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Can Notaries make money from home? Benefits of online Notary work

Work-from-home Notary at laptop smiling

A Notary Public is an official appointed by state government to serve as an impartial witness during important signings. Notaries help prevent fraudulent acts by verifying the signer is who they claim to be, confirming the signer is aware and willing to sign the documents, and completing the notarization.

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.

As of January 2022, the following 40 states allow their Notaries to do remote online notarization: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Benefits of becoming a work-from-home Notary

While there are many benefits of remote work, we're going to explore specifically what makes being an online Notary one of the best work-from-home jobs in 2022.

1. Low barrier to entry

If you're reading this, chances are you've seen "web developer" or "graphic designer" listed within other articles about what jobs you can do from home. While they may sound attractive, these types of business options require a lot of time to learn and some experience to get real work gigs.

Being an online Notary Public may be the better option if you're looking for a remote job that doesn't require a bachelor's degree or months of intense training. It's also a great option for parents looking to work from home with kids.

The process to become a work-from-home Notary is relatively easy, but each state differs in its RON commissioning guidelines. Some states require a training course and exam while others simply require a completed application form.

Even if your state has educational requirements, you can expect to register for and complete your training in a matter of days. The part you'll spend the most time on is waiting to receive your Notary Public commission certificate from your state. It can take anywhere from two to 10 weeks, depending on where you live.

2. Make money from home

At this point, you're probably wondering, "How much can I make as a Notary?" In 2020, we surveyed Notaries across the country and found that 43% of part-time, self-employed Notaries earned more than $500 a month and nearly 30% earned more than $1,000 a month.

Most states set the maximum fee for a remote online notarization at $25. Find out how much you can charge in your state for a remote notarial act here.

Whether you're looking for a work-from-home career, or a side gig to complement your 9-to-5 job, being a remote Notary can provide you that additional stream of income.

The amount you earn can significantly increase by using your Notary commission to become a Notary Signing Agent. Learn more here.

3. Flexible hours while working from home

Becoming an online Notary allows you to be your own boss and make your own schedule from day one. Working from home means you're no longer commuting to meet signers in person, freeing you up to perform more notarizations in a shorter amount of time. In addition, you get to choose when you perform your first notarial act of the day and how late you want to work.

4. Low operating costs

Going hand in hand with fewer qualifications to get started you'll also enjoy lower business expenses. Most of your expenses will be upfront — paying any fees to sign up with a RON technology provider and getting a computer or laptop with a webcam and microphone. Ongoing costs may include a fee to continue using the RON platform and your Internet bill.

This is perfect for college students and new graduates, as most of you are familiar with online transactions and will likely already have the equipment to perform remote notarial acts.

5. Always be in demand

The beauty of being a Notary is your services will always be in demand. From ancient Egypt to present day, the need for an impartial witness hasn't faded away. As soon as you're commissioned and onboarded with an authorized RON platform, you'll be plugged into a system filled with people looking for online notarization services right at your fingertips.

And with only 4.4 million U.S. Notaries in a nation of nearly 330 million people, the industry is far from being oversaturated, according to LoveLee Notary owner, Sharelle Evans.

6. Engage with people

Being an online Notary is perfect for borderline introverts who still like to interact with people, but struggle with a structured work routine involving a lot of people. Notaries usually meet with one signer at a time and the entire process can take as few as 10 minutes.

Remember, Notaries serve as impartial witnesses during signings. You're only responsible for checking documents for blank spaces and completing the notary block or certificate for each transaction. There are strict rules that prevent you from answering legal questions about the documents, too.

7. Help your community

One of the best things about being a Notary is you're helping members of your community achieve important life goals. People looking for a Notary are generally buying a house, designating another person to make important decisions on their behalf, or creating their trust or will. You can feel good knowing your services played a critical role in these life-changing events.

How does an online notarization work?

Working from home as a Notary means you're meeting with the signer through a dedicated and secure platform online. In most cases, the signer can be located anywhere but you — the Notary — must be physically present within your commissioning state. You still follow the steps you would take as if you were completing a paper notarization, except you're meeting the signer virtually and using digital Notary supplies to complete the notarization.

Start the commissioning process today

Working as a remote Notary Public also saves you from the constant need to come up with new product or service ideas; the notarial services you can offer are clearly defined by your commissioning state.

If you find yourself seeking a new opportunity later down the road, your experience as a self-employed Notary will prove to be invaluable. Check out this list of jobs where your Notary experience can help you get hired.

Your Notary commission is valid for at least four years in most states. Whether you use it every day or a few times per month, it's worth becoming a Notary when you consider all of the benefits above.

Start Working From Home

Rachel Fraser is the Content Marketing Specialist at the National Notary Association.

Related Resources:

Tips to Get Started as a Remote Online Notary

8 Comments

Add your comment

CMJordan

28 Feb 2022

Why is Online notary available in 40 states but not California???

Philip H. Montgomery

28 Feb 2022

I have completed NNA's R.O.N. ccourse but I'm having difficulty taking the next stepa. I have an E&O policy for in person Notarization. Can you folks help

National Notary Association

04 Mar 2022

Hello. Can you please provide more details regarding what type of assistance you need?

Camille Lorz

19 Jun 2022

This article claims the costs of the RON platform don't interfere with making money at doing this but I'm failing to see how. Of the platforms my state (Utah) approves for this work, and our standard limited cost per notarization ($25), and the extra fees these platforms cost ($10 per transaction, $5 per additional signature/witness, etc). I'm failing to see how the entire fee I'm allowed to charge isn't eaten up by the platforms fees. Am I misunderstanding this? Is it merely a matter of eventual volume to out earn the costs of the platforms? Is there more information on how this actually works that this isn't just a "draw them in slightly" offer for a small business and an actual way to make money? Rather confused. I'll keep researching but if you have other articles or videos on this type of question for this topic, I'd appreciate some links. Thanks for your time!

Lina

13 Sep 2022

Hi I’m in Florida. I’m a NNA and certified RON. I haven’t started yet. I want to know who pays for the remote online providers?

National Notary Association

16 Sep 2022

Hello. Typically the Notary pays any costs to sign up with and use a remote notarization technology platform.

Susan

18 Sep 2022

The prior person asking how it’s possible to earn money when the platform fees are as she stated l. Maximum amount allowed billed per transaction is $25.00 - a $10.00 fee of that goes to who? Is it a company who advertises they have online notaries available 24-7 ? Then she mentioned a $5 dollar fee. Logistically knowing nothing about the process ANYONE could set up their own direct website for online notary right? So that would cut out the man in the middle. Correct me if wrong. But if not. And a person registered with a company website already in service & they direct clients in need to you ( like a que waiting for a business call ) how much do you actually get of the $25.00 ? Can someone be honest & specific to the questions asked. If someone has the full package to include the online capability if they had a website of their own paid an IT specialist to get your website at top search engine all could be independent online notary’s. Right? The people mentioned here Lovelee notary. Would know since she is in the business. There is a great need for the service & license notary VS population at this time wouldn’t over saturate the Market because few would want to do this much as it would get boring for many & secluded from typical on a job interaction with others. I hope someone in the know would be honest & tell all aspects as inquired on above.

Mike Meyers

23 Feb 2023

Nothing but a money scam...Get charge here....get charged there. How are we suppose to make any money with all these hands out?

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