How to Start a Notary Business

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A notary public works as a verified and legal witness providing their signature in exchange for proof of identity. Standard notarized legal documents usually comprise of contracts, mortgage documents, and wills. If you’re considering giving into providing such services then here are some hints and considerations.

Types of Notary Businesses

A notary business is a business that provides notarial services such as acknowledgments and jurats to its customers. These services can be provided as an add-on to an existing business such as a bank or mailbox store or as the sole form of business for mobile notaries or loan signing agents. The state sets maximum fees for how much notaries can charge.

State notary public license

The requirements to become a notary public vary from state to state. A notary business needs an active state notary public license and, depending on the state, general liability insurance and/or a surety bond. The state will issue a notary commission if an applicant meets all of the requirements of that state.

There is more to starting a successful notary business than simple registration with your state. Costs for supplies and other fixed or recurring business expenses must be considered. Your notary supplies and other expenses should be professional but can also be affordable.

Notary Income Potential

The cost of the notary public services that you provide will depend on your state laws and your business arrangement with your clients.

States typically have laws that set maximum fees for the notarization itself but allow notaries public to charge for extra services such as travel, the copying or printing of documents, or other similar services.

Some notaries public start their own mobile notary businesses and provide signing services to customers at their own locations. A notary public can also add loan signings to their signing services and become a notary loan signing agent.

Notaries public may also notarize as part of an existing job, such as a bank teller or mail or copy center employee. For these notaries public, the act of notarizing documents is part of their regular job, and they do not get paid extra. This is also the case for real estate notaries that work for mortgage companies and notarize real estate transactions.

As a result, the salaries of notaries public can vary dramatically depending on the type and frequency of notarial work completed, but you can typically earn a lot more if you start your own mobile notary business and become a notary signing agent.

Businesses That Hire Notaries

A notary public on staff can benefit any firm that must execute legal documents. So if you don’t want to start your own notary business but want to become a notary public to help you get another job, being a notary public might give you an advantage in the following types of businesses:

• Banks and other financial institutions – Banks usually provide free notarization services for both their existing customers and to get other customers to walk in the door.
• Mailbox stores and copy centers – These locations typically have notaries on staff so customers can have documents notarized.
• Law offices – licensed attorneys typically employ paralegals or legal secretaries with a notary public commission.
• Insurance companies – Insurance companies, especially local ones, often rely on an in-house notary public to acknowledge insurance documents.
• Mortgage companies – Loan officers typically require a notary public notarize loan documents.
• Title companies – Titles companies, which oversee the process of transferring property titles between buyers and sellers, rely on notaries public to acknowledge documents.
• Real estate companies – Title companies often work closely with realtors who use a notary during closings.
• Escrow companies – Escrow officers are typically notaries public.
• Car dealerships specializing in new and pre-owned vehicles often require notary public signing services for sales contracts or vehicle title transfers when required by law.
• Most large corporations have their in-house notary public that they use regularly.
• Construction contractors – Larger construction firms often have a notary public on staff.
• Public or private schools or other educational institutions – Schools often use notaries public.
• Any company that needs notarization regularly should consider hiring a notary public on staff.

In addition to the types of companies that employ notaries public on staff, some government agencies may also have internal notaries on staff.

The idea is that a government agency will provide services to members of the public and use their internal notaries so that these members of the public don’t need to find a separate notary public somewhere else.

Notary Credentials on Your Resume

Definitely! Most employers will see this as a valuable resource, especially if you’re applying for a job in one of the abovementioned industries.

Starting your own notary business?: Start small and grow big

Some new notary publics who start their own notary business try to offer various types of notary services immediately after receiving their notary commission. Instead of starting with the simpler standard notary acts, they want to jump into the more difficult loan signing business.

Instead of potentially biting off more than you can chew, stick with one or two services at first and get used to them before moving on. That way, you won’t find yourself not knowing how to provide a notary service when you run a mobile notary business and are on-site at a client’s location.

Once you have more expertise, it’s time to add new services to grow your notary business. This way you slowly become an expert at each service rather than struggling with them all at once. You also will lower the risk of looking like you do not know what you are doing when you conduct signings.

During your early days as a notary public, remember that you’ll undoubtedly make mistakes or have to refer back to the notary law to know what to do. You’re still a human.

Mistakes are simply opportunities to learn, and how you react to this knowledge may impact your career. That’s why you should start with simple notarizations and then move on to other notary services.

