A Notary Public is a state-commissioned official authorized to perform specific acts, primarily witnessing signatures, verifying identities, and administering oaths. This commission grants the authority to prevent fraud and ensure that documents are executed with integrity. Becoming a commissioned notary is merely the first step; the challenge lies in translating that authority into a steady source of income. This guide provides strategies for commissioned notaries to generate revenue through various service models and specializations.
Understanding Your Work Model
Notaries generally operate under two distinct professional models. The first is the employee model, where an individual uses their commission for a salaried position at an organization such as a bank, law firm, or title company. In this scenario, the employer provides the work, and notarial acts are performed as an ancillary duty to the primary job function.
The second model is that of the independent contractor, often referred to as a mobile notary. The independent notary operates their own business, setting fees, managing logistics, and actively seeking clients. All subsequent strategies focus on this independent model, which requires direct effort to secure assignments and establish a business reputation through effective self-marketing and specialization.
Local Strategies for Finding General Notary Clients
Independent notaries should focus on developing relationships with local businesses that frequently require notarization. Establishing contact with estate planning attorneys, CPAs, and real estate agents can lead to referrals for wills, trusts, and general affidavits. Reaching out to senior care facilities and hospitals often results in requests for powers of attorney and medical directives, typically requiring a mobile visit.
Visibility is established through a strong digital and physical presence, starting with a verified Google Business Profile. Optimizing this profile for local search terms like “notary public near me” is an effective, low-cost marketing tactic. Placing professional flyers or business cards on community boards and in local library branches can also capture the attention of individuals needing immediate notarial services.
Notaries should clearly define their service area and establish a transparent fee structure for mobile services. Travel fees, which are separate from the state-mandated notarial fee per signature, must be calculated and communicated upfront to cover time and mileage expenses. Offering services outside of standard business hours, such as evenings or weekends, provides a competitive advantage for clients with inflexible schedules.
Specializing as a Loan Signing Agent
A Notary Loan Signing Agent (LSA) specializes in facilitating the signing of mortgage closing documents. This process goes beyond general notarial acts, as the LSA must guide borrowers through a large package of documents, ensuring proper execution and timely return to the escrow or title company. This specialization is valued because it represents the final step in a real estate transaction.
Becoming an LSA requires specialized training and certification to handle the intricate nature of loan documents and maintain industry compliance. Organizations like the National Notary Association (NNA) offer certification programs that include comprehensive training, a passing exam, and a mandatory background screening. This screening meets the standards set by the Signing Professionals Workgroup (SPW), which is a prerequisite for working with most major title companies and lenders.
LSAs source the majority of their work from title companies, escrow offices, and third-party signing services, rather than directly from the public. These entities rely on certified agents knowledgeable about disclosures, affidavits, and the Deed of Trust or mortgage. Because the financial liability in a real estate transaction is substantial, agents must often carry higher levels of Errors & Omissions insurance, with many companies preferring coverage limits of $100,000 or more.
Leveraging Online Platforms and Signing Services
Notaries can expand their reach by establishing profiles on major online directories that serve as central hubs for finding qualified professionals. Directories such as Notary Rotary, 123Notary, and the NNA’s SigningAgent.com allow notaries to list their credentials, service areas, and fees. Maintaining an active listing and soliciting reviews on these platforms enhances visibility to both the public and industry partners.
A large volume of loan signing assignments is distributed through national signing services, which act as intermediaries between title companies and the independent LSA. Platforms like Snapdocs, SigningOrder.com, and Notary Dash manage logistics and payment, allowing the notary to focus on the signing itself. Notaries must register on these platforms, upload credentials, and monitor for available assignments in their geographic area.
Success on these platforms is determined by responsiveness and positive performance metrics. Notaries who accept assignments quickly, communicate professionally, and receive high ratings are prioritized for future jobs. Building a reputation for reliability on these services generates consistent, high-volume work without requiring direct marketing efforts.
Incorporating Remote Online Notarization (RON)
Remote Online Notarization (RON) enables a notary to perform official acts entirely online via a secure, two-way audio-visual feed. This method removes the requirement for the notary and the signer to be physically present. RON allows notaries to serve clients across their entire state, or even globally, depending on specific state statutes.
The ability to perform RON requires specific authorization from the commissioning state, as it is not automatically granted with a traditional commission. Notaries must confirm their state’s laws and complete any required training or testing to obtain the separate RON certification. Specialized technology platforms, which provide the secure environment, identity proofing, and digital certificate tools, are mandatory for conducting remote notarizations.
Marketing RON services involves targeting clients who prioritize convenience and speed, such as digital-forward law firms, virtual real estate investors, and frequent travelers. Highlighting security protocols, such as knowledge-based authentication and credential analysis, helps build trust with clients unfamiliar with the remote process. RON significantly broadens the notary’s service capacity and geographic market.
Essential Operational Considerations
Any independent notary must secure Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance, which protects against unintentional mistakes or omissions that could cause financial harm. While a state-required surety bond protects the public, E&O insurance protects the notary by covering legal defense costs and losses up to the policy limit. Loan Signing Agents should carry a policy of at least $25,000, with $100,000 being a recommended level for working directly with title companies.
Maintaining meticulous records is an operational requirement that protects both the notary and the public. This involves utilizing a secure, compliant journal or logbook to record every notarial act performed, along with the required identification and fee details. Necessary supplies include a professional seal or stamp that meets state requirements, and secure storage for the journal and client information.
Establishing clear and competitive pricing requires the notary to understand the statutory maximum fees allowed by their state for each notarial act. Beyond the per-signature fee, the notary must determine a fair market rate for travel, convenience, and specialized services like loan signings. Transparent pricing, communicated clearly before the service is rendered, prevents disputes and contributes to a professional business image.