In Florida, there are different procedures according to your infraction. Florida processes those who are convicted of a felony, those on probation and those who have had adjudication of guilt withheld through one process, and those who have been discip... In Florida, there are different procedures according to your infraction. Florida processes those who are convicted of a felony, those on probation and those who have had adjudication of guilt withheld through one process, and those who have been disciplined by a regulatory agency (including the Florida Bar) through a different process. Florida does not address misdemeanor charges, and those individuals should apply normally. Their applications will be sent directly to the Secretary of State’s Office. If you have been convicted of a felony, adjudication of guilt withheld, or been disciplined by a regulatory agency, we have outlined the process for you below. The process is the same if you are a new or renewing applicant. Renewing applicants must submit the paperwork each time they renew, for you are up for approval or denial each time you apply to either become or renew as a notary public. If you are a convicted felon, are on probation or have been proven of guilt withheld you should:

1. Submit:
   1. A written statement of the nature of the offense.
   2. A copy of the court judgment and sentencing order
   3. If convicted, a certification of Restoration of Civil Rights
   4. The more supporting documentation you attached to your application, the better.
2. Once NPU receives your application, with the above information attached, we will send it to the Governor’s Office. There it takes approximately six to eight weeks to be processed.
3. Once, the Governor’s Office approves or denies the application, they will notify the applicant and the bonding agent. They do NOT let the bonding agency know the details of the decision- making process, so we will have no idea why your application was approved or denied.
4. 1. If the application is approved by the Governor’s office:

-          We send the application to the Secretary of State’s Office. You should receive your notary supplies and commission information in approximately seven business days.

1. If the application is denied by the Governor’s Office:

-          The applicant will receive a full refund. The refund will be issued by the means of the original payment (i.e. if you paid with your credit card, the charge will be refunded on your card). If you have been disciplined by a regulatory agency, you should:

1. Submit
   1. A written statement of the nature of the offense
   2. Any supporting documentation. Such as a final order from the regulating agency.
   3. The more supporting documentation you can attach to your application, the better.
2. Once NPU receives your application, with the above information attached, we will send it to the Governor’s Office for review. There it takes approximately six to eight weeks for them to process your application.
3. Once, the Governor’s Office approves or denies the application, they will notify the applicant and the bonding agent. They do NOT let the bonding agency know the details of the decision-making process, so we will have no idea why your application was approved or denied.
4. 1. If the application is approved by the Governor’s office, we send the application to the Secretary of State’s Office. You should receive your notary supplies and commission information in approximately seven business days.
   2. If the application is denied by the Governor’s Office, the applicant will receive a full refund. The refund will be issued by the means of the original payment (i.e. if you paid with your credit card, the charge will be refunded on your card).

The state views each case as a separate incident, and they do not have a standard way to process each infraction. Therefore, as mentioned above, the more supporting documentation you can provide for your case the better. Furthermore, if you are denied, there are certain cases in which you can re-apply in a year’s time. If you would like to hear more about these cases, please call our Customer Care Center.