Does it get much easier than getting paid to watch someone sign a few papers? Didn’t think so. Learn how to become a notary and get paid up to $200 per hour in your spare time.
Bonus Material: Free Passive Income Calculator
There is a good chance you’re going to need a notary at some point in your life.
Buying a new home? Going to need a notary.
Creating a will? Going to need a notary.
Giving power of attorney to your kids? Need a notary.
A Notary Public is a person with integrity. They are appointed by the government so that tells you their level of importance.
Notary’s serve as impartial witnesses for a host of fraud-deterring acts related to signing important documents.
Signing mortgages, creating a will, granting power of attorney…those are all documents that need to be signed with a notary public present.
They also ensure that someone isn’t signing something under duress. Making sure that someone being blackmailed isn’t signing over a house.
You might be thinking “so they just sit and watch people sign documents?” Pretty much.
It doesn’t sound like a lot, but the position holds a lot of importance.
And for that reason, there is a hefty fee associated with having a notary public present for document signings.
That’s where you can make $200 per hour as a notary.
How to Make Money as a Notary
One of the best ways to guarantee paid gigs as a notary is by becoming a loan signing agent.
A loan signing agent is a notary public that is present when loan documents are signed.
When someone purchases or refinances a home, a loan signing agent walks them through the final paperwork signing.
They’ll print off all the papers, meet the borrowers, and have them sign the papers.
After that, they’ll send the documents to the lender and collect their fee.
That simple process of printing documents, watching someone sign papers, and then dropping them off in the mail takes about an hour.
For that hour of simple work you can make between $75 and $200.
It has got to be one of the easiest side hustles imaginable!
Because each appointment only takes an hour, it’s also one of the most flexible ways to make money in your spare time.
First things first, though. Before you can become a loan signing agent, you’ve got to learn how to become a notary.
General Steps on How to Become a Notary
- Meet all your state’s qualifications (see below)
- Complete and submit an application
- Pay the state’s filing fee
- Get training from an approved teacher (if required)
- Pass a state-administered exam (if required)
- Complete fingerprinting and background check (if required)
- Receive your commission certificate from the state
- Get your surety bond (if required)
- File your commission paperwork (and bond) with your Notary regulating official
- Buy your notary supplies
State by State Notary Requirements
State Mandated Course: Yes, Free Course
State Mandated Test: Self Assessment Test
Notary Requirements
Who can be a notary?
Pretty much any adult.
It changes depending on which state you live. In general anyone over 18 years old with no criminal background and is a resident of the state can become a notary.
How much does it cost to be a notary?
Depends on your state. It can range from $100 to a few hundred.
The filing fee is usually pretty cheap. If your state requires education or an exam, things can get more expensive.
There is also the cost of supplies and your bond (if one is needed).
Find your state in the table above for a link to each state’s requirements. You’ll get a better idea of the costs there.
Do I need a background check to be a notary?
Some states need a background check.
Others only require one if mark on the application that you’ve been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony.
To become a loan signing agent, you’ll need to take a separate background check. This is separate from becoming a notary.
What notary supplies are required by the state?
In general you need: certificates, a stamp, and a journal.
The stamp is a seal that you use on certificates to certify the documents.
A journal is there for your record keeping and keeps track of your notarizations.
Some states don’t require that you keep a record, but it’s a best practice that all notaries should follow.
Notary Training
Does my state require notary training?
Another state by state requirement.
If your state does require training, it must be approved by the state.
How long will it take to complete the course?
The courses are typically short. My research couldn’t turn up any required course that took longer than a day to complete.
Most took only a couple hours. Some states even offer online courses that can be completed at home.
How much does notary training cost?
It varies. If the training does have a cost, it is typically less than $200.
Most of the required trainings are free.
Notary Exams
Do I need to take a notary exam?
See the table above. As always, go to your states website to see their requirements.
Most do not require an exam.
How long will the notary exam take to complete?
If your state does require an exam, it takes around an hour to complete.
Some states will include fingerprinting at the completion of your exam.
Bonds and Insurance
Will I need a Notary Bond in my state?
Most states do require a surety bond. The amount that is required varies widely.
The amounts can vary from $500 all the way up to $25,000.
The surety bond protects your customers. If a mistake is made for some reason, the bond is there to pay for damages. You then repay the bond company based on their repayment schedule.
