Thinking Outside the Car: A Look at Mobile Notary
Hey Shoppers,
Why not become a mobile notary? Get a Google Voice number and use it for advertising. It’s important that you know when it’s new business calling or texting. My Google Voice number is a lifesaver. A simple and easy-to-read vinyl window advert. Dust off the old Cricut machine. It’s an obtainable and low-entry method to create new income. The National Notary Association is where I suggest you begin your research. I wrote What It Costs to Become a Notary in California here, and I have personally completed the education, twice. I am not a notary today.
Getting your notary license and being mobile (while driving all around town already) can be beneficial to escrow companies that need one right away, or because someone's selling the farm again. Escrow companies have certain bond or company requirements, and those aren't hard to meet either. Attorneys are also good sources of new and reoccurring business. If you speak Spanish, all the better. Any other language, really, but here in the central valley, Spanish is as common as English.
If you dive deeper in education, you can get certified for loan docs through associations, and with today's RON (Remote Online Notary) you might be able to do notary signings in your car with secure internet. I don’t know. It’s just how my brain works.
Here are some pricing things to think about if you’re going to consider it. The National Notary Association is where you’d want to start your inquiries on costs and requirements.
1. State Laws: Most states have regulations that cap how much a notary can charge for their services. For instance, states like California limit the fee to $15 per notarized signature, while others may have different caps. Here is a list of notary fees by State.
2. Travel Distance: If a mobile notary travels to meet the client, they may charge a travel fee. This fee is often based on the distance traveled or a flat fee for travel.
3. Additional Services: Notaries may charge extra for services such as document printing, waiting time, or other administrative tasks beyond notarization.
4. Document Type: Some documents may require more extensive verification or procedures, affecting the overall cost of notarization.
5. Volume Discounts: Regular clients or those with high-volume notarization needs may be eligible for discounts or negotiated rates.
Mobile notary costs can range from a basic state fee (e.g., $15 per signature in California) to $100 or more, depending on the circumstances.
Anyway, that’s all for now. You literally have a lot more opportunities out there, I just don’t have time to write. I need to be shopping. If you become a licensed notary, you’re likely going to make it easier be trusted in your community. Being a notary comes with certain responsibilities that require an enormous amount of trust from all parties. Think about it.
-Jonathan
