If you're thinking about becoming a notary public, congratulations! Notaries play an important role as legal witnesses and can help people with various needs. Providing your signature in exchange for proof of identity is a big responsibility, but it's also gratifying.
Who needs a notary the most?
Many people need notarization services, including those who are elderly or disabled. These people usually need notarizations for powers of attorney, residency affidavits, medical directives, advance transcripts, and enrollment verifications. Lenders, title companies, real estate agents, and signing services also need notaries for loan documents.
What is a notary business?
A notary business provides notary services, such as acknowledgments and jurats, to its clients. Sometimes notaries work for companies like banks or mailbox stores. In some cases, these services are provided by mobile notaries or loan signing agents who come to the customer's office or home. Many notaries choose to start their notary businesses and provide mobile notary services, and perform loan signings for their clients.
What are the requirements for becoming a notary?
The specific requirements to be a notary varies between states. We focus on teaching Colorado Notaries, so we'll list the requirements for that state:
- You must be at least 18 years of age
- You must be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States or otherwise lawfully present in the United States
- You must be a resident of or have a place of employment or practice in the state of Colorado
- You must be able to read and write the English language
- You must not be disqualified from receiving a commission under section 24-21-523 (I), including:
- You must have never been convicted of a felony
- You must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving dishonesty in the past five years
- You must have never had a notary commission revoked, and
- You must have passed the Colorado notary exam after completing training.
What do I need to invest to be a notary?
The total startup costs involved in becoming a notary include the following:
Notary Course: CO requires notaries to take an approved training course (like ours).
Notary Bond/Surety Bond: If a notary is bonded, they are protected against any liability incurred from improperly notarizing. Being bonded as a notary in Colorado is optional but something to think about. Contact a legal professional for more information if you have questions regarding this process.
Notary Stamp/Notary Seal: A notary seal is an official stamp used by a notary public to authenticate documents. The seal is stamped into the document when it is notarized.
Notary Journal: A notary journal is critical for any notary public. It serves as a record of all the notarial acts performed by a Notary and contains essential information about each act.
State Application Fee: The state of Colorado charges a small application fee.
Errors and Omissions Insurance (E&O) is a type of insurance policy that provides coverage for notaries public against claims made by customers due to errors or omissions in their services. This insurance protects notaries against financial losses caused by negligence, mistakes, or omissions in their work.
Pens: Signers don't always have pens, so it's helpful to have them handy whenever you are notarizing any paperwork.
How much money do notaries make?
The amount you will charge for your notary public services will depend on your state laws and your agreement with your clients. Some states have laws that say how much money you can charge for the actual notarization. Still, usually, you are allowed to charge extra money for things like travel, making copies of documents, or other similar services. Some notaries public start their mobile notary businesses where they go to their customer's locations. A notary public can also become a loan signing agent and provide other signing services.
Notaries public often notarize documents as part of their occupation without receiving additional pay. A prime example is a bank teller or mail center employee who might notarize documents while on the job. The same thing can be said about real estate notaries who work for mortgage companies and handle deals involving property.
The amount mobile notaries public can make varies depending on the type of work they do and how often, though starting your own business usually leads to greater earnings.
Start a mobile notary business
A mobile notary performs notary services, such as acknowledgments and jurats, outside of an office or brick-and-mortar business. Mobile notaries typically travel to customers’ homes or places of business to provide on-site notarial services. These services can include witnessing the signing of documents,
Do you want to be your own boss? Do you want the freedom to set your own schedule? Perhaps you're looking for a way to make some extra money. If so, starting a mobile notary business could be the perfect solution for you.
Mobile notaries are in high demand, and there are many opportunities to make money. You can work as little or as much as you want, and you can be sure that you'll always have work. Not only that, but being a mobile notary is a great way to meet new people and help others. If you're ready to take the next step, then starting a mobile notary business could be the perfect solution for you.
Become a mobile notary
The good news is that you don't need anything extra to become a mobile notary other than reliable transportation. You can use your existing mobile phone to help you book clients and set up a free website using a Google Business Profile. Of course, you could invest more as your business grows, but it's not always necessary at first, especially if you're not in a competitive market with many notary publics.
Become a Notary Loan Signing Agent
Notaries who notarize paperwork for people taking out loans for real estate are called notary loan signing agents. Notary signing agents may want or need other licenses or certification related to mortgages.
You can turn your passion for helping people into a career as a Notary Loan Signing Agent! By becoming a notary signing agent, you can assist borrowers in completing their loan documents and ensure that all signatures are correctly notarized. In addition to being a rewarding career, becoming a Notary Loan Signing Agent can also be financially beneficial.
Even though it might seem hard to find customers who will sign loan documents, there are people who are willing to use your services.