How to Make Money as a Notary Public

If you’re looking for a way to make some extra money, becoming a notary public might be the perfect solution. While it’s not the most glamorous side hustle or business opportunity, there are plenty of reasons to consider becoming a notary.

Notaries are in high demand, but not many people understand what’s involved in becoming a notary. The truth is, the process of becoming a notary is relatively simple. If you start the process today, you could be ready to start making money in as little as a week.

Aside from the fact that you can start making money quickly, working as a notary is also appealing because it can be done part-time or full-time. It’s a possibility whether you’re looking for a little bit of extra cash each month or whether you want a side hustle that could turn into a full-time income.

We’ve put together this guide to show you how to make money as a notary public. In it, we’ll cover everything from what notaries do and how much they get paid, to the steps you need to take to become certified. We’ll also provide some tips for marketing your services and making money.

What Is a Notary Public?

A notary public is someone who has been appointed by the state to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of documents. Notaries are often used in situations where there’s a need for an unbiased third party to verify that a signature is genuine.

Notaries can also administer oaths, take affidavits, and certify copies of documents. In some states, they may also be able to solemnize marriages.

The duties of a notary vary from state to state, but they generally involve witnessing signatures and ensuring that the signatories are who they say they are.

Notaries are bound by strict ethical guidelines and are expected to maintain a high standard of integrity. Any violation of these guidelines can result in the loss of their notary license.

Notaries are often used in situations where signatures need to be verified, including:

• Legal documents
• Contracts
• Mortgages
• Wills
• Deeds
• Affidavits
• Power of attorney documents

Documents that have been notarized carry more weight and are legally binding. This is because the presence of a notary public creates an extra layer of authenticity and trustworthiness.

Notaries are often used in situations where there’s a risk of fraud or identity theft. For example, if you’re buying a house, getting a mortgage, or signing a contract, you may be asked to have your documents notarized.

This is because the notary can verify your identity and confirm that you understand what you’re signing. In some cases, notarizing documents can also help to prevent fraud by deterring people from forging signatures.

How Much Money Do Notaries Make?

Notaries can charge a fee for their services, and the amount they charge varies from state to state. In some states, there is a maximum fee per document notarized.

However, some states have no limit on how much a notary can charge. In these states, it’s up to the notary to decide how much to charge.

Working as a notary is often done on a part-time basis, which means that notaries typically don’t earn a full-time income from their services. In many cases, self-employed notaries offer these services in addition to other business services.

Also, some employees become notaries and offer services through their primary job. For example, a bank employee might become a notary because many bank documents sometimes need to be notarized and it’s convenient for customers if the bank can notarize documents in-house. As an employee, you may be eligible for a small pay increase if you’re a notary, but it’s not likely to be a significant jump.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average notary makes $58,000 per year.

If you’re looking to maximize your income potential as a notary, we recommend The Loan Signing System.

The Basic Requirements

In order to become a notary public, you must meet certain requirements. These requirements vary from state to state, but they typically include the following:

• You must be at least 18 years old
• You must be a resident of the state in which you wish to become a notary
• You must have no criminal record

Steps to Become a Notary

You’ll need to apply for a notary commission from your state (check with your local county clerk’s office). Depending on the state, you may need to complete a notary training course and pass an exam. You may also need to pass a background check.

The process of becoming a notary can take as little as a week, or it could be longer if your state requires the completion of a course.

As part of the process, you’ll also need to purchase a surety bond. This bond protects the public from any losses that might occur as a result of your actions as a notary.

After you’ve met all the requirements and been appointed by the state, you’ll be given a notary commission, which is valid for a set period of time. Once your commission expires, you can renew it by following the same process.

Surety Bonds and Insurance

As was mentioned earlier, the surety bond protects your customers from a mistake. The amount of money the bond must cover will vary depending on your state. The cost that you’ll need to pay for the bond will vary depending on the amount the bond would pay out in case of an error.

In addition to the surety bond, some notaries also purchase errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. This type of insurance protects you from any losses that might occur as a result of your actions as a notary, and it may or may not be required by your state. Even if it’s not required, paying for errors and omissions insurance is highly recommended.

How to Make Money as a Notary

Now that we’ve covered the basics of what a notary does and how you can become one, let’s look at some of the ways you can find clients and make money.

Leverage Your Personal Network

The best way to get started as a notary is to use your personal network. Almost everyone needs the services of a notary at some point, so be sure to tell everyone you know about what you’re doing. You can also ask your friends if they know anyone who might need a notary.

Your personal network may not lead to a lot of immediate business. However, as people have a need for your services, they’ll be more likely to reach out to you if you’ve talked with them about the services you offer.

Continue to Grow Your Network

Even after you’ve gotten started as a notary, it’s important to keep growing your network. You can do this by joining local business organizations and Chambers of Commerce. These organizations offer networking opportunities where you can meet other people who may be in need of your services.

Although networking may directly lead to some clients, the best types of connections you can make are with professionals who frequently work with clients that may need a notary. For example, you can network with real estate agents, attorneys, and accountants. These professionals are often in need of notary services and may be able to refer clients to you on a regular basis.

