FL S1042

Authorizes Florida notaries public to perform online notarizations using audio-video communication technology, allowing principals and witnesses to appear remotely rather than in physical presence

Requires online notaries public to register with the Executive Office of the Governor and Department of State, obtain a $25,000 bond, maintain errors and omissions insurance of at least $25,000, and complete training on online notarization duties and technology

Establishes identity verification requirements for online notarizations including credential analysis of government-issued IDs and knowledge-based authentication with at least 5 questions and 80% correct answers required

Permits the creation and execution of electronic wills effective July 1, 2019, with witnesses able to sign remotely via audio-video technology, except for vulnerable adults who must have witnesses physically present

Sets maximum fees of $25 for online notarization (in addition to standard notary fees) and $20 for electronic copies of journal records, while requiring notaries to maintain electronic journals and audio-video recordings for at least 10 years