what are the benefits of becoming a notary

Benefits of Being a Notary

• Flexibility. Even if you serve as a notary for a specific company, the company does not own your notary commission.
• Resume Booster. Due to their high demand, notary commissions improve resumes. Notarizing is a marketable skill in many...
• Stability. Everyone needs a notary at one point or another, and companies and financial institutions need...

Full Answer

Can I make a living being a notary?

The truth is, almost anybody can make money as a notary as a side hustle or an additional business service. If this has never been an income stream you’ve pursued before, this step-by-step guide to show you what it takes to get your very own notary stamp.

What are some reasons to become a notary?

Reasons for Becoming a Notary

• Work-related Notary. Servicing a workplace by being a notary is the most common reason someone becomes a notary public. ...
• Private Notary Service. Gaining a notary commission and providing a notary service can be a form of self employment. ...
• Public Service. ...

What do you have to do to become a notary?

• Make sure you meet all of the state's requirements (see below).
• Complete and print an application form, using the online Notary Application Wizard.
• Pay the $45 application fee online. ...
• Have your signature on Part 3 of the application notarized.

More items...

Can you make a living as a notary?

That being said, unless you are really working hard, say ten hours a day, it is very unlikely you can make a full-time living from being a notary. It’s just not that kind of enterprise. You also have to consider your expenses: insurance, bond, printer, journals, forms, training, exams, background checks annually, agency enrollment fees, etc.

What are the pros and cons of being a notary?

Steady income can be difficult.You could be sued for a lot of money.Upstart and upkeep costs can add up.Getting started as a notary is pretty easy.Flexible hours and be your own boss.A notary commission enhances your resume.Opportunity to make extra money.You get to help people.

Is being a notary stressful?

Notaries are not super humans. They may have be dealing with attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic syndrome disorder, dyslexia, visual impairments, depression or other disorders and that can be stressful if the notary isn't able to manage his or her work environment.

What are the benefits of notarization?

Benefits of Notarizing Documents Provide legal protection: Having your documents notarized can help prevent contract disputes and litigation. Elevate the credibility of the document: Many documents are not legally binding until they have been notarized.

Who needs a notary the most?

What types of businesses benefit the most from having a Notary on staff?New and used car dealerships.Insurance companies.Mortgage companies.Title companies.Corporations — of any type.Real-estate companies.Construction companies.Schools — public or private of all levels.More items...

What kind of expense is notary?

In accounting of notary services, the company's costs to pay for notarial acts can be considered as expenses for normal activities. However, this requires legal assistance in the daily operation of the company.

What other services can a notary offer?

Other Services Notaries Can Offer To Earn Extra MoneyCourier services for documents.Offering after-hours/holiday services for an additional fee.Photocopying or faxing services.Form I-9 services for employers (restricted in California to qualified and bonded immigration consultants).More items...•

Does notary make document legal?

Notarized documents assure legal authenticity of a person's identity and signature whereas, without registering a sale agreement of a property a person cannot claim ownership of that particular property. Hence, notarization cannot be a substitute of registering an agreement.

Who can be a notary public?

In general, Notary applicants must be 18 years old and a legal resident of the state with no criminal record. Some states require you Notary applicants to read and write English. Some states also allow residents of neighboring states to become Notaries.

Can you notarize your own documents?

In short, you cannot notarize your own documents. Despite having the technical understanding, it's against notary laws to certify your own paperwork. This is because being a notary means that you can demonstrate the ability to remain impartial or disinterested in a transaction.

How do I market my notary business?

5 simple tips to market your Notary Signing Agent businessCreate profiles on as many Notary listing websites as possible.Create a social media presence.Create a Google ad for your business.Form a Notary network.Reach out directly to potential clients.

Become A Notary Signing Agent

If you like the idea of being a Notary to make additional income, becoming a Notary Signing Agent is right up your alley. An NSA is a trained and c...

Improve Your Resume/Skill Set

Notaries are in high demand in a variety of industries, including banking, finance, medical, legal, government, insurance, technology … the list go...

Enjoy A Flexible Schedule

If you choose the mobile Notary/Notary Signing Agent route, you will have the flexibility to set your own hours. It’s a perfect line of work for ho...

