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In Florida, theNotary Publichave the authority to perform various notarial acts, includingacknowledgmentsand thecertification of copies, following the provisions established in the Florida Statutes. These processes are essential to provide validity and legal security to private and corporate documents.

🔹 1. Types of notarizations that a Notary Public can perform in Florida

✅ Acknowledgments:Certify that a signer appeared personally (or remotely) before the notary, was identified, and acknowledged having signed the document (FS 117.04).

✅ Certified Copies:The notary can make or supervise a photocopy of a document thatis not a vital public record(e.g., birth or death certificates).

🔹 2. Acknowledgment Certificate

Each acknowledgment must include anotarial certificatestating:

📌 How the signer was identified.

📌 That the signer appeared personally or via real-time audiovisual communication.

Florida law (FS 117.05[13][b][c]) provides official wording for bothindividual acknowledgmentsandrepresentative acknowledgments, although it also allows for other appropriate wording.

🔹 3. Types of Acknowledgment Certificates

✔️ Individual Acknowledgment:For a person signing in their own name.

✔️ Representative Acknowledgment:For a corporate officer, trustee, executor, guardian, or representative of an entity.

📄 Short-Form Acknowledgment Forms:

  • Individual Acknowledgment (individuals in a personal capacity).

  • Corporate Acknowledgment (corporation).

  • Partnership Acknowledgment (partnership).

  • Attorney in Fact Acknowledgment (agent).

  • Representative Acknowledgment (public officer, trustee, guardian, etc.).

🔹 4. Identification of the signer (Acknowledger)

A notary must verify identity by:

✅ Personal knowledge.

✅ Credible identifying witnesses.

✅ Official identification documents (FS 117.05[5]).

📌 Important:

  • The documentdoes not have to be signed in front of the notary; it is sufficient for the signer to acknowledge it in the presence of the notary.

  • In contrast, for ajurat, the document must be signed in front of the notary.

🔹 5. Acknowledgments outside the state and abroad

✔️ Outside of Florida, within the U.S.:Acceptable if they comply with the corresponding state law.

✔️ In Florida, for use in another state:They must substantially conform to the wording provided in FS 117.05[13] or 695.25.

✔️ Outside the U.S.:They may be taken by:

  • A local notary from the foreign jurisdiction.

  • A civil notary in Florida or a notary public appointed by the governor.

  • U.S. consular officials.

  • U.S. military or naval officers with notarial authority.

🔹 6. Correct terminology

📌 The notarytakes an acknowledgment (takes an acknowledgment).

📌 The signergives an acknowledgment (gives an acknowledgment).

🔹 7. Why choose Golden Seal for your notarizations?

✅ Knowledge of the law and proper use of individual, corporate, and representative certificates.

✅ Experience in notarizations for use inside and outside the U.S.

✅ Clear and secure processes for acknowledgments and certified copies.

✅ Professional and personal advice for each procedure.

📌 Note:This material is general in nature and does not substitute for legal advice. Each case must comply with current regulations and the specific circumstances of the document.