For many Notaries, loan signings have been their business focus for many years. While I offer NSA services as part of my business, I know that isn’t enough to maximize my business and protect it if there’s a downturn in the market as we have seen in recent months. In fact, much of what I do would be considered “general” Notary work. I’ve been successful following this avenue because even when the real estate market is down, there are plenty of general Notary opportunities with local businesses, including:
- Law firms
- Hospitals and healthcare providers
- Independent car dealers
- Bail bondsmen
- Schools and universities
Law firms
I’ll let you in on a secret: many law offices don’t have on-staff Notaries. Many lawyers today don’t have big offices or support staff. And that means that if a client needs a notarization, they need the help of an independent Notary like you.
This has been even more the case since COVID. Since the pandemic, many places that used to offer Notary services, like banks, have significantly limited the types of notarizations they are willing to provide. And this is why law practices offer mobile Notaries great opportunities.
If you do pursue work with legal practices, you should familiarize yourself with the types of notarizations commonly needed by lawyers and their clients. When you do meet with a potential legal practice client, whether it’s the attorney, an office manager or a paralegal, look the part and dress appropriately. Knowledge is important, but so, too, is being professional. If you’ll be meeting clients, you’ll be acting as the attorney’s representative.
Dropping by a law office to introduce yourself is an option, but before doing so, check the practice’s website for their office hours. A carefully crafted e-mail or phone message may be needed first to get your foot in the door.
Hospitals and healthcare providers
There are numerous Notary opportunities at medical facilities (hospitals, elder care facilities, etc.). Patients often need various types of notarizations, including powers of attorney and advanced health directives, but few facilities have Notaries on hand.
You’ll need to approach medical facilities carefully. Don’t just drop in. Contact the business office with a call or carefully crafted e-mail, asking for an appointment with a business director or someone else authorized to call in an outside Notary.
Again, ask what services the facility needs — for example, the types of notarizations that are needed, times of day that you might need to come in (including night and weekend hours), etc. — and address how you can solve them.
And it’s not just patients who need Notaries. Doctors need your help, too. Medical partnerships are business entities, and they need business documents regularly notarized. Again, contact a business director or office manager to arrange a meeting and discuss how you can help them with any business transactions that need a Notary.
Independent car dealers
Selling or buying a car involves numerous documents, and this provides Notaries work opportunities such as notarizing vehicle releases when a seller has lost the pink slip or notarizing loan signing documents for vehicles being sold over the internet.
A direct approach might be your best tactic here — call or e-mail ahead and make an appointment for a time that is convenient for the dealer. Again, you should ask what types of notarizations the business needs most often, find out what type of issues they face that a Notary can help with, and offer solutions.
Bail bondsmen
If you are willing to work outside normal business hours, you might want to approach bail bondsmen in your area and offer them your Notary services. Bail bondsmen often keep odd hours and they usually don’t employ Notaries. Plus, few Notaries who work for defense attorneys are available to work after hours with bail bondsmen, so this is a good opportunity if you are an independent mobile Notary available outside the normal 9-5 schedule.
Schools and universities
If you offer apostille courier services along with your Notary services, schools and universities often need to complete apostilles for students traveling or studying overseas.
Contacting the administrators of overseas or travel programs via phone or e-mail at a school would be the best approach for getting started here.
These examples are just some of the avenues you can try. They worked for me, but some may not be perfect for you. You’re the one who will know best, so try reaching out to different businesses and finding the ones that suit you. No matter where you find more general Notary work, your goal should be to build your own solid customer base that will remain constant through the highs and lows of our economy.
Laura Biewer is the founder of CoachmeLaura.com and owns At Your Service Mobile Notary in Modesto, California. She also teaches seminars for the National Notary Association and is a regular presenter at the NNA's annual Conferences.