How To Become a Mobile Notary ?

Have you ever filled out an essential document for which you need notarization? Typically, you do this by seeking out a state-appointed official to act as an impartial witness for the execution of certain documents, such as property deeds and wills. A Mobile Notary is the same as a public notary, but they come to you when you need their services.

And mobile notaries are in demand now more than ever. If you’re looking to take advantage of this demand and earn extra income with a part-time or part-time job, you should find out what it takes to become a mobile notary. You’ll be surprised how easy the process can be and how much money you can earn.

What’s a Mobile Notary?

Mobile notaries are hired to ensure that the right people sign essential documents without coercion or intimidation. In other words, the person signing the paper is not coerced by anyone.

Mobile notaries also verify that the signers know what they’re signing. One of their goals is to ensure there’s no fraud in certain transactions. Mobile notaries are also called public notaries.

Unlike traditional notaries who stay in a specific location, such as an office or service center, including some UPS store locations, mobile notaries move between locations and often travel directly to their clients. This service usually costs extra for the client but can be more convenient in certain situations.

For example, suppose more people stay home because of the COVID -19 pandemic. In that case, it might make more sense to hire a mobile notary to come to them instead of driving to a public location.

Who Can Be a Notary?

The qualifications for a new notary public depend on the state in which you live. Each state has its notary laws, which can affect the speed of the process. Below are some general requirements to keep in mind:

• You must be a resident of the state in which you live
• You must be at least 18 years old
• You must be able to read, write and understand English
• You must be a U.S. citizen or a legal resident of the U.S
• You must pass a background check
• You must complete a training course and pass an examination

Keep in mind that the requirements depend on where you live. If you want to check the specific qualifications for your state, search online for “How to become a Notary” and enter your form at the end. Remember that you’ll usually need to apply and pay an application fee to become a notary public.

Aside from the requirements, you should also consider other details about becoming a mobile notary. Since mobile notaries usually travel to their clients, you’ll need a reliable means of transportation to get around.

It also won’t hurt to be a detail-oriented person, as you’ll be dealing with necessary documents. You should know how these documents work and what information you need to review. It’s recommended (and sometimes required) that notaries keep a detailed log, called a notary journal, of all appointments and business transactions. This way, you’ve evidence of your actions that can protect you from potential lawsuits.

It probably doesn’t make sense to become a mobile notary public if you don’t have reliable transportation, don’t have a flexible schedule for completing notarial tasks or don’t want to be around other people frequently. However, if you’ve good client relations skills and feel that this job could be a good fit, you don’t need much to get started.

How to Become a Mobile Notary?

The process to become a mobile notary public is relatively straightforward, although how long it takes will likely depend on the state where you live and your state’s requirements. Here’s a general overview of the first steps:

1. Meet your state’s requirements. Generally, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and sufficiently proficient in English.
2. You must be a resident of the state in which you’re applying. This requirement may vary from state to state. Still, generally, you must be a legal resident or work in the state where you want to become a notary public. You must also maintain your permanent residence or place of employment.
3. You must undergo a background check. it is a mandatory part of the application process to become a notary public in many states. It often checks to see if you’ve any criminal convictions or felonies that could conflict with your duties as a notary public.
4. Take a class. Some states require you to take a training course before submitting your application. You can usually find information about approved courses on your state’s notary public website.
5. Pass an exam. You may be required to take a test or exam that relates to your duties as a notary public. You may have to pay for the exam if it is required in your state.
6. Obtain a notarized bond. In many states, you must acquire a notarial bond, a notary letter or surety bond, before becoming a notary public. These surety bonds are designed to ensure that you comply with the laws of your state and agree to perform your duties ethically. Suppose you fail to adhere to these standards and cause financial harm to one of your clients. In that case, the surety bond protects the injured client financially up to the full amount of the bond. Some notaries purchase errors and omissions insurance (also known as E&O insurance) in addition to their bonds. E&O insurance can help cover your costs if someone claims your bond.
7. Submit your application. To be considered for a position as a notary public, you must complete and apply, sometimes with required documents such as a signed oath of office. Often your application will need to be notarized before you can submit it, and you’ll likely need to pay an application fee.

