Why become notary public

Some states, like California, place restrictions and additional requirements on who can perform this role. Becoming a notary signing agent is one of the most common ways notaries increase their marketability and income.

To become a notary signing or loan signing agent, the following is recommended:. As long as the housing market is booming, notary signing agents will be in high demand. Notaries who work directly with escrow officers, title agents, lenders, and real estate agents will make more than those who work for loan signing service providers. Before expanding your services, research what is required by your state, get the right training, and approach new services with caution. With more complex signings and services comes greater responsibilities and risks.

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. Mistakes could result in a lawsuit, and the more intensive a signing is, the greater the chances of making a mistake.

For instance, a loan signing package may contain hundreds of pages of financial documents totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Any misstep could mean the notary is to blame for the financial loss. Even when no mistake has been made by the notary, they may still be sued by a disgruntled client. Becoming a notary and sustaining a notary business comes with costs. The obvious initial costs will include:. There are additional business costs that might not be so obvious at first glance.

Training to become a better notary should also be a part of your ongoing budget. Many notaries often feel underprepared by the basic required courses, so consider enhancing your knowledge by joining online communities for notaries, joining the National Notary Association , going to conferences for notaries, and attending advanced courses and seminars. While the cons may seem intimidating at first, they are fairly easy to navigate.

The pros of being a notary greatly outweigh the cons. Here are a few:. To qualify as a commissioned notary, most states simply require that you are:. As we mentioned previously, the initial costs are pretty low. As a notary, you have the option to create and run your own business. Becoming a signing agent provides an excellent opportunity for you to achieve your income goals.

Working the hours you choose, you can earn just as much as people who work at an office more than 40 hours per week. But it takes drive and resilience to succeed as a signing agent.

Your money-making potential will depend on the effort you put in. Expect to travel frequently as you advertise your services, complete transactions, and grow your network of clients. Signing agents grow and learn with each transaction. Your certification course will provide the basic knowledge and tools you need to do the job, but you'll also develop vital professional skills through experience.

You will learn how to market your business successfully and build strong relationships with clients. An NSA is a trained and certified professional that handles the notarization of loan documents in real estate closings.

For the mortgage finance industry, NSAs serve as the critical final link between the banks and the borrower to complete the loan. They are hired directly by title companies and signing services as independent contractors to ensure that real estate loan documents are signed by the borrower, notarized, and returned for processing. Notaries make a considerable amount of extra income from this line of mortgage finance work, in addition to their work as a mobile Notary.

Notaries are in high demand in a variety of industries, including banking, finance, medical, legal, government, insurance, technology … the list goes on. In fact, just about every industry uses the services of Notaries, so becoming one will add to your marketable skill sets, improve your resume and increase your value as an employee. In the workplace, Notaries serve two general functions: Notarizing documents in the back office for co-workers and bosses or notarizing for customers in a bank or their local photocopy and shipping shop.

Many employers value employees with Notary skills to handle their document authentication needs and provide customers with top-notch service. It's a perfect line of work for home-based entrepreneurs, moonlighters, stay-at-home parents who can do mobile notarizations in the evening or anyone looking to make some additional income. Many people who need notarizations request them after normal business hours, so you can make the most of your evenings, or arrange a time that's right for you.

Additional Resources: Alternate Income Opportunities. America's Notaries Public are known for their spirit of helping those in need. If you are the type of person who enjoys giving back to your community, being a Notary is a great way to support that passion.