Posted by Anonymous on 5/10/06 7:54am
Msg #118776

A question to Florida notaries

Hi,

Let me start by saying great forum with extremely knowledgeable people onboard. Here is my question. I received my commission while working for a law office where I still freelance but no longer work on a regular basis. Am I free to run my own notary business when I am not there and do I need to notify the state that I no longer work there on a regular basis? I would really like to perform wedding ceremonies and have a church connection. It may seem like a dumb question but I the rules about leaving employment are a little vague.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Pat in Florida

Reply by Becca_FL on 5/10/06 8:05am
Msg #118777

Your employer has nothing to do with your commission, nothing vague about it. Read the manual.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 5/10/06 8:06am
Msg #118778

Pat, unless you resigned your commission with your position, you are free to use it in any legitimate way.
There are avenues of income you may pursue with your commisssion.
Solemnizing marriage is one of them. I am not sure where you are located within the state, but if you type in your web browser: "florida weddings", you'll find a wealth of information of other FL notaries who have become wedding planners in addition to just solemnizing the vows. That should get you started!
Read up, and good luck!

Reply by hcampersFL on 5/10/06 8:09am
Msg #118780

Pat,
Welcome aboard! The rules for this are simple, in Florida you are the one with the commission and not your employer. Your stamp stays with you at all times. If you leave your employer your commission stays with you.
I see no problem with you starting a business on the side. I (me) if I had a good relationship with my employer would inform my employer to keep them in the loop of my life.
Please check page 65 of your Gov. Manuel.
This is my opinion.
Beverly

Reply by Anonymous on 5/10/06 8:21am
Msg #118785

Thanks so much for your help. I read the guidelines but wanted to be sure I understood completely. It was nice of all of you to also give me additional info on weddings. I am so glad to have found such a helpful board. I have been reading the posts for while now. I will definately remain a member and hope I can help others along the way.



Pat in Florida

Reply by MistarellaFL on 5/10/06 8:23am
Msg #118786

Pat, where are you at?

Geographically that is, in FL?

Reply by Anonymous on 5/10/06 8:34am
Msg #118788

Re: Pat, where are you at?

I am in St. Petersburg. I Live here just about a year and love it. I also have an inactive Real Estate sales license and work in law so I know loan docs, but after reading the posts I have decided that a mobile signing agent business might not be the best idea right now.

I like the idea of weddings because I also do flower arrangements and my husband and I were re-married in Key West about 8 years ago by a notary. It was such great fun that the idea has stuck with me.

Thanks for asking,

Pat in Florida

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 5/10/06 9:35am
Msg #118804

Re: Pat, where are you at?

Hi Pat
You will love doing weddings!
Florida notary laws say we can charge $30 for a solemnizing a marriage. But, that is just for the ceremony. You can charge travel fees and for anything else you do.
I help with the vows (if you need help on this let me know) and I take digital photos and put them on a CD for the couple, so I charge more

Reply by PatinFlorida on 5/13/06 7:19am
Msg #119632

Re: Pat, where are you at?

Thanks Sylvia. Sounds like you have a nice little business going. I will keep you posted as I move along with my business plan.




Pat