Standard notary acts

Performing routine notary services frequently involves traveling to clients to notarize non-real estate-related documents. We consider conducting real property signings like real estate loan closings a more advanced type of notarization.

Or, you might also work at a location where notary customers come to you such as a bank, escrow company, or a mailbox store.

This approach is also the simplest method to start a notary business. It just requires your notarial commission and any other standard state requirements.

Performing standard notary acts is a great way to get experience to know the notary public business before moving on to becoming a loan signing agent.

Mobile Notary Services

A mobile notary is a notary public who comes to your house or workplace to notarize a single document or a set of documents. Legal papers such as wills and trusts, automobile titles, and personal loan papers are all examples of documents that need to be notarized. The notary public verifies the identity of each signer and records the transaction as required by the laws of their state.

Getting Started as a Mobile Notary

You need to have a notary public commission in order to set up your own mobile notary business. You must also meet any specific state requirements regarding business licensing and/or any insurance or bonds that are required. After that, it’s usually just a matter of finding reliable transportation and advertising yourself.

Loan Signing Agent Work

Notaries who notarize real estate loan paperwork packages are known as notary loan signing agents. Notary signing agents may also want or need other licensing or certification credentials related to the mortgage business. Notary laws regarding signing professionals can vary from state to state.

Actually attracting customers who want to put their signatures on loan documents in front of you might be difficult, but don’t worry; they’re there and ready to engage your services.

As you develop your expertise, you may begin selling your services as a notary public to mortgage companies, signing, and title companies.

That way you’ll get assignments directly from these companies for mortgage and property signings instead of seeking out new business by yourself.

Is Signing Agent Work Right for You

Loan signing agents are mobile notaries who will assist real estate buyers and sellers with signing the documents required for a mortgage closing.

They can earn up to $75 to $200 per appointment. Earnings can vary depending on your location and whether or not these referrals come directly from escrow offices.

Signing Agent Earnings

The price per loan signing can vary, but $100 per signing is a good number for notary signing agents to use in predicting income.

You’ll likely underestimate your potential profit and then be happy when you earn more instead of overestimating and making less than you had hoped.

Full-time notary signers work from 40 to 45 hours per week, including driving to appointments, and many can handle around fifteen signings a month.

That works out to about $6,000 every month or $72,000 annually.

And if you can charge an additional $50 per signing because you can generate direct business that can add at least $50 per appointment, which adds $39,000 more per year for a total of $111,000 earned each year.

Since you work for yourself, you could also earn more by working more than 45 hours per week.

Most of your earnings directly translate to profits because of low overhead. That means you get to keep much more of your earnings than other types of businesses.

Finding Clients for Your Notary Business

To get notary clients, you may promote yourself as a notary public on social media, business cards, printed communications, and of course word-of-mouth. You can also register yourself in specific online notary directories or general business directories such as Google Local Business or Yelp.

Notaries should be networking with one another to share best practices, learn from each other’s mistakes, and develop their businesses. It is one of the most efficient methods for expanding a notary business without spending a lot of money.

You can help with their extra capacity when you’re referring to work to them that might fall outside your comfort zone. In turn, they may refer work to you when their appointment calendar is full.

You may hire a seasoned notary to serve as an advisor and learn more about how to operate a notary firm.

When you are researching a potential notary coach, pick carefully. Check their experience and qualifications, specifically if they are charging you to act as a mentor. A good and efficient notary coach should continue generating income from his or her work while offering coaching services. That way you’ll know that you are being taught skills that work today instead of years ago.

Starting a Signing Agent Business

The first step is to obtain your notary commission from the Secretary of State.

The second step is to take optional training courses to become a notary signing agent.

The third step is to fulfill all of the federal, state, and local requirements for opening your notary business. When opening any new business it’s recommended to work with licensed attorneys to be sure that you comply with all applicable laws.

The fourth step is to start marketing yourself so that potential customers begin calling you.

Business License Requirements

A notary public needs a notary commission from the state in order to perform notarial acts, but needing a business license depends on whether you are a notary public that is running your own full-time business, a part-time business, or a notary public that is working for someone else. If you’re working for someone else you probably do not need a business license because that would be the role of your employer.

However, if you are a notary signing agent or other notary public who operates their own business, then it’s likely that you’ll need a business license or some other license to operate in your state, county, or city.

