How common are notaries?
Asked by: Nedra Hill | Last update: December 26, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (5 votes)
The highpoint is Florida, with 19.0 notaries for every 1,000 people in the state. Kansas (16.4), Texas (15.1), North Dakota (15.1), and Maine (14.8) also have high numbers of notaries per 1,000 people.
Do people still use Notaries?
Despite technological advancements, traditional in-person notarization continues to hold significant importance due to its established trust and legal recognition.
Is it hard to get business as a notary?
You can earn extra money as a notary if you know and follow the notary laws correctly, have a potential market of customers and have marketing skills to attract customers, and provide excellent customer service. It also depends on how much competition there is in your market. It is not difficult to become a notary.
Is it stressful to be a notary?
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 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.
The Most Common Types of Notarizations
Are Notaries personally liable?
Violations and unlawful acts of official misconduct create civil liability for the notary public. A notary is liable to the person involved for all damages caused by his or her notarial misconduct.
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 type of personality does a notary have?
Extraversion: Notaries don't necessarily need to be extraverted, but they do need to be comfortable interacting with people. They must be able to communicate effectively and build trust with their clients. Agreeableness: Notaries need to be approachable and easy to work with.
How much does a notary make per signing?
In California, notaries can charge $15 per notarial act.
Is notary a side hustle?
Why becoming a Notary is the ultimate side gig. Whether you're looking for a way to work from home or a part-time job to get you out of the house, you should consider becoming a Notary first. A Notary commission can open the door to more than a dozen additional money-making opportunities.
What are the risks of being a notary?
Notaries may also have to deal with different forms of documentation and people, which may cause confusion and increase the chances of making a mistake that could result in a lawsuit.
What type of notary makes the most money?
#1: Loan Signing Agent
One of the most lucrative ways to make money as a notary public is by becoming a loan signing agent. Signing agents are responsible for guiding borrowers through the process of closing a mortgage loan, ensuring that all paperwork is properly signed and notarized.
Are notaries respected?
As representatives of the state, Notaries must perform their official duties with respect and seriousness for the public service role they play as a trusted, impartial witness.
Do notaries work from home?
A legitimate work-from-home job in 40 states
Traditionally, Notaries would meet with signers in person to perform notarial acts. However, it's now possible to provide Notary services online thanks to remote online notarization (RON) laws.
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.
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.
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 does notary go pay?
Primary agents get paid weekly. How is my payment sent? All checks are sent to the email we have on file as an e-check.
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.
Who needs a notary the most?
- New and used car dealerships.
- Insurance companies.
- Mortgage companies.
- Title companies.
- Corporations — of any type.
- Real-estate companies.
- Construction companies.
- Schools — public or private of all levels.
How do Notaries find jobs?
- Become approved by your state. ...
- Look for job openings in your community. ...
- Advertise your services. ...
- Tell people you're a notary. ...
- Attend networking events. ...
- Post a profile on an official community notary page or website. ...
- Talk to other notaries.
What is your greatest strength in notary public?
What are the most important Notary Public job skills to have on my resume? The most common important skills required by employers are Legal Deed, Detail Oriented, Affidavit, Multi Tasking, Legal Documents, Communication Skills and Collaboration.
How to list notary on resume with no experience?
Under certificates or licenses
The most common place to list your notary status is in your certificates and licenses section. List your status as noted above, including location and expiration date, and include any additional certificates, such as certified notary signing agent or eNotary.
How often do notaries make mistakes?
Notary mistakes and errors increase the number of rejected documents. Most rejected documents contain minor or major notarization mistakes. On average, 30% of notarized documents contain mistakes. But depending on your county and state, this rejection rate can vary.
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.