The main ways notaries make money
Notaries earn money by charging a fee each time they notarize a document. The fee is set by your state — it typically ranges from $0.50 to $15 per signature, depending on where you live and what type of notarization you perform. You keep that fee when a customer pays you. Some notaries also earn money by offering related services like document preparation, loan signing, or remote notarization, which command higher fees.
The amount you actually earn depends on how many documents you notarize per month and whether you work full-time or part-time. A notary who handles five documents a week at $5 per signature makes roughly $1,300 a year. A loan signing agent who closes two mortgage documents per week at $75 to $200 per signing can earn $7,800 to $20,800 annually, though that requires additional training and certification.
Most notaries do not make a living from notarization alone. Instead, they use it as a side income stream — a real estate agent notarizes closing documents, a paralegal notarizes affidavits for clients, a mobile notary travels to customers and charges travel fees on top of the per-signature fee. The income potential grows when you combine notarization with an existing business or customer base.
Key Takeaways
- You charge a per-signature fee set by your state, typically $0.50 to $15, and keep that money when customers pay you.
- Mobile notaries and loan signing agents earn more per document by traveling to customers or specializing in high-value transactions like mortgages.
- Most notaries earn notarization income as a side business, not as their sole income, by combining it with an existing profession or customer base.
- Your state sets the maximum fee you can charge; charging more is illegal and can result in losing your commission.
- Building a customer base takes time — you need to market yourself, build relationships with title companies or law firms, and establish a reputation for reliability.
Getting your notary commission and understanding the costs
Before you can charge any fee, you must be commissioned as a notary in your state. The commission process costs between $50 and $300 depending on your state, and the commission lasts four to ten years before you must renew it. You also need to purchase a notary seal and journal, which together cost $30 to $100. Some states require a surety bond, which costs $50 to $200 for the term of your commission.
These upfront costs are your main investment. Once you are commissioned, your only ongoing costs are renewing your commission when it expires and replacing your seal if it wears out. If you work as a mobile notary, you may also spend money on gas, vehicle maintenance, or a website to attract customers — but these are optional expenses that help you earn more, not requirements to notarize documents.
Calculate your break-even point: if your commission costs $150, your seal costs $50, and your bond costs $100, you have spent $300 to start. At $5 per signature, you need to notarize 60 documents to recover that cost. Most notaries reach that threshold within their first few months, especially if they already have customers who need notarization.
Mobile notary services and higher-fee work
A mobile notary travels to the customer instead of waiting for customers to come to them. This allows you to charge a travel fee on top of the per-signature fee — typically $10 to $50 depending on distance and your location. Mobile notaries often earn $50 to $150 per trip because they combine the notarization fee with the travel fee.
The most lucrative notary work is loan signing. Loan signing agents notarize mortgage documents, refinancing papers, and other high-value transactions. Title companies and signing services hire loan signers and pay them $75 to $200 per signing, sometimes more for complex or rush jobs. To become a loan signing agent, you need your notary commission plus additional training — many notaries take a loan signing course (typically $200 to $500) and obtain errors and omissions insurance ($200 to $400 per year).
Remote notarization is growing in some states. A remote notary notarizes documents over video call using technology that meets state requirements. Remote notaries charge similar fees to mobile notaries but avoid travel time, making it efficient if you have steady demand. However, not all states allow remote notarization, and the rules vary widely — check your state's notary laws before investing in remote notarization technology.
Building a customer base and marketing yourself
Your first customers often come from your existing network — friends, family, coworkers, and people who know you already have a notary commission. Tell people you know that you are a notary and what you charge. Many notaries find their first steady work this way.
To grow beyond your personal network, you need to reach businesses that use notaries regularly. Real estate agents, title companies, law firms, banks, and mortgage lenders all need notary services. Contact them directly, explain your services, and ask if they need a notary on staff or on call. Some will hire you as a contractor; others will refer customers to you.
If you work as a mobile notary, create a straightforward website or list yourself on notary directories like the National Notary Association's directory. Many customers search online for "notary near me" and call the first few results. A website with your phone number, service area, and fees makes it straightforward for them to reach you. You can also join signing services like Notarize, Notaryfinder, or local signing platforms — they send you jobs and take a cut of your fee, but they handle the marketing for you.
