What Is a Notarial Certificate? Understanding Its Purpose, Requirements, and Importance in Florida
- Rey Ethan Mobile Notary Services
- Dec 28, 2025
- 4 min read
When you think of a notary, you may picture a signature and a stamp, but what really makes a notarization official in Florida is the notarial certificate. Whether you're signing estate planning documents, real estate forms, or legal affidavits, the notarial certificate is the written proof that a proper notarial act took place.
In this post, we'll walk you through what a notarial certificate is, what it's used for, the nine required parts of a Florida-compliant certificate, the problems that arise when elements are missing, and examples of the most common notarizations.
✅ What Is a Notarial Certificate?
A notarial certificate is the portion of a document, either pre-printed or written/attached by the notary, that confirms a notarial act was performed correctly. It includes essential information about who appeared, what they did, when and where, and how the notary verified their identity.
This certificate becomes a legal record that the signer:
Appeared before the notary,
Was identified correctly, and
Acknowledged or signed the document in the notary's presence (depending on the act).
📄 When Is a Notarial Certificate Required?
Every time a Florida notary performs:
An acknowledgment (like on a deed or trust),
A jurat (for sworn statements or affidavits),
A copy certification (for personal documents), or
An oath or affirmation (verbal or written),
A notarial certificate is legally required to complete the notarization.
📌 The 9 Required Parts of a Florida Notarial Certificate
According to Florida law, a notarial certificate must include the following nine (9) parts to be valid:
Venue:
The location of the notarization is formatted as:
State of Florida, County of _________.
Type of Notarial Act:
Precise wording indicating if the notary performed an acknowledgment, jurat, oath, or copy certification.
Date of Notarization:
The exact date the notarization occurred.
Name(s) of the Signer(s):
The full legal name of the individual(s) who appeared before the notary.
Method of Identification:
Indicates if the person was personally known or produced identification (with the type listed, e.g., Driver's License).
Signature of the Notary:
Must match the official signature on file with the Florida Department of State.
Typed or Printed Name of Notary:
Clearly printed below the notary's signature.
Notary Seal:
A rubber stamp that includes:
Name,
Commission number,
Expiration date, and
"Notary Public - State of Florida."
Commission Expiration Date:
This may be included in the seal, but it must be present and legible.
⚠️ What Happens If a Notarial Certificate Is Incomplete?
Failing to include any one of the nine parts can result in serious issues:
Document rejection by county clerks, title companies, or courts
Delays in processing legal paperwork or real estate closings
Legal liability for the notary or parties involved
Fines or disciplinary action from the Florida Department of State
That's why every Florida notary should carefully check that all nine parts are completed correctly before handing over the notarized document.
🧾 Common Examples of Florida Notarial Certificates
Here are several examples of correctly formatted notarial certificates that meet Florida's requirements:
🔹 Example 1: Acknowledgment (Individual Capacity)
State of Florida
County of ____________
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me by means of ☐ physical presence or ☐ online notarization, this ___ day of __________, 20___, by __________________________ (name of person acknowledging), who is personally known to me or who has produced __________________________ as identification.
(Signature of Notary Public)
(Printed Name of Notary Public)
Notary Public – State of Florida
My commission expires: ____________
Commission No.: ____________
[SEAL]
🔹 Example 2: Jurat (Sworn Statement with Signature)
State of Florida
County of ____________
Sworn to (or affirmed) and subscribed before me by means of ☐ physical presence or ☐ online notarization, this ___ day of __________, 20___, by __________________________, who is personally known to me or who has produced __________________________ as identification.
(Signature of Notary Public)
(Printed Name of Notary Public)
Notary Public – State of Florida
My commission expires: ____________
Commission No.: ____________
[SEAL]
🔹 Example 3: Copy Certification (Non-Public Record)
State of Florida
County of ____________
On this ___ day of __________, 20___, I certify that the foregoing is a true, exact, complete, and unaltered copy of __________________________, presented to me by __________________________, who is personally known to me or who has produced __________________________ as identification.
(Signature of Notary Public)
(Printed Name of Notary Public)
Notary Public – State of Florida
My commission expires: ____________
Commission No.: ____________
[SEAL]
✅ Final Thoughts: Double-Check Before You Stamp
At Rey Ethan Mobile Notary Services, we take pride in being meticulous with every notarization because we know what's at stake. Whether it's your estate plan, business documents, or travel forms, we ensure that your notarial certificate meets Florida's legal standards every time.
If you're a new notary or a client unsure whether your documents are appropriately prepared, remember: the certificate is more than a formality; it's your legal protection.
📞 Need a Florida Notary Who Gets It Right the First Time?
Contact Rey Ethan Mobile Notary Services today for:
Mobile Notary Services
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Estate Plan Delivery
Apostille Services
I-9 Verifications
Certified Notary Trust Delivery Agents on staff
We proudly serve Wesley Chapel, Tampa Bay, and surrounding Florida communities with professionalism, precision, and our motto: "Reliability. Every Document. Every Time."
Comments