How to Make Money as a Notary in 2026 (Step by Step)

If you’re searching for how to make money as a notary in 2026, you’re probably wondering what actually pays. Yes, you can make money, but it depends on your state rules, your service mix, and how you find repeat work.

This post breaks the process into simple steps, from your commission and supplies to your first paid jobs. You’ll learn the difference between standard notarizations, mobile notary work, and loan signing assignments, and how each impacts your income.

You’ll also get practical guardrails, like what fees are capped, what travel charges you can justify, and where beginners lose money. That way, you can grow fast without getting sloppy.

Related: How to Make Money as a Photographer (2026) Step by Step

Right notary setup in your state

If you want to learn how to make money as a notary, your first “income move” is not marketing, it’s getting your commission the right way for your state. Notary rules are state-run, so small details matter: whether you must take a class, pass an exam, buy a bond, keep a journal, or complete extra steps for remote online notarization (RON). Get the setup right once, and everything you do after that is faster, cleaner, and safer.

Check eligibility

Most states start with the same foundation: you must be 18+, meet residency (or in-state work) requirements, and pass a background screening. After that, the paths split. Some states require a state-approved course, some require an exam, and some require both. A few states also require you to file an oath, register your bond, or record your commission at the county level before you can notarize anything.

A simple step-by-step path that works in most states looks like this:

1. Find your state’s commissioning page (usually the Secretary of State or Lieutenant Governor).
2. Confirm eligibility (age, residency or employment, criminal history rules).
3. Choose the correct training (state-required course vs optional skills training).
4. Schedule the exam (if your state requires one).
5. Submit the application and pay the state fee.
6. Complete the oath and bond filing (if required).
7. Order your seal and journal only after you know your exact formatting rules.

Two practical tips save money fast:

• Verify the course is accepted in your state. Plenty of providers sell “notary courses” that teach general concepts but don’t satisfy your state’s legal requirement.
• Don’t assume RON rules match standard commissioning. In 2026, several states have tightened or clarified training and tech steps for online notarizations. Keep an eye on legislative changes through a reputable tracker like the American Society of Notaries law updates, then confirm your exact timeline with your state.

If you want an example of how specific state requirements can be, skim a state page like California’s checklist, which lays out age, residency, course, exam, and background check requirements in plain language on the California Secretary of State notary qualifications page. Use it as a reminder to avoid guesswork in your own state.

Budget for the real startup costs

Notary startup costs are usually manageable, but they are not zero. Plan for the expenses below so you can get commissioned without stalling out halfway through.

Typical costs include:

• Application and commissioning fees: Paid to your state, sometimes plus fingerprinting or processing fees.
• Surety bond (required in many states): This protects the public, not you. If you make a mistake that causes financial harm, the claim can be paid out, and you may have to reimburse the bond company.
• Stamp or seal: Your official tool, and it must meet your state’s design rules.
• Journal (required in many states): Your record of each notarization. Even if your state doesn’t require one, keeping a journal can protect you.
• Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance (often optional, sometimes required for certain work): This protects you by helping cover legal defense and certain claim costs tied to unintentional mistakes.

A realistic beginner budget in most states is $150 to $500, depending on whether your state requires an exam, fingerprints, or a larger bond. If you’re also preparing for loan signings or remote work, your upfront costs can rise, but you don’t need to buy everything on day one.

Start lean checklist: pay your state fees, get the required bond, buy a compliant seal and a basic journal, then add E&O when you start taking higher-risk appointments.

Workflow and compliance habits

Compliance is what keeps your notary income stable. One sloppy appointment can create a complaint, a rejected document, or worse, a legal mess that eats your time and money.

Build these habits early:

• Journal every appointment (even if optional), and fill it out before the signer leaves.
• Check ID carefully, and match the name to the document. If something doesn’t match, stop and fix it first.
• Refuse suspicious requests. If someone seems confused, pressured, or is asking you to “just stamp it,” you’re allowed to say no.
• Never notarize your own signature or a document where you’re a named party. It’s a basic conflict rule that trips up beginners.
• Stay inside your commission rules, including fee caps, required wording, and whether your state allows travel fees or requires posted fees.

