Notaries earn through per-signature fees, travel charges, and specialized services
A notary makes money by charging a fee each time you notarize a document. The fee varies by state — some states set a maximum fee (often $5 to $15 per signature), while others let notaries set their own rates. You also charge travel fees if a client asks you to come to them instead of meeting at your location. Beyond basic notarization, notaries can earn more by offering related services like loan signing, document preparation, or apostille services, which command higher fees.
The income potential depends on how many documents you notarize and how you market yourself. A notary working part-time from home might notarize a handful of documents a month. A notary who builds a client base or partners with title companies and lenders can notarize dozens of documents weekly. Your location matters too — notaries in areas with high real estate activity or near courthouses tend to have steadier work.
Key Takeaways
- Notary fees are set by your state and range from $5 to $15 per signature in most places, with some states allowing you to charge more.
- You can add income by charging travel fees when clients request you to come to them, typically $10 to $50 depending on distance.
- Loan signing — notarizing mortgage and refinance documents — pays $75 to $200 per job and is the highest-earning specialty for notaries.
- Building steady income requires marketing yourself to real estate agents, title companies, and lenders, not just waiting for walk-in customers.
- Your notary commission lasts four years in most states, and you must renew it to keep working and earning.
Understanding state fee limits and how much you can charge
Each state sets a maximum notary fee, and you cannot charge more than that limit. In most states, the fee is $5 to $10 per signature. Some states allow $15 or higher. A few states — like Florida and Texas — let notaries set their own rates with no cap. Check your state's Secretary of State office or notary board website to find your state's exact limit.
The fee applies per signature, not per document. If a document has three signatures that need notarizing, you charge three times. Some notaries charge a flat rate for straightforward documents (like a single-signature affidavit) and higher rates for complex documents with multiple signatures or travel involved.
You can also charge for services beyond the notary fee itself. Travel fees, document preparation, copying, and shipping are separate charges that vary by notary and location. If a client asks you to travel 20 miles to their home, charging $25 to $50 for travel is standard. These add-on fees are not regulated the same way the notary fee is, so you have more flexibility.
Loan signing as the highest-paying notary work
Loan signing is when a notary witnesses the signing of mortgage, refinance, or other loan documents. This is the most lucrative notary work. A single loan signing job pays $75 to $200, sometimes more in high-cost areas or for complex transactions. You might notarize 20 to 40 signatures on a single loan package, but you charge one flat fee for the entire job, not per signature.
To get loan signing work, you need to be on the roster of a signing service — a company that contracts notaries to lenders and title companies. Signing services include companies like Notarize, LoanDepot, and regional services in your area. You create a profile, list your availability, and the service sends you jobs that match your location and schedule. Most signing services require you to have errors and omissions insurance (E&O insurance), which costs $200 to $400 per year and protects you if you make a mistake on a loan document.
Loan signing work is seasonal. It picks up during spring and early summer when home sales are active, and slows in winter. Building a strong reputation with signing services leads to more consistent work, as they prioritize notaries who complete jobs quickly and accurately.
Building a client base through marketing and partnerships
Most notaries starting out rely on walk-in customers or referrals from friends and family. To earn more consistently, you need to market yourself to businesses that use notaries regularly. Real estate agents, title companies, mortgage lenders, and law offices all need notaries. Create a straightforward website or social media page listing your location, hours, and fees. Include your phone number and email so clients can reach you easily.
Contact local real estate offices and title companies directly. Offer to be their preferred notary and ask if they will refer clients to you. Many title companies have in-house notaries but sometimes need backup when they are busy. Becoming a trusted backup notary can bring steady work. Some notaries also partner with UPS stores, FedEx locations, or local banks that offer notary services to their customers — these partnerships provide a steady stream of clients.
Online platforms like Notarize and Snapdocs connect notaries with clients who need remote notarization (where allowed in your state). These platforms take a cut of your fee but handle marketing and client matching for you. If your state allows remote notarization, joining these platforms can fill gaps in your schedule.