Why do notaries have a resume boost?

Resume Booster. Due to their high demand, notary commissions improve resumes. Notarizing is a marketable skill in many industries, such as banking, medical, legal and insurance services. The government and technology industries are also interested in notaries.

Can you work as a notary on the side?

This means, you can either work on the side or work full time as a notary. You can also choose where and when you want to work. In fact, mobile notaries often earn higher incomes than stationary notaries because they are able to charge travel fees in addition to their notary fees.

Do notaries have to claim self employment?

Unlike at a job, notaries earn more as they work more, so you will determine your own income level. In addition, notaries do not have to claim their notary fees as self-employment income, so they are not charged self-employment tax on their earnings.

Do notaries need to have a degree?

Notaries are not required to have advanced degrees or experience. They only need to complete the state’s requirements, which include filling out an application and paying a fee. Some states also require training and passing an exam before you are sworn in, but no future education is required unless you want to increase your income and become a notary signing agent.

Is a notary position stable?

Therefore, no matter the company or industry, your position is typically stable.

Steady income can be difficult

How much money a notary makes is dependent on several factors. Most states have set maximum fees that a notary may charge for their services. Some states set that fee as low as $2.50.

You could be sued for a lot of money

One of the most important tasks a notary has is to establish the identity of the signer to protect the public against fraud and identity theft. Notaries deal with lots of different paperwork and people, so it’s important to always follow the steps of notarization and record important details of each in a journal.

Upstart and upkeep costs can add up

Becoming a notary and sustaining a notary business comes with costs. The obvious initial costs will include:

Getting started as a notary is pretty easy

To qualify as a commissioned notary, most states simply require that you are:

Flexible hours and be your own boss

As a notary, you have the option to create and run your own business. Notaries can set their own hours and work within an area of their liking. You can work as much or as little as you like, and the opportunity to make extra cash could pop up at any moment.

A notary commission enhances your resume

Lots of businesses benefit from having a commissioned notary on their payroll. Law firms, public and private schools, car dealerships, insurance companies, healthcare facilities, and real estate companies utilize notary services on a regular basis. Featuring your status as a notary on your resume will push you ahead of other candidates.

Opportunity to make extra money

Even though there are millions of notaries in the United States, the need for the various services provided by these professionals keeps them in high demand.

What is the duty of a notary witness?

Witnessing document signing, such as legal affidavits and mortgage closing papers, is among the most common duties for notaries. As a notary, you must be aware of the person’s state of mind when he signs a document to gauge whether he is signing under duress or doesn’t seem to understand what he’s signing.

How old do you have to be to be a notary public?

Each state has its own requirements for becoming a notary public; typically, an individual must be 18 years old with a high school education. Some states require written exams or other training, as well as conditions or prohibitions for convicted felons.

Do law offices have notaries?

Law offices have notaries on staff, since clients and witnesses must routinely sign documents, though it is common for notaries to have other administrative or legal duties. Banks, title companies, insurance offices and government offices also have employees qualified to perform notary public services. Other businesses, such as office supply, post ...

Do you need a notary?

Regardless of what happens in the economy or in the world, people always need notaries. The position offers a great deal of stability that is not true in every profession. You may have to increase rates to reflect some changes, such as fuel prices, or provide additional services if competition increases. Just remember to keep your notary public service rates separate from other service fees and within the amount allowed in your state.

Can you refuse to notarize a signature?

If you believe he is not acting voluntarily or doesn't comprehend his action, you can refuse to notarize the signature. You also cannot have any personal interest in whether a person signs a document or not. Otherwise, if the person's identity is verified, you can’t refuse your services.

What is the purpose of a notary?

Notaries serve two main purposes: notarizing official documents for customers, and handling documents that require authentication. So in any situation where this is needed, you might be called upon to serve as the notary public.

What is a notary public?

A notary is a person that is trained and authorized to perform legal formalities such as certifying a variety of official documents.

What do you learn as a notary?

As a notary, you’ll learn more with each transaction. Your initial certification course will give you the basic tools and knowledge to do the job, but through experience, you’ll develop personal skills. You’ll learn how to market your business and build relationships with your clients.

Do you need a notary to notarize a home?

