General notary
General notary appointments at your location
For a single form or a small packet, a mobile notary can meet at a home, office, care facility, or another agreed location and complete the required in-person notarial act.
Two common acts
Acknowledgment or jurat
An acknowledgment confirms that the signer appeared, was identified, and acknowledged signing the document willingly. The signature may have been made earlier, although the signer must personally appear for the acknowledgment.
A jurat is used for a sworn or affirmed statement. The notary administers an oath or affirmation, and the signer signs in the notary's presence. The receiving party or document wording should tell you which act is required.
Typical documents
Bring the document prepared, but not incomplete
General appointments may involve affidavits, school or travel permissions, business forms, name-related statements, contracts, consent forms, or certified copies of certain original documents when Florida law allows it.
- Do not leave material blanks in the document
- Keep the notarial certificate attached to the document
- Ask the receiving party about witnesses before the appointment
- Bring the original ID, not a photo of the ID
Impartial service
What the notary can and cannot do
The notary verifies identity and performs the notarial act. The notary does not verify that every statement in the document is true, endorse the transaction, or give legal advice about whether you should sign.
Questions for this topic
Know what to expect before the visit
These answers are specific to this page. For broader questions, use the complete mobile notary FAQ.
Visit all FAQsWhat is the difference between an acknowledgment and a jurat?
An acknowledgment centers on the signer's voluntary act. A jurat centers on a sworn or affirmed statement and requires signing in the notary's presence. Ask the document preparer or receiving agency when the document does not say which is required.
Can you notarize a photocopy of my signature?
No. The signer must personally appear for the notarization. A copied signature does not satisfy that appearance requirement.
What if the name on my ID differs from the document?
Tell the notary before travel begins. Small variations may be manageable, but the notary must have satisfactory evidence that the signer is the individual described in the document. The receiving party may need to correct the document.
Bring the notary to you