Building trust matters. Respond to calls and emails quickly, show up on time, and treat every document with care. Notaries who develop a reputation for reliability get repeat business and referrals, which is how most notaries grow their income over time.
State-by-state fee limits and rules
Your state sets the maximum fee you can charge per signature. Some states allow $0.50 per signature; others allow $10 or $15. A few states set no limit at all, but most notaries in those states still charge within the typical range to stay competitive. You can charge less than the maximum, but charging more is illegal and can result in losing your notary commission.
Some states also allow additional fees for specific services — a travel fee for mobile notaries, a journal fee, a certification fee, or a copy fee. Other states do not allow these add-ons. Before you set your prices, look up your state's notary fee schedule on your state's Secretary of State website or notary board. The rules are specific to your state and change occasionally, so check them before you start charging customers.
If you work across state lines — for example, as a mobile notary in a border area — you must follow the fee rules of the state where you are commissioned. You cannot charge a customer more than your state allows, even if the customer is willing to pay more.
Part-time notary income versus full-time work
Most notaries work part-time. They keep their main job and notarize documents on the side — during lunch breaks, after work, or on weekends. A part-time notary who handles 10 to 20 documents per month earns $50 to $300 per month, or $600 to $3,600 per year. This is realistic income for someone who is not actively marketing and relies on walk-in customers or referrals from their existing job.
A full-time mobile notary or loan signing agent can earn $30,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on how many signings they complete and what they charge. However, reaching full-time income requires consistent marketing, a strong customer base, and often specialization in loan signing or another high-fee service. Most notaries who earn full-time income from notarization have been in the business for several years and have built relationships with title companies, signing services, or law firms that send them regular work.
The income is not steady. Some months you may notarize many documents; other months you may notarize very few. If you need reliable monthly income, treat notarization as a side business and keep your main job. If you want to pursue notarization full-time, build your customer base and income gradually before leaving your current job.
Common mistakes that reduce notary income
Charging too little is the most common mistake. New notaries often charge the minimum fee allowed by their state to attract customers, then struggle to raise prices later. Customers expect to pay the full allowed fee, and raising your price after months of charging less feels awkward. Set a fair price from the start — usually the state maximum or close to it — and stick with it.
Not marketing yourself is another mistake. Many notaries wait for customers to find them instead of actively reaching out to businesses, joining signing services, or building a website. Without marketing, your income stays low. Spend time early on building relationships and getting your name out; the effort pays off in steady referrals.
Ignoring state rules is costly. Some notaries charge fees that exceed their state's limit, fail to keep a proper journal, or notarize documents they should not notarize. These mistakes can result in losing your commission, facing fines, or being sued. Read your state's notary handbook and follow the rules exactly. When you are unsure, ask your state's notary board or a notary association before you proceed.
Not specializing limits your earning potential. Notaries who only notarize straightforward signatures earn less than those who specialize in loan signings, remote notarization, or mobile services. If you want higher income, invest in training and build informed in a higher-fee service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I notarize documents for family members or people I know?
No. Most states prohibit notaries from notarizing documents for family members, spouses, or people with whom they have a financial interest. You can notarize for friends and acquaintances, but not for close relatives. Check your state's rules for the exact definition of who you cannot notarize for.
Do I need errors and omissions insurance to work as a notary?
It is not legally required to be a notary, but it is strongly recommended if you work as a mobile notary or loan signing agent. Errors and omissions insurance protects you if a customer sues you for a mistake. The cost is typically $200 to $400 per year and is often required by signing services before they send you jobs.
How long does it take to get commissioned as a notary?
The timeline varies by state. Some states commission you in a few days after you submit your process; others take two to four weeks. Check your state's Secretary of State website for the current processing time. You cannot notarize documents or charge fees until you receive your official commission.
Can I notarize documents remotely in all states?
No. Remote notarization is legal in some states but not others, and the rules differ widely. Some states require specific technology, specific training, or specific types of documents to be notarized remotely. Before you invest in remote notarization technology, confirm that your state allows it and understand the requirements.
What happens if I charge more than my state allows?
Charging more than your state's maximum fee is illegal. If a customer reports you or a business discovers you overcharged, you can face fines, be required to repay the excess fees, or lose your notary commission. Always check your state's fee schedule and charge only what is allowed.