There’s a High Demand. Notaries are always in need. Whether you’re needed to notarize documents involving homes sales or refinancings, for sworn statements, parental consents, rental agreements, or any other number of situations, someone nearby is sure to need a notary. When you become a notary, you can take advantage of these opportunities.

Can a notary charge clients?

As a notary, you can also charge clients for any additional fees to cover expenses such as your travel or supplies needed to complete your job. Having this extra side job will help you feel more secure financially and you can either work more or less as your schedule changes.

Do notaries need to be authenticated?

Notaries, however, benefit from the predictable demand that their services call for. There will always be people who need documents authenticated. Of course, your rates might go up and down with the economy, but your skills will remain valuable in uncertain economic times.

What are the benefits of being a notary?

The Benefits of an Employee Notary. Individuals who seek the office of the notary public come from many walks of life. Indeed, the vast majority of notaries have other professions and careers and obtain a notary commission in addition to their other jobs, skills, and credentials. The notary is in control of how much time he or she wants to give ...

What is a notary public?

The notary is in control of how much time he or she wants to give to this public service, whether on a full-time or part-time basis. Many employees in various work environments are asked to become a notary publics by their employers.

Do employers pay for notary stamps?

Employers usually pay for the employee's notarial training and notary commission application fee and purchase the notary stamps and other supplies that the employee will use while notarizing at the work place.

Do you need a notary for an insurance company?

For some employers, having a notary on staff may also facilitate the actual running of the business, such as in an insurance company or bank where documents must be notarized on a more or less regular basis. The employee benefits as well.

Can a resident worker work during the work day?

To the benefit of the employer, the company now has a resident worker who can, at any time during the work day , offer a range of services to the clientele who may have initially come to the company for other non-notarial services.

A legitimate work-from-home job in 40 states

Traditionally, Notaries would meet with signers in person to perform notarial acts. However, it's now possible to provide Notary services online thanks to remote online notarization (RON) laws.

Benefits of becoming a work-from-home Notary

While there are many benefits of remote work, we're going to explore specifically what makes being an online Notary one of the best work-from-home jobs in 2022.

How does an online notarization work?

Working from home as a Notary means you're meeting with the signer through a dedicated and secure platform online. In most cases, the signer can be located anywhere but you — the Notary — must be physically present within your commissioning state.

Start the commissioning process today

Working as a remote Notary Public also saves you from the constant need to come up with new product or service ideas; the notarial services you can offer are clearly defined by your commissioning state.

Start Working From Home

Rachel Fraser is the Content Marketing Specialist at the National Notary Association.

What does a notary do?

A notary typically verifies the signer’s identity using their driver’s license, passport, or other legal document/license with the signer’s photograph and signature. A document signed and stamped by the notary verifies that they have witnessed the participants signing the paperwork, completing the notarization process.

Why do I need to become a notary public?

Obtaining a notary commission opens doors to additional earning potential in the legal field, where integrity and trust are paramount to success. Many notaries work as freelancers and independent contractors.

How much does a surety bond cost?

Many states require notaries to buy and maintain surety bonds from a bonding agency throughout their 4-year notary term. In most states, the surety bond is $5000. Notary bonds do not protect the notary but safeguard the public against any financial loss caused by the notary public’s improper conduct.

Why do we need to notarize documents?

Documents are notarized to deter fraud, assuring that the document is authentic and all parties involved in the transaction have been certified. A notary public typically record-keeps, vets, and certifies through a process known as a notarial act.

How to become a notary in Illinois?

Provide a notary bond to the state. Complete a study course that meets the state’s requirements (not required in Illinois) Submit your application with a notary application fee. Satisfactorily pass the state-prescribed written examination (not required in Illinois) Clear a background check and submit fingerprints when required.

What is the purpose of notarizing documents?

The state government appoints notaries and provides statutory powers to notarize documents, witness signatures, administer oaths, and serve many administrative functions like identifying the person signing a document. Documents are notarized to deter fraud, assuring that the document is authentic and all parties involved in ...

How much does a notary make?

A notary public signing agent earns approximately $75-$200 on average as a flat fee for real estate transactions in many states. The amount of compensation a notary receives is usually dependent on the type of document notarized.