Can I use my notary outside of work?
Asked by: Noemi Miller II | Last update: December 29, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (13 votes)
Yes. You are allowed to notarize documents after working hours. Even if your employer paid the costs of your Notary commission, the commission belongs to you, not your employer. There are a number of opportunities to become a mobile Notary or Notary Signing Agent.
Can I notarize outside of work?
It's not an obligation to serve the public. During your working hours your obligation is to your employer. You can just as easily choose to act as a notary to the public during your non-work hours.
What is a notary prohibited from?
Notaries cannot authenticate or validate objects. Notaries cannot give advice or opinions that should be given by an attorney—this is unlicensed practice of law.
What type 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.
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.
Notaries Can Use NOTARY QUEST To Find WORK
What makes a notary invalid?
Missing or Incorrect Notary Seal
States like California and Texas have specific requirements for the placement and design of the seal. Without a proper seal, legal and financial institutions may reject the document.
Can I use white-out on a notarized document?
Using White-Out
The use of white-out and other products designed to “cover up” text is often viewed as tampering; therefore, the receiving agent may reject any notarized documents containing it. If a notary public makes a mistake (it's bound to happen at some point), he or she should use a blank document in its place.
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.
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.
What can notaries not charge for?
Some states prohibit their notaries from charging or collecting a fee for notarizing a signature on any absentee ballot or absentee voter registration.
Why not to be a notary?
You may not enjoy a steady source of income
As a self-employed notary, enjoying a steady source of income may be difficult. This is because the flow of jobs may be unpredictable and estimating how often your clients will need your services may be difficult.
Can notaries swear people in?
2093. (a) Every court, every judge, or clerk of any court, every justice, and every notary public, and every officer or person authorized to take testimony in any action or proceeding, or to decide upon evidence, has the power to administer oaths or affirmations.
Can I do notary work on the side?
There are no educational requirements, but some states, including California and New York, require notaries to take a training course and pass an hour-long exam. Other states might also require you to pass a background check and file a surety bond as part of the process (you can check your state's rules here).
Can you work remotely as a notary?
But there's a difference between electronic and remote notary services. For example, California allows electronic notary services and electronic signatures, but hasn't legalized remote notarization yet.
Can I notarize something for my boss?
Can an employee notarize documents for an employer? Yes. A notary public who will not benefit from the transaction in excess of his normal salary and benefits can notarize the signature of his or her employer.
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.
What is the day in the life of a notary?
Notaries frequently meet clients at various locations, including offices, homes, and even public places like coffee shops. Each meeting typically involves verifying the identity of the signer, ensuring that all documents are complete and accurate, and witnessing the signing process.
Do you tip a notary?
Just like money tips, the recommended ethical practice for other types of gifts and gratuities is not to accept them. Guiding Principle II-A-3 of The Notary Public Code of Professional Responsibility of 2020 recommends Notaries should not accept any gifts, gratuities or donations.
Does being a notary look good on a resume?
The second reason is that being a notary public looks good on your resume, particularly if you work in a field like real estate or banking where certain documents will need a notary's signature to be considered valid and binding.
How to work as a mobile notary?
To become a mobile notary, meet your state's requirements, complete necessary education and training, pass a notary exam if needed, and obtain a notary bond and insurance. Finally, apply for a notary commission, focusing on developing strong customer service skills.
What color should you notarize in?
Notarizing: Although there is no law about which ink color should be used to notarize documents (in fact, a law requiring that notary public signatures be in black was repealed in 20131) most notaries prefer blue ink. It's easy to tell an original from a copy.
What happens if a notary makes a mistake?
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 if I stamp my notary upside down?
Documents containing upside down, blurred, or partial Notary seal or stamp impressions are likely to get rejected.