If you hold a Florida notary commission, chances are this thought has crossed your mind at least once. It is that ‘ why not just notarize it myself? ‘
It’s a question that comes up often among clients at Notary Plus More. You completed the exam, paid the fees, and have the stamp and seal to prove it. On the surface, it seems like a perfectly reasonable shortcut but is it? It isn’t and the reason goes deeper than a technicality buried in some state handbook.
Florida has one of the stricter stances on this in the country and the consequences for getting it wrong aren’t just professional. They’re criminals. Whether you’re a commissioned notary or simply trying to understand how this whole process works, here’s what you actually need to know.
What a Notary Is Really There to Do
A notary public isn’t just a stamp on a page. The role exists for a specific reason: to serve as an independent, uninvolved witness when something important gets signed.
The whole system hinges on one word: impartiality. Take that away and you don’t really have notarization anymore. You just have a stamp. If you’re headed to get something notarized and want reliable help, check out our Florida Notary Services.
When you sit down in front of a notary, they’re confirming a few things that you are who you say you are, that you understand what you’re putting your name on and that nobody is twisting your arm to do it. Once they’re satisfied, their seal goes on the document as a kind of official guarantee that everything was handled above board.
What Florida Law Actually Says
Florida Statute §117.05(1) doesn’t dance around it. A notary public is explicitly prohibited from notarizing their own signature. There’s no gray area, no “well it depends,” no professional discretion involved. It’s a flat prohibition.
Here’s where it gets serious: violating this statute is classified as a third-degree felony under Florida law. That puts it in the same legal tier as offenses punishable under §775.082, §775.083 and §775.084, meaning real fines, real criminal exposure and potentially real prison time.
A lot of people assume notary violations are handled with a slap on the wrist. In Florida, that assumption could cost you your commission, your record and your livelihood.
The costs associated with notarizing a document vary. They tend to depend on location and document type. If you’re wondering how much it costs to notarize your documents, check out our detailed breakdown here.
The Logic Behind the Rule
It’s worth understanding why this restriction exists, not just that it does.
Think about what you’re actually doing when you notarize a document. You’re stepping into the role of a neutral third party, someone with no dog in the fight and you’re telling anyone who reads that document: “I checked this. I witnessed it. I have no stake in the outcome.” Your presence on that page adds credibility precisely because you’re separate from the transaction.
The moment you’re also the one who drafted the document or stands to benefit from it, that separation is gone. There’s nothing to verify anymore. The safeguard disappears. Florida Statute §117.107(12) reinforces this directly; a notary cannot notarize a signature if they have a financial interest in or are a party to the underlying transaction. Self-notarization fails that test by definition.
What About Notarizing for a Spouse or Parent?
Florida statutes don’t specifically name family members as off-limits, but that doesn’t mean it’s open season on notarizing documents for your relatives.
The conflict of interest standard still applies in full. If you have any personal or financial stake in what a document does and honestly, most family-related documents carry some kind of stake, you shouldn’t be the one to notarize it. The risk isn’t abstract. A document notarized under questionable circumstances can be challenged in court and the notary behind it can face the same professional and legal fallout as any other violation.
The smart move is always the same: find another notary. It takes 20 minutes and removes any doubt.
Are There Exceptions?
Florida does recognize two narrow ones.
First, employees notarizing for their employer. If notarizing business documents falls within your regular job duties, that’s generally permitted, provided your only compensation is your normal salary plus the standard notary fee allowed by law. The employment relationship alone doesn’t create a prohibited financial interest.
