When you need documents notarized in Florida, you might wonder whether to call a notary public or a notary signing agent. While both authenticate signatures, they handle different types of work. Knowing which one fits your situation saves time and keeps your paperwork moving.
What a Notary Public Does
A notary public verifies your identity and witnesses your signature on documents. The job is straightforward: confirm you’re signing willingly, check your ID and stamp the document. There’s no legal advice or document review involved.
Notaries handle everyday paperwork, such as powers of attorney, affidavits, business contracts and medical directives. Florida caps notary fees at $10 per signature for standard documents. Mobile notary services bring this convenience to your home or office, with travel fees disclosed upfront.
The process takes just a few minutes for most documents. You show valid ID, sign in front of the notary and walk away with properly authenticated paperwork.
What a Notary Signing Agent Does
Signing agents are notaries with specialized training in real estate transactions. They handle mortgage closings, refinances and property purchases where dozens of documents need signatures in specific places.
When you’re closing on a house, a signing agent walks you through the entire loan package. They point out where to sign, initial and date each document. While they can’t give legal advice, they explain what each form is and why it’s part of your closing package. This expertise prevents the common mistakes that delay transactions.
Florida completed over 428,000 residential property sales in the past year. Notary signing agents keep these transactions moving by making sure loan documents are executed correctly the first time.
Get Notary Services for Your Security Needs
Main Differences That Matter
Training and Certification
Florida requires all notaries to complete a three-hour education course and pass background screening. Signing agents build on this with additional training focused on real estate law and mortgage documentation. They also carry higher insurance coverage because they handle sensitive financial documents. Most title companies require signing agents to have certification from the National Notary Association or Loan Signing System.
Documents They Handle
General notary services cover everything from school forms to business agreements. Signing agents work exclusively with real estate paperwork: purchase agreements, refinance packages, closing disclosures and mortgage documents. Their entire focus is property transactions.
When You Need Each Service
Your paperwork tells you which service to use. Getting a power of attorney notarized for your parents? That’s standard notary work. Closing on a house in Miami? You’ll want a signing agent who knows real estate documentation.
Typical Uses for Each
- Notary Public: Handles affidavits, business contracts, healthcare directives, powers of attorney and school forms. These are one-off documents that need quick authentication, usually taking just a few minutes to complete.
- Signing Agent: Focuses exclusively on property transactions including home purchases, refinances, HELOCs and seller packages. If your paperwork involves a mortgage lender or title company, you’re in signing agent territory.
Fees and Timing
- Notary Public: Florida caps standard notarizations at $10 per signature. Most appointments take 5-10 minutes. Mobile services add travel fees that get disclosed upfront.
- Signing Agent: Typically charges $75 to $200 per appointment because they spend an hour or more walking you through complex loan packages. Most closings happen at your kitchen table or a title office, scheduled around your availability rather than business hours.
Why This Matters in Florida’s Market
Florida’s been a Remote Online Notarization state since January 2020. RON transactions jumped 547% between 2019 and 2020 nationwide. The technology verifies your identity through credential analysis and knowledge-based questions, actually making it more secure than just checking an ID in person.
Real estate stays busy here year-round, with over 428,000 residential properties changing hands in the past year. Having someone who knows the documentation keeps closings on schedule. Florida updated its deed recording requirements in 2024 to fight property fraud, so staying current with these changes matters more than ever.
Getting It Right
Most notary providers in Florida handle both standard notarizations and real estate closings, but at Notary Plus More, we are a certified notary signing agent experienced in both. Whether you need a notary public for everyday documents like affidavits or guidance through mortgage paperwork, we ensure every signature is handled accurately. With mobile services and flexible scheduling, we make the process simple, convenient, and stress-free. Choosing the right agency ensures your documents are completed correctly the first time, giving you peace of mind.
