Alternate titles:
- How Can You Earn More As A Notary Public?
- What Notary Publics Can Do To Earn More Money
- Earn More Money As A Notary With These Helpful Tips
Meta-description: If you want to earn more as a notary, then there is a lot you can do. From becoming a mobile notary to getting work as a notary signing agent, here is what you can do to earn more.
A notary performs the critical role of being an impartial observer before the signing of legal documents. Certain documents have to be signed in front of a notary public for the agreement to be considered legal. Notaries ensure that all the participants are willing and understand the ramifications of getting into the legal contract.
While you can earn comfortably as a notary, there is a lot you can do to increase your earnings. Here is everything you should know about making more money as a notary.
Who is a notary?
A notary oversees the signing of legal documents. They verify the signers’ identity and ensure that all participants are informed about what they’re doing and are willing participants.
Anyone above the age of eighteen can become a notary. You will have to ensure, however, that you don’t have any prior felony charges. You don’t need to be certified to practice as a notary, but getting certified can open more doors for you. There are two main ways you can make more as a notary. The first of these is to become a mobile notary. The second is to get certified and to practice as a notary signing agent, in addition to offering your standard notary services.
Before you start offering additional services, however, consider making a price sheet for all the services you will offer. This will enable you to negotiate better with your clients when you’re offering extra services. It would be best if you also considered informing your clients ahead of time that you’ll be charging them for additional assistance.
How can you make more money as a mobile notary?
Becoming a mobile notary essentially means that you’ll be offering notary services outside office hours and outside the office. You can visit the client at their home, outside, or even in a different state. This allows you to expand your consumer group to people who may have been unwilling or unable to visit you in the office.
And the good news is that you can charge people for the extra work that you do. If you need to travel somewhere to perform your notary services, then you’ll be able to charge for the travel cost. You can also charge for other services, such as photocopying, faxing, performing concierge services, and more.
As a mobile notary, you can charge a flat fee, or per mile you need to travel. While in some states, you can charge your travel rates. Others impose a restriction on how much you can charge. It’s always a good idea to follow the IRS’ recommended rate of $5.75 cents per mile you travel. Some states may dictate how much you can charge. For example, in Maryland, you can set up to $5.31 cents per mile you need to travel for work.
Here is a complete list of everything you can charge for as a mobile notary:
- Packing and sending couriers for clients.
- Performing field inspections regarding a project you’re working on.
- Doing photocopies for the client or sending faxes to them.
- Performing personal concierge services for the client.
- Performing Form I-9 services. This service is restricted in the state of California to people who have been qualified and are bonded, immigration consultants.
How can you earn more as a notary signing agent?
You’ll need to go through several steps before you can become a notary signing agent. The first of these involves a background check, and the second is getting certified. A notary signing agent performs additional services to what you can already do as a notary. These include notarizing loan documents, as well as courier loan packages.
A notary signing agent can be for lenders, as well as title signing companies. Owing to the nature of the profession, that is, the need to handle personal client information, background checks are performed. Once you’ve passed the background check, then you have to apply for notary signing agent certification. One way to get certified is from the National Notary Association. They offer online courses, and you can take your course while working as a notary.
Once you’ve cleared your exam, you can start working as a notary signing agent. You should note that some states require you to have a title insurance license before they allow you to work as a notary signing agent. Other states have more restrictions. This is why it’s always a good idea to check the local state laws and ensure that you’re abiding by them.
A notary signing agent is essentially a part of the mortgage industry. This means that the rules and regulations that apply to the mortgage industry will also apply to you. Since these rules change from state to state, it’s always good to consider checking state laws.
Once you have your certification, the next step is to let people know that you offer these services.
Bonus: Increase earnings by being a wedding officiant
There are only four states in the US where a notary can also work as a wedding officiant. These include Florida, Nevada, Maine, and South Carolina. Some other states may also allow you to be a wedding officiant. You’ll need to check your state’s laws to know for sure.
Marketing your services to increase your earnings
Simply offering notary services isn’t enough to get more clients; you’ll need to market your services as well. Consider creating a website for yourself, where you list out all the services you offer. Ensuring you’re listing in local and internet listings can help you generate more leads.
You can also build an emailing list that includes all your clients. Send them a mail from time to time to let them know that you’re available. Even sending an email or a newsletter can help you get returning customers.
Also, remember not to turn down a job just because it seems small. Debt settlements and structured settlements are examples of the kind of work that doesn’t require a lot of effort on your part. That’s why you should consider doing all the work that is presented to you. This will help you develop your professional reputation and can provide you with returning clients as well.
Making more money as a notary is dependent on how much additional work you’re willing to do, as well as how well you market your services.
Conclusion
These tips will enable you to make more money as a notary. Consider letting your clients know ahead of time that you charge extra for additional services. You can also provide them with your charge sheet to help you during your price negotiations. Always remember to check your local and state laws regarding the kind of services you can offer, what you can charge, and what certifications you need.
As a notary, you should also consider protecting yourself against common career risks. From getting sued by a client to business disruptions, you never know what you might face. That’s where notary public insurance can help you. If you want to learn more about notary public e & o insurance, then click here.
