Essential Tips For Starting A Notary Business

Starting a notary business is an exciting moment as you embark on your journey of becoming a Notary Public. It is also likely a time full of questions and maybe a little nervousness too. Not to worry, as you learn how to conduct notary signings and get a few of them under your belt it will feel like an old hat! But, like most, you may start your journey not knowing exactly how to get started or what direction to go in.

Starting a Notary Business

Before you get started, reach out to your Secretary of State’s office or Town Clerk depending on your state. This will help you understand your state’s requirements, how long the process takes and costs associated with obtaining your commission as a Notary Public. Because the process is different in every state, these things will vary. Also, know that most states require applicants to be 18 years of age and a legal resident with no criminal background.

Loan Signing Services

First, let’s look at the most popular services notaries provide besides general notary work. Specializing in a variety of notary services will help you expand your revenue stream. Becoming a notary loan signing agent is an opportunity to work with signing companies or title companies to conduct loan signings. Because notary loan signing agents are specialists and what is required of them is more robust than a general notary work, they command a higher payment than general notary work. The average loan signing assignment ranges from $75 to $200 per appointment.

Notarize for Inmates

Additionally, understanding the process of inmate notarizations will allow you to command a higher fee. Notarizing a document for an inmate at a correctional facility is not any different than general notary work but it does take time and preparation on your part. Another way to diversify your revenue stream is providing Apostille services. While a notary cannot issue an apostille, the way you earn income is by assisting your client in getting their documents accepted by the issuing government agency.

Image of a Caucasian women who is a licensed Notary shaking hands with a bearded man who is a lawyer, the woman has a blue suit jacket on with white lines forming squares, she has blue eyes, and is smiling as they finalize the deal on starting a notary business.

Opportunities for Non-Notary Services

When you are starting a notary service, there are also non-notary services that you can provide. You will find a lot of notaries also become wedding officiants. Some states don’t require you to be a notary while others authorize commissioned notaries to perform marriages and dictate fees. Field inspection services are another income stream that notaries commonly offer.. Field inspectors are asked to ascertain and document property information. Another common service is a legal courier. A legal courier is delivering documents that contain sensitive information to either courts or other law firms. All of these services allow for you to control your schedule and work independently.

Promoting your Notary Business

Growing your notary business based on the types of customers you have will help you be effective with your marketing. You want to market to your customers in a variety of ways because your customers prefer to contact your business in different ways. Some ideas to get your business name out there is to target your marketing to that specific customer. If it’s loan signing work, go visit escrow or attorney offices and introduce yourself. If it is officiating weddings, leave your flyers at City Hall.

If you are looking to expand your business, invest in your print marketing and a website. These are business drivers. Then ask for reviews! Every single time you work with a client, ask for a review and get that review out on your social media and website. It will help drive your business.

Image of a Caucasian woman with long brown hair, wearing a brown fuzzy jacket on a cell phone talking outside of a court house discussing with someone how she is starting a notary business.

Get involved in the Community

Promote your business by getting out into your community. Join the local Chamber of Commerce or offer free notary services once a month at a local senior center. Have a leave behind. I always leave my logo branded pens with my clients or hand them out when I am out and about. That pen will circle more than a business card will! Word of mouth goes a long way so getting in front of people is just as important as digital marketing. Make sure that your business is in every notary directory you can find. If people are searching for a notary in your area you want to be on those directories. Having a google business profile helps with that.

Notaries have lots of opportunities to perform many different roles in their community. Build your business by serving your community. Get involved in local community events, organizations and/or volunteer. Share your special skills and services and watch your business grow!

Thank you for reading, please checkout our entire series on how to start a notary business.

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