A Notary Public commission is a verifiable professional qualification that can significantly enhance a job application. Job seekers must strategically place this designation on their resume for maximum visibility and impact. Proper placement ensures hiring managers immediately recognize the value and legal capability the certification adds to a professional profile. This guide provides tactical advice on how to integrate this credential into your document for the greatest hiring advantage.
The Professional Value of Notary Certification
Employers view a Notary Public designation as a strong signal of personal integrity and trustworthiness. Becoming a notary requires adherence to state-specific laws and ethical guidelines, demonstrating commitment to compliance and accountability. This certification suggests the applicant has a high degree of attention to detail, necessary for accurately verifying identities and executing legal documents. Hiring personnel recognize the convenience and efficiency of having an employee who can handle confidential paperwork and official attestations in-house.
Strategic Placement Options on Your Resume
Selecting the location for your notary status depends on the specific job description and the relevance of notarization duties to the role. A standardized approach may hide the value of the credential when a more prominent placement is warranted. Consider the three main areas for showcasing this qualification, adjusting your choice based on the role you are pursuing.
Professional Summary or Headline
When the target position is directly related to legal, real estate, or banking services, place the designation in the top summary section for instant recognition. A headline like “Experienced Financial Administrator & Commissioned Notary Public” immediately frames your profile with legal capability. This high-visibility location is best utilized when the job description specifically mentions or strongly implies the need for notarization services. This placement quickly informs the reader of a valuable skill set.
Skills and Certifications Section
The most conventional placement is within a dedicated section for technical skills and certifications. This approach treats the commission as a standalone technical ability, similar to software proficiency or a professional license. This is the recommended option when the notary status is a secondary benefit rather than a primary job requirement. Listing it here allows for quick scanning by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) searching for professional credentials.
Relevant Experience Section
This location is appropriate only if you have quantifiable work history that involved performing notarizations as a regular job function. Instead of simply listing the title, integrate the function into a bullet point describing past responsibilities and achievements. For example, a bullet point might read, “Streamlined client onboarding by executing over 300 loan closing documents as an in-house Notary Public, reducing external service costs.” This integration demonstrates that you actively used the commission to create tangible value for a previous employer.
Formatting Your Notary Credential Correctly
The way you write out the credential must be precise to maintain professional credibility. The designation should always include the full title, “Notary Public,” followed immediately by the state of commissioning. This clarity is mandatory because a commission is only valid within the boundaries of the specific state that issued it. Including the commission expiration date is a professionally expected detail that proves your status is currently active and valid. While the commission number is optional, adding it can be beneficial for roles requiring immediate verification of your status.
When to Emphasize Your Notary Status
The decision to emphasize notary status should be proportional to its utility within the target role’s day-to-day responsibilities. In fields like mortgage lending, title insurance, or legal administration, the commission moves from a benefit to a near-requirement. Jobs such as loan closer, paralegal, executive assistant in a law firm, or government office administrator gain immediate relevance from the credential.
For these high-relevance roles, the credential should be featured prominently, perhaps in both the professional summary and the certifications section. Conversely, in fields like software engineering or marketing, the notary status is a negligible detail. In such cases, list it neutrally in the certifications section only, preventing it from overshadowing more pertinent technical skills.
Maintaining Your Notary Commission
Listing the Notary Public status implies a continuing commitment to professional compliance. This responsibility involves ensuring your commission remains current and initiating the renewal process before the expiration date noted on your resume. Maintaining required surety bonds and errors and omissions (E&O) insurance demonstrates a responsible, risk-averse approach to handling legal liability. This diligence signals to employers that you treat your professional duties with seriousness.