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How to Make Money as a
Notary Public

Earn $75-$200 per appointment as a mobile notary signing agent. High pay per hour, flexible schedule, and steady demand from title companies and real estate attorneys.

$75-$200 Per appointment
$100-$500 Startup cost
4-8 weeks Time to commission
Medium Difficulty

Quick Facts

Earning Range
$75 - $200/appointment
Startup Cost
$100 - $500
Time to First $
4 - 8 weeks
Difficulty
Medium
Time Commitment
5 - 20 hrs/week
Tax Form
1099-NEC
Equipment Needed
Laser printer + car
Work Location
Mobile (local)

What You'll Do

A notary public is a state-commissioned official authorized to witness signatures on legal documents and administer oaths. As a mobile notary, you travel to clients - typically homes, offices, hospitals, or closing tables - to notarize documents on the spot.

The highest-earning niche is loan signing agent work. When someone buys a home or refinances a mortgage, a stack of 100-200 legal documents must be signed and notarized at closing. Title companies and escrow firms hire mobile notary signing agents to handle these appointments at the borrower's location - often in the evening or on weekends when traditional offices are closed.

Common notary assignment types:

  • Real estate loan closings
  • Mortgage refinance signings
  • Wills and estate documents
  • Powers of attorney
  • Medical and hospital documents
  • Business agreements and contracts
  • Apostille document certification
  • Auto title transfers

Earnings Breakdown

Loan signing appointments are the highest-paying notary work. A typical signing takes 60-90 minutes including travel, document review, and the signing itself.

$75-100 Standard signing fee
$125-200 Complex package fee
$2,000-4,000 Monthly (part-time)
Assignment Type Fee Range Time Required Frequency
General Notarization
Wills, POA, basic docs		 $25 - $50 15 - 30 min Variable
Refinance Signing
Mortgage refinance package		 $75 - $100 60 - 90 min High (rate market dependent)
Purchase Loan Closing
Full real estate closing		 $125 - $200 90 - 120 min Steady (tied to housing market)
Reverse Mortgage
Complex senior borrower package		 $150 - $250 2 - 3 hours Moderate

Note: Fees above assume you print documents yourself (title companies typically pay $15-$25 printing fee included in the total). Platforms like Snapdocs take a percentage cut; direct title relationships pay the full fee.

Startup Costs

Becoming a notary signing agent requires a modest upfront investment - primarily the state commission fee, NNA certification, and a quality laser printer for printing loan packages.

Item Cost Required? Notes
State notary commission $20 - $100 Required Application fee varies by state. Includes background check in most states.
Notary stamp and journal $30 - $60 Required Quality self-inking stamp. Journal required by law in most states.
NNA Certified Signing Agent $65 - $100 Recommended Required by most title companies. Includes exam and background check.
E&O insurance $40 - $80/yr Required $25K-$100K coverage. Title companies require this before booking you.
Laser printer $80 - $200 Required For printing 100-200 page loan packages. Inkjet too slow and unreliable.
Vehicle and fuel Varies Required Mileage to signings is tax deductible at the IRS standard rate.
Total to start: $100 - $500 - Most startup costs are one-time expenses. A single loan signing ($75-$200) covers the entire certification and supply investment.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • High earnings per appointment ($75-$200)
  • In-demand service with clear certification path
  • Real estate market creates consistent demand
  • Flexible schedule - evenings and weekends work well
  • Repeat business from title companies
  • Professional credibility builds referrals

Cons

  • State licensing process takes 1-3 months
  • Real estate volume tied to interest rate cycle
  • Drive time to signings is unpaid
  • Errors on loan documents have serious consequences
  • Laser printer and supplies add ongoing cost
  • Income slows significantly in high-rate environments

How to Get Started

  1. 1

    Apply for your state notary commission

    Visit your state's Secretary of State website and complete the notary application. Most states require a background check, a $20-$100 fee, and in some cases a short training course or exam. Approval typically takes 4-8 weeks. You must have your commission in hand before you can notarize any documents.

  2. 2

    Complete the NNA Certified Signing Agent program

    The National Notary Association's Certified Signing Agent (NSA) course teaches you the anatomy of a loan package - what each document is, why it must be signed, and common errors to avoid. The background check included in the program is required by most title companies. Plan to spend $65-$100 and a full study day to pass the exam.

  3. 3

    Purchase your supplies and E&O insurance

    Buy a quality self-inking notary stamp, a notary journal (required in most states), a laser printer, and paper. Get E&O insurance ($40-$80/year) through the NNA or a third-party provider. Without E&O, most title companies will refuse to book you regardless of your certification status.

