An affidavit is based upon either the personal knowledge of the affiant or his or her information and belief. Personal knowledge is the recognition of particular facts by either direct observation or experience. Information and belief is what the affiant feels he or she can state as true, although not based on firsthand knowledge.
An affidavit is a written statement of facts voluntarily made by an affiant under an oath or affirmation administered by a person authorized to do so by law.
—Unless otherwise provided by law, an electronic signature may be used to sign a writing and shall have the same force and effect as a written signature. History. —s.
(1) Any document requiring notarization may be notarized electronically. The provisions of ss. 117.01, 117.03, 117.04, 117.05(1)-(11), (13), and (14), 117.105, and 117.107 apply to all notarizations under this section.
Ing to Chapter 117, F.S., copies of public records, such as the records listed below, CANNOT be attested to by a Florida Notary Public: Any document for which photocopying is prohibited. Birth Certificate. Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization.
(1) Any document requiring notarization may be notarized electronically. The provisions of ss. 117.01, 117.03, 117.04, 117.05(1)-(11), (13), and (14), 117.105, and 117.107 apply to all notarizations under this section.
The document signer must be present and competent to execute the document. The signer must be personally known to you or produce appropriate identification.
Some forms must be signed in the presence of a notary public or deputy clerk. This is the requirement that your signature be witnessed. You must sign the form in the presence of a notary public or deputy clerk (employee of the clerk of the court's office).
The notary acts as an impartial witness, verifying the identity of those signing and ensuring they understand what they are signing. Notarization adds a layer of trust and credibility to the document but does not automatically make it legally binding.
Changes Due to Covid-19 In the chaos of Covid-19, alterations were made to Florida's notary laws. An executive order by Governor Ron Desantis temporarily waived statutory requirements in March 2020. The move allowed notarization and witnessing requirements to be fulfilled through audio-video communication technology.
Florida is one of the few states that permits their Notary Publics to perform online notarizations for individuals physically located anywhere in the world, including non-U.S. Citizens.
Notaries in Florida (and other select jurisdictions) can use eNotary to electronically witness and authenticate the execution of documents.
