Why are notaries still a thing?
Asked by: Ray VonRueden | Last update: April 25, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (53 votes)
Notaries are still essential because they prevent fraud, provide impartial verification, and add a layer of legal integrity to important transactions like mortgages, wills, and powers of attorney, a function requiring human judgment that AI can't fully replicate due to complexities like discerning willingness and mental competence, ensuring accountability, and facilitating in-person checks for critical documents. They serve as trusted, state-appointed witnesses, ensuring signers are who they say they are and understand what they're signing, which deters identity theft and fraud in high-stakes dealings.
Why do notaries still exist?
Real estate remains heavily notary-dependent, with deeds, mortgages, and title transfers requiring official notarization. As title fraud schemes become more sophisticated, robust notarization provides essential protection by creating multiple verification checkpoints fraudsters cannot easily bypass.
Will notaries become obsolete?
Mobile Notaries Will Continue to Be in Demand
Even as digital tools grow, mobile notaries remain essential. Many people still need or prefer in-person service, especially when dealing with: Real estate closings. Estate planning documents.
What's the point of having something notarized?
The purpose of notarizing a document is to prevent fraud by having a Notary Public, a state-appointed impartial witness, verify the identity of the signer(s), confirm they signed willingly, and ensure they understand the document's contents, thereby adding a layer of legal trust and authenticity to important papers like deeds, affidavits, and loan documents, making them more reliable in legal settings.
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.
Notary Business Supplies 2026 (UPDATED!)
Which 3 jobs will survive AI?
While AI will transform many roles, jobs requiring high-level creativity, complex problem-solving, and human connection, like AI Specialists/Programmers, Energy Experts, and Biologists/Healthcare Professionals, are predicted to remain crucial, focusing on AI development, global energy transitions, and scientific breakthroughs, respectively. These roles demand human intuition, adaptability, and ethical judgment beyond current AI capabilities, though AI will serve as a powerful tool within them, notes Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
What is the future of notary public?
The Future of Notarization in the US Legal System
These advancements could automate document analysis, detect inconsistencies, and provide real-time legal insights, further streamlining the process. Moreover, the expansion of blockchain technology could revolutionise the way notarized documents are stored and verified.
Can I refuse to notarize a document?
If the signer doesn't meet certain criteria, the notary may refuse to notarize the document. Here are some situations that apply: The signer isn't there in person (unless the notary is performing a remote notarization). The signer doesn't have a photo ID or otherwise can't be properly identified.
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.
Is being a notary a good side job?
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.
What jobs will no longer exist in 2030?
By 2030, jobs involving repetitive data processing, customer service, and manual tasks, like data entry clerks, bank tellers, cashiers, administrative assistants, postal workers, telemarketers, and assembly line workers, are highly likely to decline significantly due to automation, AI, and digital shifts, though some roles like travel agents and specialized accountants might evolve rather than vanish entirely, with new opportunities emerging in tech and green sectors.
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.
Which type of notary makes the most money?
The Notary Loan Signing Agent (NSA) makes the most money, handling complex mortgage documents for $75-$200+ per appointment, significantly more than general notaries, with high demand in real estate; other lucrative paths include specialized services like Apostille agents, Remote Online Notaries (RONs), and mobile notaries who travel for higher fees.
Who needs notaries the most?
What types of businesses benefit the most from having a Notary on staff?
- 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.
Why do people sue notaries?
Not notarizing correctly can cause financial harm to your client, and you are responsible for any financial harm you inflict. You can be sued.
Why would anyone want to be 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.
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.
Which state has the hardest notary test?
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. However, the state does not require any training so applicants are on their own to learn the material covered in the exam.
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.
Can I notarize for my boyfriend?
A notary public who has a direct or indirect financial (or other beneficial) interest in a document may not notarize such a document. The better practice is not to notarize for a spouse or family member in order to preserve the integrity of the notarization and to prevent a challenge to the notarization.
What happens if you notarize something you shouldn't have?
Criminal Penalties
Under some state laws, certain violations in performing a notarization can lead to a Notary being found guilty of a misdemeanor or even a felony in serious cases. Some states issue criminal penalties for specific acts.
Why won't a bank notarize a will?
Banks are risk-averse entities. Estate documents—such as wills, trust certifications, powers of attorney, and property-transfer affidavits—carry heightened liability exposure. Improper notarization can lead to claims of undue influence, incapacity, or defective execution.
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 percent of people are notaries?
Oklahoma and Washington, DC, are also low, with 2.7 notaries per 1,000 people and 4.8 notaries per 1,000 people, respectively. California, despite being the largest state by population, has one of the lowest rates of notaries per capita at 3.5 per 1,000 people.
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.