Yes, you can earn money as a notary, but income depends on volume and location
Notaries make money by charging a fee each time they notarize a document. The amount you can charge varies by state — some states set a maximum fee (often $5 to $15 per signature), while others let you set your own rate. In states with no cap, notaries in busy areas or with specialized clients can charge $25 to $50 or more per notarization. Your actual income depends on how many documents you notarize per week, whether you work full-time or part-time, and whether you're the only notary in your area or competing with many others.
Most notaries don't make a living from notarizations alone. Instead, they use the credential to add value to another business — a real estate office, law firm, title company, or mobile notary service — or they notarize documents as a side income while working another job. A few notaries in high-demand areas do build a full-time income, but that usually requires marketing, building a client base, and often offering mobile services (traveling to clients rather than waiting for them to come to you).
Key Takeaways
- You charge per notarization, and the fee you can charge depends on your state's law — some states cap it at $5 to $15, others allow you to set your own rate.
- Most notaries earn supplemental income rather than a full-time living, unless they operate a mobile notary service or work in a high-demand area.
- Your earning potential increases if you specialize in high-volume work like loan signings, real estate closings, or immigration documents.
- Getting your notary commission is inexpensive (usually $50 to $200), but building a client base and marketing yourself takes time and effort.
How notary fees work in your state
Each state sets its own rules for how much a notary can charge. Some states have a fixed maximum fee per notarization — for example, California allows $15 per signature, New York allows $2 to $5 depending on the type of document, and Texas allows $6 per notarization. Other states, including Florida and many others, don't set a cap, which means you can charge whatever the market will bear.
Even in states without a cap, you're competing with other notaries in your area, so you can't charge arbitrarily high fees without losing clients. A notary in a rural area with few competitors might charge $25 per notarization, while a notary in a city with dozens of competitors might charge $10 to $15 to stay competitive. Check your state's notary laws (usually found on your Secretary of State website) to learn what you're allowed to charge.
Full-time notary income: what's realistic
A notary working part-time from home, notarizing documents for walk-in clients or referrals, might earn $100 to $300 per month — enough for supplemental income but not a living wage. To earn a full-time income, you need volume: roughly 20 to 40 notarizations per week at $15 to $25 each would generate $300 to $1,000 per week, or $1,200 to $4,000 per month before expenses.
Reaching that volume usually requires one of three approaches. First, you can work for a business that generates notarizations — a title company, real estate office, or law firm — where you're salaried or paid hourly and notarizing is part of your job. Second, you can specialize in loan signings, where you travel to clients' homes to notarize mortgage documents; loan signing companies pay $75 to $200 per signing, and a notary doing 3 to 5 signings per week can earn $900 to $4,000 monthly. Third, you can build a mobile notary service, marketing yourself to real estate agents, attorneys, and the public, and handling all the scheduling and travel yourself.
Starting costs and what you'll need
Getting your notary commission is inexpensive. You'll need to pass a background check, pay a commission fee (usually $50 to $200 depending on your state), and sometimes take a short exam or training course. Some states require you to purchase an official seal and journal (a record book of all notarizations you perform), which together cost $30 to $100. A few states require a notary bond, which protects clients if you make a mistake; a bond typically costs $50 to $150 for a four-year term.
If you plan to work as a mobile notary, you'll also need reliable transportation, a professional appearance, and a way to market yourself — a straightforward website, business cards, or listings on notary directories. These costs are modest but add up: expect to spend $200 to $500 to launch a mobile notary side business, not counting your time.
Loan signings: the highest-paying notary work
Loan signings are the most lucrative notary work available. When someone refinances a mortgage or buys a home, they sign a stack of documents in front of a notary. Loan signing companies hire notaries to travel to the borrower's home or office and oversee the signing. You charge a signing fee (typically $75 to $200 per signing, sometimes more for complex or rush signings) plus mileage reimbursement.
To get loan signing work, you register with loan signing platforms like Notarize, LoanDepot, or local title companies. Most platforms require you to pass a background check and sometimes a test on loan document knowledge. Once registered, you receive signing requests through an app or email, and you schedule appointments directly with clients. A notary doing 3 to 5 signings per week can earn $900 to $4,000 monthly, depending on signing fees in your area and how far you're willing to travel.
The downside is that loan signing work is seasonal — it picks up during spring and summer (peak home-buying season) and slows in fall and winter. You'll also spend time driving, so your hourly rate depends on how efficiently you can schedule appointments and how far clients are from each other.
Building a client base as an independent notary
If you want to notarize documents without working for a company or loan signing platform, you'll need to build your own client base. Start by telling people you know — friends, family, coworkers, and local business owners — that you're a notary. Many notarizations come from referrals, so word-of-mouth is your first marketing tool.
Next, list yourself on free notary directories like the National Notary Association's directory or local business listings. Create a straightforward website or social media page with your location, hours, and contact information. Contact local real estate agents, attorneys, and title companies to let them know you're available for notarizations. Some notaries place ads in local newspapers or community bulletin boards, though the return on investment is usually low.
The reality is that building a client base takes months, and most notaries find that walk-in business is unpredictable. You might notarize 5 documents one week and none the next. This is why many notaries combine notary work with another service — real estate, legal information, or document preparation — so they have steady income while building notary volume.
Notary work you can do remotely
Some states now allow remote notarizations, where you notarize a document via video call instead of in person. This opens the door to notarizing clients outside your local area, which can increase your volume and income. However, remote notarization rules vary widely by state — some states allow it for any document, others only for certain types, and some don't allow it at all.
If your state allows remote notarization, you can register with platforms like Notarize or Notarion, which connect you with clients nationwide. You perform notarizations via video, and the platform handles scheduling and payment. Fees are typically $25 to $50 per remote notarization, and you can work from home. However, these platforms take a commission (often 25% to 50% of the fee), so your actual earnings are lower than the advertised fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I make as a notary per month?
Part-time notaries typically earn $100 to $500 per month. Full-time notaries or those doing loan signings can earn $1,500 to $4,000 per month, depending on volume and location. Income varies widely based on how many documents you notarize, what you charge, and whether you specialize in high-paying work like loan signings.
Can I be a notary and work from home?
Yes, if you have clients come to your home or if you do remote notarizations (where allowed by your state). However, most notaries find that building a client base for home-based work is slow. Mobile notary work — traveling to clients — typically generates more income because you can serve more clients per week.
Do I need a notary license to charge fees?
Yes, you must be a commissioned notary public in your state to charge notary fees. The commission process is straightforward and inexpensive (usually $50 to $200), but you must complete your state's requirements, which may include an exam, background check, or training course.
Is loan signing work reliable income?
Loan signing work is seasonal — busy in spring and summer, slower in fall and winter. If you rely on loan signings as your only income, expect fluctuations. Many notaries combine loan signing with other notary work or another job to smooth out the seasonal dips.
What's the difference between a notary and a loan signing agent?
A notary is commissioned by the state to witness signatures and verify identity. A loan signing agent is a notary who specializes in mortgage and real estate closings. All loan signing agents are notaries, but not all notaries do loan signings. Loan signing agents typically earn more per transaction because they handle complex, high-stakes documents.