Do you want a flexible job that can be run out of your home and generate a lucrative income? Then a Mobile Notary Public might be your next money making business.
What is a Notary Public?
A Notary Public is a person legally empowered to witness and certify documents and to take affidavits. A notary takes acknowledgments, administers oaths, certifies that a copy of any document, other than a document in the custody of a court, is a true copy thereof, certifies affidavits or depositions of witnesses, and performs such other acts as may be specifically permitted by law. To become a Notary Public check with your state on the requirements.
General Notary Public services includes last will and testament, adoption paperwork, car titles, divorce papers, and other legal documents that require a witness to be present at signing. The legal witness at signing is a Notary Public. When a document signing has been witnessed by a Notary Public, a stamp is a fixed to the document and the document is now considered to Notarized. During the signing process a Notary Public verifies the identity of the person signing the document. Often times a photo copy of an identification card or driver’s license is required to be provided by the signer at time of document signing. As a Notary you will always want to see the the real identification or driver’s license, but the photo copy is for your records and the lender’s records if needed.
How do I make money as a Mobile Notary?
General Notary Services
Everything listed above can be grouped together as a general notary service that you provide to the local community where you live. You might travel to your client’s home, or to a hospital or even an attorney’s office to Notarize a document. Some states have limits on what you can charge to Notarize a document, however you can charge extra for travel and convenience. Check with you state on the specifics. Most Mobile Notaries charge $30 or more for each signing. The distance you travel and the urgency of how soon the document must be Notarized effects how much you charge. The more urgent the Notarization is, the more you charge, especially if your schedule is already booked and the same goes for travel. Most of the expenses associated with general notary services include travel.
Loan Closing Agent
As a Loan Closing Agent you generally print off the documents to be signed, and travel to the borrower’s home and notarize the documents for the lender. To be efficient at this you need to be prepared.
To be prepared.
- You need a computer, printer, and scanner. Make sure that you have plenty of toner and the right size paper. You need both legal size and letter size. For more details on the type of printer that you might need, check out this guide.
- You also need to print the closing documents out ahead of the signing time. Give yourself plenty of time to review the printed the closing documents. When reviewing the documents start with the instructions.
- Note any special instructions. Will a copy of a photo ID of the borrower be required? How are the signed documents to be returned? Does the lender want the documents scanned or shipped over night? Does a copy of the document need to be printed for the borrower?
- After you have noted any special instructions by the lender, then go through the printed document noting anywhere a signature is require and flag the signature pages accordingly noting all required Notarization.
- Lastly figure out how long it should take to travel to the borrowers home and arrive on time.
When you arrive at the borrower’s home sign and Notarize the closing documents as instructed. Remember that you are only there to witness the borrower signing the documents and Notarize the documents accordingly. You are not there to offer legal advice, or comment on the interest rate, or anything else included in the closing document, You are just there to notarize the closing documents and follow the instructions provided by the lender.
Before leaving the borrower’s home review the documents again to make sure everything was signed and Notarized correctly. This will prevent a second trip to the borrower’s house and will be more convenient to everyone. All that is needed now is to return the documents to the lender on time and according to the lender’s instruction and you will get paid.
The amount you get paid will depend on how far you travel and the urgency. Most of the time the amount will range from $80 to $300 per signing. The $300 amount might be for a signing that you are doing on short notice on a day where your schedule is already packed. The $80 amount might a more notice and time for you to prepare.
What do you need to get started?
- First check with your state for license requirements
- You will need reliable transportation
- You will need internet
- You will need a computer, the correct printer & scanner
- You will need a mobile phone
I am already a Notary Public. How to I get the business?
Start by creating a SEO website. A SEO website is simply a website that has be optimized for search engines. This will get your page near the top in your local area.
Next list your business on Google as a Mobile Notary Service. This will help generate the General Notary Service side of your Mobile Notary Service. Note some clients on the general service side maybe price sensitive. If they think your price is too high then let them go elsewhere for whatever needs to be Notarized. This is because you are going to make a lot of money on the loan closing side of the business and any money that you make on the general services side is just extra money with little or no expense.
After you have listed your business on Google, next sign up on different Mobile Notary Websites. I have listed some below. Most of the time you have to pay to be listed on these sites, but the amount you pay is worth it, because it will send you business.
- Superior Notary Services
- Notary Rotary
- National Notary Association
- Notary Cam
- The Best Notary
- Notary.Net
- Notary Database
- Notary Quest
- Signing Agent
- Signature Closers
- Signing Services of America
- National Loan Closers
As with all businesses and side hustles develop a relationship with your clients. In the Mobile Notary business, the client is who is paying you to Notarize a document. As you grow your relationship, your business will grow too. Always provide excellent service, try to be error free, and follow the instructions. Good luck with your Mobile Notary Business!