  4. 4

    Create profiles on Snapdocs and Signing Order

    Snapdocs is the dominant platform for connecting signing agents with title companies. Complete your profile fully, upload your credentials, and set your service area radius. Signing Order is a secondary platform worth registering on. Be responsive to assignment offers - platforms surface agents who respond quickly.

  5. 5

    Practice with a sample loan package

    Download a sample loan package from the NNA or YouTube tutorials. Walk yourself through the signing process - tabbing signature pages, explaining documents briefly to borrowers, and collecting the right signatures in the right places. Your first live signing will go much smoother if you have dry-run the process.

  6. 6

    Market directly to title companies and attorneys

    Search for local title companies, real estate closing attorneys, and escrow companies. Send a professional introduction email with your certifications, coverage area, and E&O limits. Direct relationships bypass platform fees and can lead to preferred status - meaning they call you first for every signing in your area.

  7. 7

    Diversify into general notary work

    During slow real estate periods, market general notary services - wills, powers of attorney, hospital visits, and apostille certification. Hospitals, hospices, and law firms regularly need mobile notaries who can respond quickly. These jobs pay $25-$50 each but provide consistent volume when loan signings slow down.

Where to Find Signing Assignments

Largest platform Snapdocs Signing Agent Marketplace The dominant platform used by title companies to find signing agents. High volume of assignments in most markets. Mobile app makes it easy to accept and manage signings. Platform takes a percentage of each fee. Direct assignments Signing Order Signing Agent Marketplace Second major platform with consistent assignment flow. Register alongside Snapdocs for maximum coverage. Lower volume than Snapdocs but worth maintaining an active profile. Veteran community Notary Rotary Directory & Community Older platform with a forum community of experienced signing agents. Good for networking, advice from veterans, and additional assignment listings. Also has a signing company directory for direct outreach. General notary NotaryCafe Notary Directory Connects clients needing general notarization (not just loans) with commissioned notaries. Good for building volume between loan signing appointments with wills, POA, and document authentication work.

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Client outreach templates, mileage tracking sheets, a notary pricing guide, and tax checklists - everything to launch your notary business profitably.

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Taxes as a Notary Signing Agent

⚠

You'll owe self-employment tax on all signing fees

Notary signing agents are independent contractors. All fees received are self-employment income subject to 15.3% self-employment tax plus income tax. Mileage, supplies, E&O insurance, certification fees, and printer costs are all deductible, which significantly reduces your taxable income.

Calculate My Tax Bill - Free

Key tax rules for notary signing agents

  • ✓ Track every mile driven to and from signing appointments. At $0.67/mile (2024 rate), 10,000 miles = $6,700 in deductions.
  • ✓ Deduct all supplies: notary stamp, journal, paper, toner, printer maintenance, and any signing bags or organizational tools.
  • ✓ E&O insurance and NNA membership are fully deductible business expenses. Keep receipts for all professional fees.
  • ✓ Set aside 25-30% of each signing fee for taxes. With deductions, your effective tax rate will typically be lower than the gross 25-30% estimate.
  • ✓ Pay quarterly estimates if you expect to owe more than $1,000. Due dates: April 15, June 15, September 15, January 15.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a notary signing agent make per appointment?
Loan signing appointments typically pay $75-$200 depending on your market and whether you print the documents yourself. Standard refinance signings pay $75-$100. Complex purchase closings with extra signers pay $125-$200. A part-time signing agent doing 2-3 appointments per week can earn $800-$2,000 per month.
How long does it take to become a notary public?
The state notary commission process takes 4-8 weeks in most states, including the application, background check, and approval period. The NNA Certified Signing Agent training and exam can be completed in 1-2 days. Most people are ready to take their first signing within 30-60 days of starting the process.
Do I need a printer to be a notary signing agent?
Yes. Loan document packages are 100-200+ pages and must be printed before the appointment. A laser printer is strongly recommended over inkjet for speed and reliability. Title companies typically pay a printing fee ($15-$25) included in your total signing fee, which more than covers paper and toner costs.
What is E&O insurance for notaries?
Errors and Omissions insurance protects you financially if you make a mistake on notarized documents that causes a client financial harm. Most title companies require $25,000-$100,000 in E&O coverage before they will hire you. Annual premiums run $40-$80 for basic coverage and are fully tax deductible as a business expense.
Does the real estate market affect notary income?
Yes significantly. Loan signing volume is directly tied to mortgage originations - refinances and home purchases. When interest rates rise sharply, refinance volume drops and signing agents see fewer assignments. Diversifying into wills, powers of attorney, hospital visits, and apostille certification helps stabilize income during slow real estate periods. Use our 1099 tax calculator to plan accordingly.