After you’ve gone through the required steps in your state and submitted your application, you must wait for your application to be processed. If all goes well, you’ll receive your notary certificate within a few weeks and be a commissioned notary public. Remember that your commission often has an expiration date, so you’ll need to renew it or reapply when it expires.

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How to start your Own Mobile Notary Business

Once you submit your application and become a notary public, it’s time to get to work. Or rather, it’s time to start your mobile notary business by finding some clients. And yes, you will need to find clients. Unfortunately, you probably will not get a ready-made list of clients to work with once you become a notary public. Becoming a successful mobile notary takes some work.

So how do you get started? Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Networking: The best way to get your name out there is to let everyone know about your new business and the capabilities you offer. It does not mean you have to get in people’s faces in a pushy way, but it might make sense to talk to friends, family members, and acquaintances.
• Purchase Notary Essentials: To keep things organized and running smoothly at the notary’s office, you’ll want to purchase a few utensils that are part of the initial cost. These could include a notary journal, a notary stamp and ink, a printer and other supplies. It might also be wise to have business cards if you find good opportunities to hand them out. Since you’ll likely be doing a lot of driving between appointments, ensure you have adequate car insurance to protect yourself financially. To find out what options are available in your area, visit our page on the best car insurance.
• Create a Profile: If you want to be taken seriously and have more ways for people to find your business, you should create a website or pay someone to create one for you. It can be simple and factual, showcase your services, and include contact information. You may also want to set up an appointment scheduling system so your customers can make appointments.
• Market Yourself: In addition to handing out business cards and building a website, you may want to post on social media, join related Facebook groups and run local ads. It might also be helpful to reach out to professionals, such as lenders, real estate agents and managers, insurance providers, attorneys and real estate firms. The more you publicize your business, the more likely you find customers.
• Consider becoming a notary public representative: NSAs, sometimes called loan signing agents, are notaries who meet the requirements for notarizing loan closing documents. It could help you get more business. Requirements for becoming an NSA vary from state to state and may include additional training or licensing, as loan documents can be extremely complex.
• Track Everything: It includes recording all of your appointments in your notary journal, your business expenses, and the miles you drive your vehicle for business. Even if you consider this a sideline, it is still a business and your taxes will likely need to be handled differently than a W-2 job.

How Much Can You Earn as a Mobile Notary?

One of the most important aspects of learning how to make money with a new business or side job is knowing how much you can earn. After all, if you invest time, effort, and money into learning new skills and acquiring the tools you need, you want to know that it will be worth it.

Fortunately, working as a mobile notary can be rewarding, whether you consider it a sideline, a part-time job, or full-time. In many cases, it makes sense to start slowly, learn the ropes, and then grow the business as you get a feel for the industry and gain more experience.

Overall, many notaries charge between $75 and $200 per appointment. it depends on various factors, such as where you live, how much demand there’s, and the specifics of each appointment. Many states have set fees that notaries can charge for certain tasks. If your state has a set fee for a task, you can usually charge up to that amount for that particular notarial act.

Let’s say you make about $75 per appointment and have four appointments per week, which is less than one appointment per average workday. Over a month (four weeks), you could earn $1,200 at this rate. If you make more than $200 and have four weekly appointments, that’s $3,200 in one month. That would range from $14,400 to $38,400 per year.

Of course, you can make more or less money than these examples. Remember that it usually takes some time to find work as a mobile notary – you often need to build a large network and market yourself. But for many experienced notaries, it’s a lucrative and fulfilling profession, and some turn it into a full-time job and their own business.

FAQs

1. Is there a demand for mobile notaries?
   The demand for mobile notaries has increased in recent years due to the COVID -19 pandemic. This is likely due to a major shift toward flexible and decentralized work, which has led to more home improvement projects and other financial decisions requiring notarization. In addition, many notary locations have closed, leading people to search online for mobile notary services.
2. How much do mobile notaries charge?
   How much a mobile notary charges depends on how far it travels and how many documents they have to notarize. It’s not uncommon for a mobile notary to charge between $75 and $200, depending on these factors and where you live and the type of documents to be notarized.
3. How much education is required to become a mobile notary?
   The requirements to become a mobile notary vary from state to state, but in some states the process can take a few weeks or less depending on the processing time. In some states, you will need to pass an exam and undergo a background check, while in others you may need to complete a special training course before applying.

Reference:

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notary_public