Use this repeatable checklist for every appointment:

1. Confirm the signer is present (in-person, or via approved RON platform if authorized).
2. Review the document for blanks (don’t give legal advice, just avoid obvious problems).
3. Verify ID, record details, and confirm willingness and awareness.
4. Watch the signature, complete the certificate, apply your seal, then collect your fee.
5. Finish the journal entry, get any required signatures or thumbprints, and store your records securely.

Do this consistently, and you’ll build a reputation for clean, accepted notarizations, which is the fastest path to repeat clients and better-paying work.

Choose your best notary

If you’re figuring out how to make money as a notary in 2026, the fastest way to get traction is to pick one primary lane (where you’ll focus your time) and one add-on (that fills gaps in your schedule). Think of it like building a stable weekly menu: one dependable “main dish” and one profitable “side” you can sell when demand shows up.

A simple rule helps: local notarizations are easiest to start, mobile work boosts your average ticket, loan signings pay more per appointment but expect precision, and RON (remote online notarization) rewards speed and availability.

Local notarizations

Local notarizations are the most straightforward path because your pricing is usually set by your state. In many states, you’re paid per notarial act (often per signature), and fee caps limit what you can charge for the notarization itself. Realtime data for 2026 shows typical per-signature ranges often land around $10 to $15 in many states, but your exact maximum can be higher or lower, and some states set separate limits for different acts.

Volume is what moves your income here. If you can complete 6 short appointments in a day at $10 per act (and each has two notarizations), that’s about $120 gross for work that can be scheduled close together.

Common local documents you’ll see include:

• Affidavits (name changes, residency, small claims, sworn statements)
• Powers of attorney (financial or medical)
• School forms (travel consent, enrollment paperwork, special program forms)
• Vehicle title transfers and simple DMV-related documents (varies by state)

Your best local clients usually come from places that constantly need notarization: shipping stores, independent mailbox centers, small law offices, tax preparers, senior living communities, and people searching “notary near me.” For a quick reference on how fee limits vary, check a state-by-state guide like average notary fees by state.

Mobile notary work

Mobile work is where you stop earning “per stamp” and start earning “per visit.” In many states, you can charge the capped notarization fee plus a separate travel or convenience fee (as long as you disclose it upfront and follow your state rules). That extra fee is what makes the math work.

A simple pricing structure you can use as a starting point:

• Notarization fee: your state maximum per act
• Base travel fee: a flat fee for a set radius (example: $35 within 10 miles)
• Distance add-on: a per-mile amount after the base radius (example: $1.50 per mile)
• After-hours add-on: evenings, weekends, and short-notice (example: +$25)

Realtime data suggests many mobile jobs land around $35 to $105 total depending on distance and timing. The hard part is efficiency. Your income drops fast when you zigzag across town.

Keep routes tight by batching appointments by area, setting specific time windows, and avoiding “just one quick stop” that adds 30 minutes of driving. If you want a practical breakdown of mobile pricing logic, see mobile notary pricing guidance.

Loan signings as a notary signing agent

A notary signing agent (NSA) handles loan document signings, confirms key signatures and initials, follows lender and title instructions, and returns the package correctly. It’s not “better notarizing,” it’s process management under pressure, with timelines and zero tolerance for sloppy work.

This path can pay more because the appointment is larger and the stakes are higher. Realtime data commonly places loan signing fees around $100 to $200 per appointment, depending on your area, package size, and whether scanbacks are required.

Expect these basics:

• Training and certification (to understand loan packages and signing flow)
• Background screening (often required by hiring parties)
• Printing capability (dual-tray laser printer helps), plus scanner for scanbacks
• Drop-offs that meet shipping cutoffs (late packages can cost you clients)
• A calm, professional signing style that keeps signers confident and on track

This lane is harder because mistakes are expensive. A missed signature, wrong date, or incomplete certificate can lead to re-signs, chargebacks, and fewer future assignments.

