Posted by MJ_Florida on 7/11/05 7:02pm
Msg #51062

Does anyone do weddings?

Any suggestions on how to pick up a few weddings here and there. I'm not from the area and most people I know are already married.

Reply by Margaret/Florida on 7/11/05 7:09pm
Msg #51063

I used to do them, I live near the beach and everyone wants a beach/sunset wedding. You can onlly charge $35 for a wedding and he ones I have done have been way too much trouble for the money.

Reply by MJ_Florida on 7/11/05 7:31pm
Msg #51069

You can charge more for travel, event planning etc.

Reply by Charles_CA on 7/11/05 7:33pm
Msg #51070

Check out Tampa Bay Weddings, I suspect they get a little more than $35 for their weddings.
www.tbwo.us/index/htm

Reply by BP_WV on 7/11/05 9:04pm
Msg #51099

In what states, other than Florida, can a Notary Public perform a wedding ceremony?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/11/05 9:47pm
Msg #51104

Florida, South Carolina and Maine are the only three states where notaries have the authority to perform weddings, and West Feliciana Parish in Louisiana gives its notaries the authority to perform weddings.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 7/12/05 11:07am
Msg #51238

link not working

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/11/05 7:42pm
Msg #51072

I do lots of weddings.
We can only charge $30 for the wedding. But we can charge travel fee too. I also take photos and usually get $100 plus for the weddings I do.

Wherever you are listed for your notary work, add weddings to your listing.

Reply by Paul_FL on 7/11/05 10:18pm
Msg #51107

I thought I read in my Florida Manual for Notaries that we could only charge $20/wedding?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/11/05 10:28pm
Msg #51109

That was correct at one time - because we cannot charge more than the clerks of the court charge and they could only charge $20 however that was raised to $30, so we can now charge $30.

Reply by Paul_2FL on 7/11/05 10:35pm
Msg #51112

Thanks Sylvia... I just checked the Manual on the Gov's web-site but apparently it hasn't been updated. It still says $20. How were you notified about the change?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/11/05 11:52pm
Msg #51127

From the Florida statutes:

117.045 Marriages.-
A notary public is authorized to solemnize the rites of matrimony. For solemnizing the rites of
matrimony, the fee of a notary public may not exceed those provided by law to the clerks of the circuit court for like services.

The fee to the clerks of the circuit court used to be $20.

But now from the Florida Statutes: 28:24 -which deals with the fees to the clerks of the circuit court.

2. (24) For solemnizing matrimony ............ 30.00

I believe it was changed to $30 last year. It changed since the Governor's Manual was written.

We weren't notified of the change - although I believe the ASN did have it in their newsletter at the time - but it is up to us to keep up with the statutes and changes in the statutes.

Reply by m-fl on 7/12/05 7:23am
Msg #51158

I have done a couple for people I know but i did not like doing them nor do i want to do them as part of my "job" I am not big into being in front of people and having to talk to crowds ... Sitting at a table doing a loan with 2 people is not a problem for me but i am not a public speaker ...

Reply by Paul2_FL on 7/12/05 8:23am
Msg #51161

Thanks Sylvia.... I found it in the Statutes. I haven't done any weddings yet but want to keep up with all of the changes that affect our notary business - good or bad.
Do you regularly check the Statutes for changes and if so, how often?

Reply by PAW_Fl on 7/12/05 10:12am
Msg #51212

Paul ... I frequently visit the FL Senate website (http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/) and check out what bills are under consideration. Every now and then, you will find one that you must keep your finger on, as it will have a direct effect on your Notary practice.

Reply by MJ Florida on 7/12/05 11:01am
Msg #51235

PAW-Keep us posted on any bills-thanks!

Reply by MistarellaFL on 7/12/05 11:09am
Msg #51239

Ditto/ Only $20 in FL

to make extra money you will need to charge travel fees, assist in offerring wedding suppies:flowers,etc. to increase revenue that way

Reply by PAW_Fl on 7/12/05 11:39am
Msg #51251

Re: NOT Ditto/ NOW $30 in FL

http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0028/SEC24.HTM&Title=-%3E2004-%3ECh0028-%3ESection%2024#0028.24

SB 2542 was introduced in March 2005 and, after going through the legislature review and political stuff, as adopted on 5/5/2005. effective 7/1/2005.

Reply by Paul2_FL on 7/12/05 7:03pm
Msg #51407

Re: NOT Ditto/ NOW $30 in FL

Thanks Paul. I'm glad you posted the website for all to see. As you said, we need to keep our finger on any changes being made that could affect us notaries.