15.03 State
seal.--
(1) The great
seal of the state shall be of the size of the American silver dollar, having in
the center thereof a view of the sun's rays over a highland in the distance, a
sabal palmetto palm tree, a steamboat on water, and an Indian female scattering
flowers in the foreground, encircled by the words "Great Seal of the State
of Florida: In God We Trust."
(2)(a) The
Department of State shall be the custodian of the great seal of the state.
(b) The great
seal of this state shall also be the seal of the Department of State, and the
department may certify under said seal, copies of any statute, law, resolution,
record, paper, letter or document, by law placed in its custody, keeping and
care, and such certified copy shall have the same force and effect in evidence,
as the original would have.
(3) Only the
Department of State shall be authorized to affix the seal to any document for
the purpose of attesting, certifying, or otherwise formalizing such document.
Any facsimile or reproduction of the great seal shall be manufactured, used,
displayed, or otherwise employed by anyone only upon the approval of the
Department of State. The Department of State may grant a certificate of
approval upon application to it by any person showing good cause for the use of
the seal for a proper purpose. The Department of State may adopt reasonable
rules for the manufacture or use of the great seal or any facsimile or
reproduction thereof. Any person violating the provisions of this subsection is
guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082
or s. 775.083.
History.--s. 4, ch. 1, 1845; RS 75; GS 76;
RGS 90; CGL 112; s. 1, ch. 29841, 1955; s. 1, ch. 65-209; ss. 10, 35, ch.
69-106; (2)(a) formerly s. 21, Art. IV of the Constitution of 1885, as amended;
converted to statutory law by s. 10, Art. XII of the Constitution as revised in
1968; s. 1, ch. 70-300; s. 11, ch. 71-136; s. 1, ch. 80-59.