Building a strong network will take time, but it can be one of the biggest keys to success with your business.

Network with Other Notaries

In addition to networking with professionals who work with clients that may need notary services, it can also be helpful to network with other notaries. Many notaries are members of professional organizations, such as the National Notary Association or the American Society of Notaries. These organizations offer resources and networking opportunities for members.

You can also professional organizations, search for local meetups, and visit online forums where notaries gather. These groups can provide valuable information and support as you’re growing your business.

By connecting with other notaries in your local area or neighboring towns, you can develop relationships that may lead to referral business.

Integrate with Your Business or Job

If you have an existing business or job, you can integrate notary services into what you’re already doing. For example, if you’re a real estate agent, you could offer mobile notary services to your clients. This would make it convenient for them and may help you to stand out from other agents in your area.

Other businesses that could benefit from integrating notary services include law firms, accounting firms, title companies, and mortgage companies. If you run one of these types of businesses, consider the possibility of offering notary services. It could be a great way to bring in additional income.

Offer Mobile Notary Services

If you want to attract more clients, you may want to consider offering mobile notary services. This means that you’ll travel to your clients’ homes or places of business instead of them coming to you. This is one of the best ways to increase the revenue of your business.

Mobile notary services can be a great option for busy professionals who don’t have time to come to your office. It can also be helpful for people who are unable to leave their homes, such as the elderly or those with disabilities.

Offering mobile notary services can help you to attract more clients and make more money. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you’ll incur additional expenses when traveling to meet with clients. Make sure to factor these costs into your pricing so that you’re still making a profit.

Offer Online Services

Not all states allow online notary services, but if your state does, it’s something you should consider. This can be a great option for people who live in rural areas or who are unable to meet with you in person. You can use a program like NotaryLive to facilitate signings.

Offering online notary services is a great way to increase your reach and attract more clients. And while it’s not currently allowed by all states, online document signing is becoming more and more common. The states that don’t support it now are likely to change those rules at some point in the future.

Create a Website

If you want to attract more clients, one of the best things you can do is create a website. Your website can include information about your business, such as your services, prices, and contact information. You can also use your website to promote discounts or special offers.

Creating a website with Squarespace is an affordable, easy way to get started. Squarespace is an easy-to-use platform that requires no coding knowledge. And with Squarespace’s built-in SEO tools, you can make sure that your site appears in search engine results when people are looking for notary services in your area.

Your website can be a valuable marketing tool and a great way to attract new clients. So if you don’t have one already, be sure to create a website for your notary business.

Use Social Media

Social media is a great way to connect with potential clients and promote your business. You can use platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to share information about your business, such as special offers or new services. You can also use social media to build relationships with potential clients and develop a rapport with them.

You don’t have to be extremely active on social media, but having a Facebook business page or some other basic presence will help to show that your business is legit.

Get Involved in the Community

One great way to attract clients is to get involved in the community. You can do this by offering free notary services to veterans, non-profit organizations, or other groups that you support. This is an excellent way to give back to the community and help those in need. It’s also an effective marketing tool, as it will put your business name in front of potential clients.

There are many other ways to get involved in the community, such as volunteering for local events or donating to charity. But if you want to attract more clients, offering free notary services is an ideal option.

Offer Seminars or Workshops

Another great way to attract clients is to offer seminars or workshops on topics related to notary services. For example, you could offer seminars or workshops related to the types of documents your clients might need notarized.

For example, you could offer a seminar on wills and trusts. If you don’t have the knowledge or experience to lead the seminar yourself, you could partner with another professional who will do the teaching.

You can promote your seminars or workshops through your website, social media, local chamber of commerce, or local event listings.

Offering seminars or workshops is a great way to attract new clients and show your expertise. If you’re looking for an effective marketing tool, this is definitely something you should consider.

Work on Holidays

Most people need notarization services during regular business hours. But there are some situations when people need notarization outside of normal business hours. For example, if someone needs to sign a document on a holiday, they might have difficulty finding a notary who is available, since banks are closed.

If you’re willing to work on holidays, you can put yourself in a position to attract more clients. And while it’s not for everyone, it’s definitely something to consider if you want to grow your business.

The Loan Signing System

If you’re looking for training that will help you to make money as a notary, The Loan Signing System is the best training available. This is a complete course that will teach you everything you need to know about becoming a successful loan signing agent.

The course is taught by Mark Wills, who is a nationally recognized loan signing agent. He’s closed over 10,000 loan signings and has trained thousands of notaries across the country.

The Loan Signing System will teach you how to find clients, how to price your services, and how to close loan signings. It also comes with a money-back guarantee, so you can be sure that you’re getting your money’s worth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts on How to Make Money as a Notary Public

Notaries play an important role in the legal and financial industries. And if you’re looking for a way to make extra money, becoming a notary public is an excellent option.

There are several ways to attract clients, including setting up a website, offering free services, and working on holidays. You can also take advantage of training courses like The Loan Signing System to help you get started.