Notarizing Documents for Someone With a Disability

Notarization exists to serve everyone who needs a document witnessed and verified — and Florida law includes specific accommodations to make that genuinely true for signers with a range of disabilities, rather than treating accessibility as an afterthought.

Signature by Mark

For someone who cannot physically sign their name — due to a physical disability, injury, or other reason — Florida law provides for a “signature by mark.” Instead of a full signature, the person makes a mark (traditionally an X, though it can be any consistent mark) in the presence of the notary and, typically, an additional witness who can confirm the mark was made by that person. The notary’s certificate reflects that a signature by mark was used, following the specific procedural requirements for this method.

This isn’t a workaround or an exception to normal notarization — it’s a legally recognized method built directly into Florida notary law for exactly this situation.

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Notarizing for Someone Who Is Blind or Has Low Vision

The core requirement of notarization — confirming the signer understands what they’re signing — doesn’t change, but how that understanding is confirmed can be adapted. A notary can read the document aloud, or the signer may have the document reviewed through whatever accessible format works for them beforehand, with the notary confirming their understanding and witnessing the signature as usual.

Notarizing for Someone Who Is Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Communication during the appointment can happen through writing, a qualified sign language interpreter, or another method that allows clear, confident communication between the notary and the signer. What matters is that the notary can genuinely confirm the signer understands the document and is signing willingly — the specific communication method is flexible as long as that standard is met.

What Doesn’t Change

Regardless of any accommodation involved, the core requirements of notarization stay the same:

• Identity verification through acceptable ID
• Confirmation that the signer understands the document, through whatever accessible means apply
• Confirmation of willingness — signing without coercion
• A properly completed notarial certificate, noting any accommodation used, like signature by mark

Planning Ahead for a Smoother Appointment

If a specific accommodation will be needed — an interpreter, extra time, a particular communication method — mentioning this when scheduling helps ensure the appointment is set up to go smoothly from the start, rather than working it out on the spot.

A Straightforward Commitment

Every signer deserves the same careful, respectful notarization process, and a disability shouldn’t be a barrier to getting an important document properly witnessed and notarized. Easy Day Notary is glad to discuss accommodations ahead of an appointment — contact us to talk through what would work best, or schedule directly once you’re ready.

Schedule an Accommodated Appointment