Prior to January 1, 1992, Florida Notaries were allowed to use an embosser as the official seal. However, consistent with the move toward requiring Notaries to use a Notary seal that is photographically reproducible, Florida enacted a law requiring Notaries to use a rubber stamp inking seal. The law contained a grandfather clause that allowed Notaries whose commissions extended beyond January 1, 1992 to continue to use an embosser until such time that they were reappointed. Thus, effective January 1, 1996, all Florida Notaries had transitioned to using a rubber stamp seal. Senate Bill 934, a bill correcting many sections throughout the Florida Statutes, removed this long obsolete provision from the Florida Statutes 117.05(3)(b).

FL Senate Bill 934

Legislation

State: Florida
Signed: May 12, 2014

Effective: June 01, 2014
Chapter: 2014-17

Summary

Senate Bill 934 removes an outdated provision related to the Notary’s official seal.

Affects

Amends Section 117.05 of the Florida Statutes.

Changes

1. Removes an obsolete provision in Florida Statutes 117.05(b)(3) stating that any Notary whose term of appointment extends beyond January 1, 1992 must use a rubber stamp Notary Public seal on paper documents only upon reappointment on or after January 1, 1992.

Analysis

Prior to January 1, 1992, Florida Notaries were allowed to use an embosser as the official seal. However, consistent with the move toward requiring Notaries to use a Notary seal that is photographically reproducible, Florida enacted a law requiring Notaries to use a rubber stamp inking seal. The law contained a grandfather clause that allowed Notaries whose commissions extended beyond January 1, 1992 to continue to use an embosser until such time that they were reappointed. Thus, effective January 1, 1996, all Florida Notaries had transitioned to using a rubber stamp seal. Senate Bill 934, a bill correcting many sections throughout the Florida Statutes, removed this long obsolete provision from the Florida Statutes 117.05(3)(b).

Read Senate Bill 934.