Is notary Errors and Omissions Insurance Required?
While a Notary Bond protects the customer, Errors and Omissions Insurance protects the notary.
States don’t require insurance because their concern is for the customer. That’s why most of them require a Notary Bond.
Notaries should consider buying insurance to protect themselves in case of a mistake.
Notary Commission
Who regulates notaries?
Notaries are regulated by the state. Most of time it is handled through the Secretary of State’s office.
How long does it take to become a notary?
Depending on your state, it can take a couple weeks.
If your state requires training and exams, the process can take a while longer. Sometimes up to a couple months.
Where will I be able to notarize?
You can notarize throughout the entire state you’re authorized in.
Who can I notarize for?
Anyone and everyone. At least anyone with a legitimate and legal request for a notarization. They also need to have an acceptable ID.
How long is a notary term?
Once you’re certified as a notary, the term typically lasts 4 years. After that time you need to renew your certification.
Some states have a longer certification period. Check with your state for specifics.
Why is the notary process different in every state?
Because notaries are not governed at the federal level, each state can write their own policies.
They typically arise because of lawsuits or damage to the public.
When that happens, a state will enact laws to protect consumers.
You're a Notary, Now What?
You’ve taken the required tests, exams and background checks.
Now what do you do to start making money? Find customers!
This is when you start down the path of becoming a loan signing agent.
Why is Loan Signing Such a Great Side Hustle?
- It’s great money. $75 to $200 an hour is amazing. If you were able to earn that at a full-time job, that would be between $150,000 and $400,000 a year!
- You can do it part-time. Most signings occur in the evenings and on weekends. Since you set your schedule, you can do it whenever you’ve got free time.
- It takes little to no experience. No interview or resume necessary. Most people look for agents based on how close they are.
- You can work from home and take advantage of great tax write-offs.
- You can make money almost immediately. Find a signing opportunity and get paid within a few days.
- No degrees necessary. Once you’re a certified notary public, you’re ready to go!
- Very low start-up costs. The most expensive purchase is a decent printer.
- No selling. You don’t need to entice customers to use you. The customer needs to sign some documents and they come looking for you. They’re required to use someone like you!
- You can learn to be a loan signing agent and be up in running in a couple weeks.
How to Become a Loan Signing Agent
After becoming a registered notary, you’ve pretty much become a loan signing agent.
Loan signing agents are different than a notary public in the knowledge they have.
All loan signing agents know about loan documents while not all notary publics do.
This is the key part to becoming a loan signing agent.
You’ve got to know the documents inside and out so as to answer any questions the customer has.
Learning the documents can be a bit time consuming.
That’s why taking a course is such a good idea.
The best one out there I’ve seen is the Loan Signing System by Mark Wills.
About the Loan Signing System
Mark has done over 10,000 loan signings and even hires thousands of notary signing agents every year to conduct signings.
He’s taken the knowledge gained over 15 years in the business and funneled it into this course.There are three different course options:
- Fundamental Course
- Professional Course
- Six Figure Course.
The Fundamental Course will teach you the basics: what a set of loan documents look like, how to get signings, video of a signing in action, and a private Facebook group for support.
The Professional Course teaches everything in the Fundamentals Course plus: how to get the highest paying loan signings, how to get signings from escrow officers, and how to get repeat signings by packaging loan docs.
Finally, the Six Figure Course has both the Fundamentals and Professional information with 120 days of ongoing mentorship, First American and Fidelity approval packages, training from escrow officers and mortgage professionals.
Most people could probably get away with the Professional Course.
The big thing to learn is how to get the highest paying loan signings. Those that are up to $150 and $200+.
You get those rates by working directly with escrow officers.
Where it looks like there is a lot of value in the Six Figure Course is the ongoing mentorship and the First American and Fidelity approval packages.
First American and Fidelity are the largest title companies in the United States. Instead of figuring out how to sign up with both on your own, the Six Figure Course lays it out for you as easy as possible.
Conclusion
This might be one of the best side hustles I’ve come across.
Making $200 per hour doing a job that requires no degree or long, specialized training.
After a class or two, you’re making great money in your spare time. The cost of taking a course like the Loan Signing System is made up in just a couple gigs.
If you’re someone that likes their day job but wants to make some good money on the side, I think this is the perfect opportunity.
Have you ever thought about becoming a notary? Did you know it was such an easy way to make money?