Are all Notaries the same?
Asked by: Willow Harber | Last update: July 2, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (55 votes)
While every type of Notary Public shares the same core duties, the format of the documents they notarize and the location where the transaction occurs are the biggest differences between them. Traditional Notaries and Mobile Notaries may perform in-person electronic notarizations (IPEN).
Is there a difference in notaries?
All Signing Agents are notaries, but not all notaries are Signing Agents; it's like how all circles are shapes, but not all shapes are circles. To become a Signing Agent you must be a commissioned notary public in your state.
What is the most common mistake made by a notary?
One of the most common mistakes that notaries make is not printing or signing their name exactly as it appears on their notary commission.
Do notaries differ by state?
Notary laws vary by state in areas such as commission requirements, types of notarial acts permitted, and methods of notarization. For instance, some states allow notaries to perform electronic notarizations, while others only recognize traditional ink signatures.
How much do most notaries charge?
Notarization fees are regulated by California state law and are generally low-cost. So how much does a notary charge? In most cases, a California notary public may charge a maximum notary fee of $15 for each signature. This includes writing the certificate, affixing the notary stamp, and acknowledging the signature.
How to notarize multiple document signers (not all are present)
Where is the cheapest place to get a notary?
Banks, universities, and hospitals often provide free notarization services for their clients or those in need. Q2. How can I get documents notarized at a low cost? Consider low-cost options like the post office, law firms, or online notary services like BlueNotary for affordable rates.
Does it matter what state your notary is from?
Can a Notary Legally Notarize Out-of-State Documents? Yes, a notary public can legally notarize documents from any state as long as the notarial act occurs in the state in which they were commissioned.
What is the hardest state to become a notary?
New York. New York has one of the toughest tests to become a Notary. The Empire State requires Notary applicants to take and pass an exam in order to receive a commission.
What state do notaries make the most money?
California is the highest paying state in the U.S. when it comes to being a notary public. The average salary of a notary public in California is $59,055.
What are the downsides of being a notary?
- Steady income can be difficult.
- You could be sued for a lot of money.
- Upstart and upkeep costs can add up.
Can you notarize a signature without the person present?
To notarize a document, the signers must be present at the time of notarization. While you can notarize an acknowledgment document that has been previously signed in some cases, the signer must still be present at the time of notarization to confirm the validity of their signature.
What happens if you do a notary wrong?
What happens if a notary makes a mistake? The National Notary Association suggests that even the smallest mistake could have dire consequences. The notarized document could get rejected. A mistake that results in a rejection can result in late fees and penalties on the part of the client.
What makes a notary valid?
A notarized document must include the notary's signature. Without this, the document lacks authentication, making it invalid. Notaries must sign each document they notarize to confirm they've verified the identities of the signers and witnessed the act of signing.
What types of notaries make the most money?
Specialize in real estate closings
Make money as a notary public by becoming a loan signing agent and specializing in notarizing real estate documents. Loan signings are often more complex and command higher fees.
Does a notary stamp each signature?
Once identities have been verified, the notary leads each signer through the document and observes them making each required signature, initial or other mark. Once all signatures have been observed, the notary stamps each signature made by each signer with a custom stamp unique to them.
Is notary a stressful job?
Working as a Notary is flexible, rewarding and provides a valuable service to the public — but no one ever said it's a cakewalk. Notaries face many sources of stress on the job, including angry customers, illegal requests, irregular work hours and more.
Is it hard to get business as a notary?
It's not instant and it's not easy. Few Notaries find high-paying and rewarding work when first starting out. A crucial part of getting business is finding and introducing yourself to potential customers. While every Notary's community is different, here are some good places to get started.
Is there a demand for online notaries?
States such as California and Texas often see higher demand, increasing the potential for new notaries to secure more jobs. With an average of 5-10 notarizations per day, a notary in these states could earn between $125 and $500 daily.
How long does notary take?
In most situations, notaries can typically process a document within 10-15 minutes, including verifying your identification, any required signatures on the documents, administering oaths if needed, and recordkeeping.
Can notaries work in different states?
For example, some states (e.g., California) limit notaries to perform only within their home state borders, while others (e.g., Montana) may allow broader authority under certain conditions.
Can I transfer my notary to another state?
The answer generally is “no” — Notary commissions are not transferable between states. If you are relocating to another state, you need to resign your current commission and apply for a Notary commission in your new state.
Is notary a good side hustle?
A Notary commission can open the door to more than a dozen additional money-making opportunities. Being a Notary shows that you have integrity and it establishes a level of trust that gives you a leg up on your competition — even if you're not directly using your commission for every freelance job that comes your way.
Can I be a notary part time?
It is simple, the start-up cost is fairly low and you can work either part-time or full-time. Mobile Notaries travel to signers' locations to notarize documents. They earn money by charging a fee for the notarization up to the limit allowed by their state's law.
Where are notaries needed the most?
Banks, Mortgage Lenders, and Other Financial Institutions
As we pointed out, loan and mortgage documents require signature verification. The same goes for other financial agreements as well. That means financial institutions will need notary services on a regular basis.