash…. IF you can reach your potential customers. At Notary Public Underwriters, we’ve put together a list of notary public advertising tips to help you be a success!
Help! My best friend asked to borrow my notary seal. What should I do?
- Details
- Published: January 2, 2020
- Notary Blog
Hey, friend! I’m in a pickle. Can I borrow your notary stamp this one time?
We understand it’s difficult to say no, but say no you must. Not only are you responsible for keeping your notary supplies under lock and key as prescribed in the Florida Statues, allowing your friend to have possession of your notary seal puts them at risk of a second-degree misdemeanor.
When you become a Florida notary, you take an oath you must uphold to guard the office of notary public at all times. If we think about the types of powerful transactions that we are responsible for as a notary (weddings, mortgages, title loans, power of attorney) we can see the potential ramifications of something going wrong. It is vital we take this responsibility seriously and guard our notary supplies to the best of our ability.
In the situation above, you must tell your friend,
“So sorry, friend. I have to be a notary first and your bestie second.”
If you would like to further discuss your responsibility of guarding your notary supplies, please call us, Notary Public Underwriters, your Florida notary bonding agency. We are always happy to help you navigate the Florida notary world. You can reach our Florida notary service department at (800) 821-0821.
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