{"id":5996,"date":"2024-09-18T11:46:31","date_gmt":"2024-09-18T15:46:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/?p=5996"},"modified":"2024-09-18T11:46:35","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T15:46:35","slug":"thinking-of-becoming-a-notary-heres-what-its-like-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/thinking-of-becoming-a-notary-heres-what-its-like-today\/","title":{"rendered":"Thinking of Becoming a Notary? Here\u2019s What It\u2019s Like Today."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Could becoming a notary be a job? A gig? An asset to bring to potential employers? A way to help people? Your entrance into the fast-evolving area of digital closings<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may wonder if obtaining a notary commission is worth the cost, time, and effort. Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

An Option for Entrepreneurs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, you can make notarial services your main business \u2014 or at least a second job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plenty of people run small businesses as certified loan signing agents<\/a>, for example. If you opt to create a mobile notary startup, you don\u2019t even need to have a brick-and-mortar office. But you do need equipment. Today\u2019s notary startups advertise their online notary software, advanced scanners and laser printers, tablets and mobile hotspots, and eFax offerings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you start up a mobile notary service, lawyers and title companies may call on you to notarize signings at people\u2019s homes or offices, or at medical and assisted-living sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But is the work regular and the income sustainable? Not necessarily as an only job. And the state\u2019s Notary Public Act might put a cap on how much you can charge. That\u2019s why a notary might have a \u201cday job\u201d and moonlight as a loan signing agent, making house calls when refinancing homeowners close on their loans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, it\u2019s possible that managers at your \u201cday job\u201d have legal papers to be signed, and that can be another way into the notary role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is There a Notary in the House?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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At many kinds of workplaces, legal documents need notarizations. This brings the notary in contact with the people handling the legal and financial tasks for a company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some companies pay for employees to get commissions and renewals and take on notary roles in addition to their core job descriptions. This is a cost-free way to test the waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, notary licensing can strengthen an application for HR and related positions. Retirement forms, loan documents, benefit distributions, waivers, compliance statements \u2014 any of these could require notarized signatures. Healthcare-related workplaces could also need notaries, to verify such things as medical credentials or patient forms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or you may find work at an office that prepares deeds, liens, easements, purchase agreements, or other legal instruments for the county records. Title transfers can become a source of regular work for an independent notary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, notary capabilities may be helpful to you, to your co-workers, and to clients. And this is knowledge you can take with you if you leave your company. If you\u2019re an entrepreneur, having a notary public in your startup can be a serious time-saver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it Hard to Become a Notary?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It depends on your county and state of residence. To take Bucks County, Pennsylvania<\/a> as an example, you must be an adult who lives or works in Pennsylvania, \u201cof good character, integrity and ability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some states make courses and tests mandatory. Often, these consist of simple, pre-recorded materials, and quick, straightforward exams. Some states (such as Idaho and Texas) simply require a form and a fee. At the other end of the spectrum is New York, which has more complicated paperwork and testing. Other \u201cexceptionally strict<\/a>\u201d states are California, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To take your oath, you\u2019ll go to the office of your local Recorder of Deeds with a photo ID. You\u2019ll sign your signature card, and record a bond (more on this below). Appointments may be necessary. What\u2019s the cost hurdle? Consider a typical notary applicant in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The applicant will pay $43 to the Recorder of Deeds for processing, while total costs of becoming a notary<\/a> run about $400.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Governments do change their notary fees, laws, and procedures from time to time, as well as their recordkeeping rules. Does your state put limits on the fees you\u2019ll be charging? Take a look. To get the current low-down on county and state rules, call the office of your local Recorder of Deeds, and visit the website for the Secretary of State in your state of residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did the Pandemic Change Notarizations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oh, yes. Today, remote online notarization<\/a> is widely performed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A typical state now allows three methods of notarization:<\/p>\n\n\n\n