Written by Acorn Sales Company, manufacturing stamps and seals since 1964 · Reviewed by Molly, VP Marketing at Acorn Sales, against Chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes and the Governor’s Reference Manual for Notaries Public on 20 September 2026 · Updated 20 September 2026
Florida requires a notary seal on all notarized paper documents, and it must be of the rubber stamp type, affixed in photographically reproducible black ink. It carries the words “Notary Public-State of Florida”, your name, your commission expiration date and your commission number. An impression seal may be used alongside but may never be substituted. Florida also sets a timing rule most notaries miss: do not start using a new seal until the first day of the new commission.
Florida notary stamp requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Florida rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Stamp required | Yes | Fla. Stat. § 117.05(3)(a) |
| Required wording | The words “Notary Public-State of Florida”, The notary’s name, The commission expiration date and The commission number | Fla. Stat. § 117.05(3)(a) |
| Size and shape | Not specified. | Fla. Stat. § 117.05(3) |
| Ink color | Black, and photographically reproducible: “The rubber stamp seal must be affixed to the notarized paper document in photographically reproducible black ink.”. | Fla. Stat. § 117.05(3)(a) |
| Embosser | Permitted alongside, never instead: “An impression-type seal may be used in addition to the rubber stamp seal, but the rubber stamp seal shall be the official seal for use on a paper document, and the impression-type seal may not be substituted therefor.”. | Fla. Stat. § 117.05(3)(a) |
| Commission term | There is a timing trap here. | Governor’s Reference Manual |
| Name or address change | Within 60 days of the change, request an amended commission from the Secretary of State with the $25 fee, your current commission, a notice of change form and a bond rider. | Governor’s Reference Manual |
| Lost or stolen stamp | “A notary public whose official seal is lost, stolen, or believed to be in the possession of another person shall immediately notify the Department of State or the Governor in writing.” Immediately, with no day count attached. | Fla. Stat. § 117.01(5), § 117.05(3)(b) |
| Commissioning authority | The Governor, with the Department of State processing applications and issuing the commission | Chapter 117 of the Florida Statutes |
Rules for other states are on notary stamp requirements by state.
Is a notary stamp required in Florida?
Yes, on all notarized paper documents, and it must be of the rubber stamp type.
The governing text is Fla. Stat. § 117.05(3)(a).
What must appear on a Florida notary stamp?
- The words “Notary Public-State of Florida”
- The notary’s name
- The commission expiration date
- The commission number
Separately from the seal, you must print, type or stamp your name below your signature exactly as commissioned.
What size and shape must a Florida notary stamp be?
Not specified
Notary public stamps are made to these conventions, and we check your lines against the statutory wording before we make the stamp.
What ink color is required for a Florida notary stamp?
Black, and photographically reproducible: “The rubber stamp seal must be affixed to the notarized paper document in photographically reproducible black ink.”
More on the trade-off in stamp ink color rules.
Is a notary embosser required or optional in Florida?
Permitted alongside, never instead: “An impression-type seal may be used in addition to the rubber stamp seal, but the rubber stamp seal shall be the official seal for use on a paper document, and the impression-type seal may not be substituted therefor.”
Notary embossing seal kits and inked stamp kits cover both formats. See also notary stamp vs. embosser.
Your Florida seal is yours, not your employer’s
Florida settles a question that causes arguments elsewhere. The seal and the commission “are the exclusive property of the notary public” and “must not be surrendered to an employer upon termination of employment, regardless of whether the employer paid for the seal” (§ 117.05(3)(c)).
If your employer bought the stamp, it is still yours when you leave.
Do I need a new stamp when my commission is renewed or my name changes?
There is a timing trap here. The official manual says: continue using your current seal through the end of your current commission, and do not use the new seal until the first day of the new commission, even if it is already on your desk. Destroy the old one to prevent misuse.
Within 60 days of the change, request an amended commission from the Secretary of State with the $25 fee, your current commission, a notice of change form and a bond rider. You may keep notarizing in the former name for 60 days or until the amended commission arrives, whichever comes first.
What do I do if my Florida notary stamp is lost or stolen?
“A notary public whose official seal is lost, stolen, or believed to be in the possession of another person shall immediately notify the Department of State or the Governor in writing.” Immediately, with no day count attached.
How do I dispose of an expired Florida notary stamp?
A resigning notary must destroy the official seal unless the Governor asks for it back, and must send the commission to the Secretary of State if the office is declared vacant. For an ordinary expiry the statute is silent and the manual says destroy the old seal.
More on retiring an old device in how to dispose of an expired notary stamp.
Can I notarize electronically or remotely in Florida?
Both authorized. Any document requiring notarization may be notarized electronically, and the seal requirement is met by an electronic signature carrying your full name exactly as on the commission application, the words “Notary Public State of Florida”, the commission expiration date and the commission number. Remote online notarization is governed by Part II of Chapter 117.
If you need your seal as an image file for electronic work, see electronic notary seal images.
Related Florida guides
Next step
Have your commission details in front of you before you order, because they go on the stamp and a wrong line means a reorder. Then browse notary public stamps, or call 804-359-0505 and we will check your wording against the statute before we make it.
Frequently asked questions about Florida notary seals
Is a notary seal required in Florida?
Yes. A notary public seal must be affixed to all notarized paper documents and must be of the rubber stamp type (Fla. Stat. § 117.05(3)(a)).
What has to appear on a Florida notary stamp?
The words “Notary Public-State of Florida”, your name, the expiration date of your commission, and your commission number. Separately from the seal, you must also print, type or stamp your name below your signature exactly as commissioned.
What ink color is required for a Florida notary stamp?
Black, and it must reproduce. The statute requires the rubber stamp seal to be affixed “in photographically reproducible black ink”. That rule is for paper documents; the electronic notarization statute carries no ink requirement at all.
Can I use an embosser instead of a stamp in Florida?
No. An impression-type seal may be used in addition to the rubber stamp seal, but the rubber stamp is the official seal for a paper document and the impression seal may not be substituted for it.
When do I start using my new Florida notary seal?
On the first day of the new commission, not before. Keep using your current seal through the end of your current commission. Because the seal carries your expiration date and commission number, both of which change, a new stamp is needed each term.
What if my Florida notary seal is lost or stolen?
Notify the Department of State or the Governor in writing immediately if your seal is lost, stolen, or believed to be in someone else's possession.
Can my employer keep my Florida notary seal if I leave?
No. Your seal and commission certificate are your exclusive property and must not be surrendered to an employer on termination of employment, regardless of whether the employer paid for the seal or the commission.
Can I notarize electronically or remotely in Florida?
Yes to both. Any document requiring notarization may be notarized electronically, and remote online notarization is governed by Part II of Chapter 117. For electronic acts the seal requirement is met by an electronic signature carrying your full name as on the commission application, “Notary Public State of Florida”, the expiration date and the commission number.