These requirements can really vary across the country so it’s recommended to consult a licensed attorney to see what is required in your location. It’s also recommended to consult a licensed accountant for tax and other financial guidance.

Startup Costs for a Notary Business

The startup costs of becoming a notary public can vary based on your location. Training and licensing fees range between $20 to $300, depending on your state. If required by your state, bonds generally cost $35-$125.

Notary supplies such as your notary stamp and notary journal cost between $30-$100, depending on the supplies that you select.

Notary classes, which may be required by your state, can cost between $45-200. Additional optional courses to become a notary signing agent can cost between $100-$500.

If your business plan involves a physical location, then you incur the typical expenses associated with purchasing or leasing buildings including rent or mortgage expenses, utilities, and insurance.

If you have a mobile business, make sure you have dependable transportation and insurance so that you can travel to your clients.

Regardless of which type of notary business you’ll operate you’ll also need a business bank account, likely need a business credit card, and other services that require the paying of ancillary fees.

These expenses can vary based on your location or personal choices so it’s recommended that you research these expenses in your area.

Tips for Notary Business Success

Although it’s not the most exciting, the first step in becoming a successful notary is to follow all federal, state, and local laws in setting you your business and/or performing notarizations. After all, you can’t be a successful notary public if your business is shut down.

So that means earning your notary commission and following all of your state’s requirements for the application process including taking a notary public class if one is required as well as potentially passing a background check and obtaining a notary bond.

The next step is to acquire customers, but that’s sometimes easier said than done. Some signing agent courses provide instruction in this area and some notaries public choose to go with a notary mentor to help them along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a business license to be a notary?

It depends on your city. Many cities require a business license for independent notaries. Check with your local city clerk.

Should I form an LLC?

Not required, but it can protect your personal assets from liability. Talk to an accountant or attorney about whether it makes sense for you.

How do I get clients?

Google Business Profile, notary directories (123Notary, Notary Rotary), business cards at title companies and law offices, and word of mouth. See our marketing tips.

How much does it cost to start a notary business?

Your commission costs $200 to $400. Additional business costs (website, E&O insurance, marketing) can add $200 to $500 more.

Can I run a notary business from home?

Yes. Many notaries work from a home office. Clients come to you, or you travel to them as a mobile notary.

What is a notary business?

A notary business provides notarial services such as acknowledgments and jurats. These services can be offered as a mobile notary, at a fixed location, or as a loan signing agent.

How much money do notaries make?

Notary income varies widely depending on services offered. A notary who only performs standard notarizations makes modest income from statutory fees. Mobile notaries and signing agents who handle loan documents can earn significantly more per appointment.

What businesses need notaries?

Real estate offices, law firms, banks, title companies, and insurance agencies all regularly need notarial services. Having a notary on staff adds convenience for clients in industries that execute legal documents.

What is a mobile notary?

A mobile notary travels to clients to perform notarizations at their home, workplace, or another convenient location. Mobile notaries charge a travel fee in addition to the statutory notarization fee.

How do I become a mobile notary?

First obtain your notary commission. Then decide on your service area and fee structure. Market yourself through local networking, online directories, and social media. No additional license is required beyond your notary commission.

What is a loan signing agent?

A loan signing agent is a notary who specializes in notarizing real estate loan documents. Signing agents guide borrowers through the loan package, ensuring all documents are properly signed and notarized.

Is becoming a loan signing agent worth it?

For notaries who want to earn more per appointment, loan signing can be lucrative. Signing agents typically earn $75 to $200 per appointment depending on the loan package and location.

How much do notary signing agents make?

Signing agent fees range from $75 to $200 per loan signing. Agents who work with multiple signing services and build relationships with title companies tend to earn more.

How do notary businesses get clients?

Marketing strategies include networking with real estate agents and loan officers, listing yourself on online directories, building a professional website, using social media, and joining signing service platforms.

How do I start a notary signing agent business?

Obtain your notary commission, complete a signing agent training course, purchase signing agent supplies (including a dual-tray printer), and register with signing service companies. Building relationships with title companies takes time but pays off.

What are the costs involved in opening a notary business?

Startup costs include commission fees, education, exam, bond, supplies, and optionally E&O insurance, a printer, and marketing materials. Total costs typically range from $200 to $600.

How can I be a successful notary?

Follow all state laws precisely, stay current on regulation changes, maintain accurate journal records, be reliable and professional, and market yourself consistently. Your reputation is your most valuable business asset.