Remote notarization and expanding your service area
Some states allow remote notarization, where you notarize documents via video call instead of meeting in person. This expands your potential client base beyond your local area. You can notarize for clients in other cities or states (if they are in a state that recognizes remote notarization) without traveling. Remote notarization typically pays the same per signature as in-person work, but you save time and travel costs.
To offer remote notarization, you need to use a platform that meets your state's requirements — most states require specific technology that records the session and verifies the signer's identity. Platforms like Notarize, NotaryClick, and state-specific services provide this technology. You pay a monthly subscription or per-transaction fee to use the platform, which reduces your earnings slightly but opens up work you would not otherwise have access to.
Remote notarization is not available in all states, and the rules vary widely. Check your state's Secretary of State office to see if remote notarization is allowed and what technology you must use.
Specializations that pay more than basic notarization
Beyond loan signing, other specializations command higher fees. Apostille services — certifying that a notary's signature is genuine for international use — pay $10 to $25 per apostille. Document preparation, where you help clients understand what documents they need and how to fill them out, can add $25 to $100 to a notary job. Some notaries also offer certified copies of documents, which pay a per-page fee.
Becoming a certified signing agent — a notary trained specifically in loan documents — opens doors to more loan signing work and higher pay. Organizations like the National Notary Association offer certification courses that cost $100 to $300 and take a few weeks to complete. Lenders and signing services prefer certified agents, so the investment often pays for itself quickly.
Immigration document notarization is another specialty. Clients preparing immigration paperwork often need notarized affidavits and declarations. If you learn the common documents and requirements, you can market this service to immigration attorneys and community organizations. These jobs typically pay standard notary fees but come with repeat business from referrals.
Managing costs and keeping more of what you earn
Your main costs as a notary are your commission (renewal every four years, typically $50 to $200 depending on your state), errors and omissions insurance if you do loan signing ($200 to $400 per year), and marketing. Some notaries also invest in a notary seal and stamp, though many states now allow digital seals, which cost less.
If you work from home, your costs are minimal — just the commission and insurance. If you rent office space or work from a shared location, that is your largest expense. Some notaries reduce costs by working from coffee shops or libraries and meeting clients there, or by offering mobile notary services where clients pay you to come to them.
Keep track of your mileage and travel expenses if you offer mobile notary services — these are tax-deductible. The same applies to your notary supplies, insurance, and any training or certification courses. Working with a tax professional or accountant who understands self-employment can help you understand what you can deduct and keep more of your income.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I make as a notary in a year?
Income varies widely. A part-time notary notarizing a few documents a month might earn $500 to $1,000 per year. A full-time notary with a strong client base and loan signing work can earn $30,000 to $60,000 or more annually. Your location, how much you market yourself, and whether you specialize in loan signing all affect your earnings.
Do I need a physical office to work as a notary?
No. Many notaries work from home and meet clients at coffee shops, libraries, or the client's location. If you offer mobile notary services (traveling to clients), you can charge travel fees. Some notaries rent a small office or desk space, but it is not required to start earning.
Can I notarize documents for family members?
Most states allow it, but some prohibit notarizing for when ready family. Check your state's rules. Even if it is allowed, many notaries avoid it to prevent conflicts of interest. You can still charge your standard fee if your state permits it.
What happens if I make a mistake on a notarized document?
Errors and omissions insurance covers you if a client sues because of a mistake. This is why signing services require it for loan work. Without insurance, you could be personally liable. Insurance typically costs $200 to $400 per year and is worth the cost if you do loan signing or high-value work.
How do I get my first loan signing jobs?
Create profiles on signing services like Notarize, LoanDepot, or regional services in your area. You will need errors and omissions insurance and a clean background check. Start by accepting jobs at any rate to build reviews and reputation, then you can be more selective as demand increases.