Frequently Asked Questions

A notary public is a state-commissioned official who serves as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents. The notary verifies the identity of the signer, confirms they are signing voluntarily, and applies their official seal and signature to the document.

A notary signing agent is a notary public who has received additional training specifically for handling real estate and loan documents. Signing agents guide borrowers through their loan packages, ensure all documents are properly signed and initialed, and return the completed package to the title company or lender.

Fees vary depending on the type of service, number of documents, and travel distance. Loan signing fees are typically set by the title company or signing service. For general (in-person) notary services, Florida law sets a maximum of $10 per notarial act — generally, one signature notarized on one document, not a flat fee for the whole visit — so multiple documents or signatures are billed as separate acts. Online/remote notarization (RON) is capped at $25 per act. Travel fees may apply for mobile visits. Contact us for a free quote.

We serve six counties across the Tampa Bay area: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Manatee, and Sarasota. Travel fees may apply depending on the distance from our base location.

Yes, please have your documents prepared for your appointment. For loan signings, the documents will be sent to us by the title company. Please Wait to Sign: unless you have been specifically instructed otherwise, please do not sign your documents before your appointment. Some documents must be signed in the Notary's presence, and waiting to sign helps ensure the appropriate notarial procedure can be completed.

Current government-issued photo identification is preferred and may be required by lenders, title companies, electronic notarization platforms, or other parties. Accepted forms typically include a driver's license, U.S. passport, state-issued ID card, or military ID with photo. Florida law recognizes certain additional forms of satisfactory identification. The name on your ID must match the name on the documents. Please contact us in advance if you have questions about an identification document. Visit our What to Bring page for full details.

Yes. We regularly provide notary services at hospitals, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and detention facilities. We coordinate with facility staff and work around schedules to make the process as smooth as possible. Visit our Nursing Home Notary page for more on documents commonly needed in these settings.

Florida notaries are required to reasonably confirm that a signer appears to understand the document they are signing and is acting voluntarily at the time of the appointment. This is not a medical or legal determination, just a common-sense assessment made in the moment. If there is a known concern about a resident's capacity, we recommend planning ahead with the facility's care team or an elder law attorney before scheduling. We cannot notarize a document if the signer does not appear to understand what they are signing at that time.

Common documents include durable power of attorney, healthcare surrogate designations, living wills and advance directives, HIPAA authorizations, admission and facility agreements, and estate planning documents such as trusts. We notarize these documents but do not draft them or provide legal advice — for document preparation, we recommend consulting an elder law attorney.

You do not need to transport your parent anywhere. Contact us with your parent's name, the facility name and room/unit, and the documents involved, and we'll schedule a mobile notary visit directly at the facility. We coordinate with staff and work around your parent's schedule and comfort level. Visit our Nursing Home Notary page for more details.

We do our best to accommodate same-day and rush appointments when our schedule allows. Contact us as early as possible and we will work to fit you in.

Yes. We offer flexible scheduling including evening and weekend appointments to accommodate your needs.

Yes. Remote Online Notarization (RON) allows eligible documents to be notarized remotely through secure audio-video technology. Kristen, a Florida Online Notary, remains physically located in Florida while serving signers located anywhere in the U.S. Some lenders, title companies, agencies, or document types may still require in-person or wet-ink signatures, so contact us first if you are unsure.

In-Person Electronic Notarization (IPEN) is an electronic notarization where the signer and notary physically meet, just like a traditional notarization, but the document is signed and notarized electronically instead of with pen, paper, and an ink stamp. Florida permits notaries to perform IPEN under their existing commission using compliant, tamper-evident technology, and Kristen performs IPEN sessions through BlueNotary. Learn more on our dedicated IPEN page.

The key difference is whether you meet in person. With IPEN, the signer and notary are physically together, and only the signing/notarization itself is electronic rather than on paper. With RON, there is no in-person meeting at all — the entire appointment happens online via video, and the notary can serve signers located anywhere in the U.S. Which one applies depends on your document, your preference, and whether the receiving party accepts electronic notarization.

Florida law allows a signer who is unable to write their name to make a mark (such as an "X") in the presence of the notary and two witnesses. Let us know ahead of time so we can make the appropriate arrangements.

No. Notaries are prohibited by law from providing legal advice, explaining legal documents, or recommending specific actions. If you need legal guidance, please consult a licensed attorney. We can only notarize — we cannot advise.

It depends on the document. Certain Florida real estate documents, including deeds, may require witnesses. Witness requirements depend on the document and transaction. Florida also requires two subscribing witnesses for wills and powers of attorney. If you're unsure, contact us before your appointment and we can help you determine what's needed.

No. The signer must physically appear before the notary at the time of signing. We cannot notarize a document that was signed by someone who is not present.

An acknowledgment verifies that the signer appeared before the notary and acknowledged signing the document voluntarily. A jurat requires the signer to swear or affirm under oath that the contents of the document are true. The document itself will typically indicate which type of notarization is required.

You can schedule an appointment through our contact page, by email, or by phone. Let us know the type of service, number of documents, preferred date/time, and location, and we'll confirm your appointment promptly.