How do you stop being a notary?
Asked by: Luciano Howell | Last update: January 28, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (5 votes)
To stop being a notary, you must formally resign by notifying your state's commissioning agency (usually the Secretary of State) in writing, destroying your official seal (stamp/embosser) so it's unusable, and delivering your notary journal (record book) to the county recorder or clerk's office within a specific timeframe (often 30 days). The process involves specific forms and steps, varying slightly by state, but always focusing on official notification, record disposal, and seal destruction.
How do I resign my notary public commission?
Some states may allow or require the resignation to be sent through an online portal established to administer Notary commissions. In California, Notaries Public are required to notify the Secretary of State in writing, stating their intention to resign.
What are the downsides of being a notary?
Disadvantages of being a notary include inconsistent income, high liability for errors, significant startup and maintenance costs (fees, bond, E&O insurance), the challenge of building a client base, strict legal restrictions (no UPL), dealing with difficult clients or requests, and potential for emotionally taxing situations, all while facing intense competition for low-paying gigs.
How long do you stay a notary?
In most states, a notary public commission lasts for four years. But some states have longer or shorter terms. For example, in Florida, a notary's commission lasts for four years. But in California, it's a six-year term.
Can your job force you to become a notary?
What you describe does not sound like prohibited discrimination or retaliation. While the employer cannot force you to become a notary, the employer can terminate you if you fail or refuse to conform to your new job description and duties. You, of course, always have the option of finding a different job. Good luck.
Top 10 NOTARY RULES to Prevent a LAWSUIT/Illegal Activity
Is notary a stressful job?
Yes, being a notary can be stressful due to high stakes, difficult clients, legal complexities, and the pressure of running a business, but it's manageable with proper skills, organization, and boundaries, offering rewards like flexibility and independence. Common stressors include handling illegal requests, dealing with angry or difficult signers, balancing work/life, building a client base, and navigating inconsistent income, especially in competitive markets.
Can I refuse to notarize?
In order to properly refuse a notarization, you should have one or more reasons to do so that can be objectively articulated in your journal. In other words, you should be able to explain why you are refusing to notarize. If you can't explain it, then you don't have a sufficient basis to do it.
Can you live off being a notary?
Not every NSA or mobile Notary wants to make it a full-time career. In fact, more than 61 percent notarize as a part-time gig. But even part-timers report they are doing well, reporting earnings ranging from anywhere as low as a few hundred dollars to $20,000 a month from notarizations.
What is the most common mistake made by a notary?
The most common and serious mistake a notary makes is failing to ensure the signer personally appears before them, which is a legal violation and can lead to fraud and major penalties, but other frequent errors involve incomplete or incorrect notarial certificates, such as missing dates, improper seal placement, illegible stamps, mismatched names, or attaching the wrong certificate type, all of which can invalidate the document.
What type of notary makes the most money?
The type of notary that generally makes the most money is a Notary Signing Agent (NSA), specializing in real estate loan documents, earning $75-$200 per complex signing, followed by Mobile Notaries who charge travel fees and specialized Remote Online Notaries (RONs), but NSAs have the highest potential due to the volume and complexity of mortgage signings, with some reaching six figures annually with experience, high-level marketing, and handling various loan packages (purchases, refinances, HELOCs).
Will notaries be replaced by AI?
The Bottom Line. AI is a powerful resource, but it will never replace the personal involvement of a commissioned notary public. Notaries must continue to follow the laws and rules that govern their role, personally carrying out each step of a notarization.
Is it worth it to become a notary?
Make a viable income
Whether you decide to become a full-time or part-time Notary, being a Notary allows you to make additional income you wouldn't have otherwise. While notarization fees are set by state governments, fees for extra services are up to the Notary.
Why do notaries get sued?
1- Notarizing for someone who isn't present at the time
Engaging in such practices exposes the notary to significant legal risks, including criminal charges for fraud, revocation of their notary commission, and civil liability for damages resulting from reliance on the notarized document.
Can a notary be commissioned for life?
In some states, the notary commission does not expire.
If you're commissioned in a state where notaries are commissioned for life, you can enter in any date you'd like. Usually, notaries choose to select the date that's furthest in the future.
Do I legally have to give 4 weeks notice?
No, in most U.S. states, you are not legally required to give four weeks' notice (or even two) because of "at-will" employment, meaning you or your employer can end the relationship anytime; however, an employment contract or collective bargaining agreement might legally mandate a longer notice period, and failing to give notice can damage professional relationships or affect references, with penalties like forfeiting paid time off possible if a contract is breached.
What happens if I don't turn in my notary book?
Willful failure to deliver journals to the county clerk of the county in which the Notary's oath and bond are filed is a misdemeanor and subjects the Notary to personal liability to any person injured as a result.
Is being a notary risky?
Liability is a common concern of notaries public, as it should be. It is your primary duty as a notary public to serve your state and the public in preventing fraud. Unfortunately, many notaries public are not aware of the liability they face when performing authorized duties within the scope of their employment.
Has a notary ever been sued?
Some Notaries assume that they don't have to carry an E&O policy as long as they don't make mistakes. As this next case shows, even a blameless Notary can be dragged into a lawsuit. In this situation, the Notary was among several individuals sued for more than $200,000 over a real estate transaction.
Do notaries hold up in court?
Facilitates Legal Transactions
Similarly, wills, power of attorney forms, and specific contracts typically need notarization to be legally enforceable. With notarization, these documents might hold up in a court of law or might not be accepted by institutions.
Is being a notary a good side hustle?
Yes, being a notary is often considered a great side hustle because it offers flexibility, low startup costs (compared to some businesses), high demand for essential services, and the potential for good hourly earnings, especially as a mobile notary or loan signing agent, with Remote Online Notarization (RON) adding work-from-home opportunities.
How can a notary make 6 figures?
To be a six figure-earning money as a notary loan signing agent, you need to do 667 signings a year — or 13 signings a week — and you only need 3 escrow officers feeding you their loan signing appointments to be well on your way to making six figures a year, working less than 40 hours a week.
How much does a $50,000 notary bond cost?
A $50,000 notary bond typically costs a small percentage (0.5% to 10%) of the bond amount, meaning around $250 to $5,000, but for specific states like Alabama requiring this amount, the price is fixed, often around $70-$140 for a 4-year term, depending on packages and credit, as the bond amount is set by law, not individual risk.
Who can't you notarize for?
In many states, notaries public are prohibited from notarizing the signature of immediate family such as a spouse, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, stepbrothers, stepsisters, stepparents, mother-in-laws, and father-in-laws.
Can I be a notary with a criminal record?
Generally, crimes involving dishonesty, fraud, or moral turpitude would disqualify someone from being a notary public. All states bar those with felonies from becoming a notary public.