Remote online notarization

Remote online notarization (RON) is notarization done over a secure audio-video session using an approved online platform.

To get paid with RON, you typically need your notary commission plus any state RON approval steps, an approved RON platform, a reliable webcam and mic, strong internet, a digital seal, and identity proofing (knowledge-based questions and credential checks, depending on state and platform).

Platforms may pay you a flat rate per notarization, or they may take a cut and let you set the rest. Realtime data suggests many RON sessions fall in the $25 to $75 per document range, and some platforms advertise simple flat pricing. Speed matters because you’re often competing on response time and availability.

RON stacks well with mobile work: you can take online sessions during weekday gaps, then book higher-ticket mobile appointments in the evenings and weekends. For a sense of what consumers are paying online (which shapes what platforms can pay you), see online notary cost trends for 2026.

Simple monthly money goal

If you want to learn how to make money as a notary, you can’t treat pricing like a guess. Think of your prices like road signs, they keep you legal, keep clients calm, and keep you from driving across town for $12.

Your notary fee is often capped by your state, but your appointment value doesn’t have to be. The difference is how you quote travel, time, printing, and urgency (when allowed). Once you package it, you stop negotiating every call and you start booking faster.

Know what you can charge and how to quote fast

Most states set a maximum notary fee per act (like an acknowledgment or jurat). You can charge less, but not more. Before you set any prices, look up your state’s cap and keep it saved in your phone. A quick reference table can help you start, then confirm in your state’s official rules (see Notary fees by state).

Travel is different. In many states, travel or convenience fees are separate from the notarial act, and the rules vary. The safest habit is simple: agree to the travel fee before you drive, and make sure the client understands the full total.

Why it matters: surprises cause complaints, chargebacks, and bad reviews. A clear quote also protects you if the appointment changes (extra signers, extra stops, printing, waiting).

Copy and use this quick quote script:

“I can help. What document are you notarizing, and how many notarizations do you need (usually how many signatures need a stamp)? What’s the address, and what time works for you? My total price is $___, this includes the notary fee plus travel. Please have your unsigned document ready, and bring a current government-issued photo ID. If there are multiple signers, each person needs their own ID. Does that work for you?”

Create 3 beginner

Packages keep you consistent and make you easier to hire. Here are three simple options you can adjust to your state limits and your local drive times:

Upsell politely by staying factual: “I can do that, it just changes the total because it adds printing and a longer appointment.” You’re not pushing, you’re preventing surprises.

Track profit

Revenue is what you collect. Profit is what you keep. Notary work has sneaky costs: gas, tolls, parking, paper, toner, platform fees (RON), supplies, phone mounts, bags, E&O insurance, and bond renewals. A helpful list of common deductions is here: tax write-offs for notaries.

Use one simple spreadsheet with these columns: Date, Client, Service package, Miles, Gross paid, Gas/parking, Printing, Platform fees, Supplies, Net.

Then do a 10-minute weekly money check-in:

1. Total gross collected.
2. Total expenses logged.
3. Net profit (gross minus expenses).
4. Set aside 25 to 30 percent of net for taxes.

To go from $200 to $2,000 per month, keep the math simple:

• $200 goal: book 4 mobile appointments at $50 each.
• $2,000 goal: book 10 mobile appointments a week at $50 each, or 20 at $100 each across the month.

When you know your numbers, you stop hoping, and you start planning.

Get clients fast

If you want to learn how to make money as a notary, getting commissioned is only step one. Step two is getting picked. People hand you sensitive documents and personal IDs, so they choose the notary who feels safe, clear, and easy to book.

Your goal over the next 2 weeks is simple: build trust signals, collect a few reviews, then lock in 2 to 3 repeat sources. Think of it like setting up a “front desk” for your business, even if you’re doing this part-time.

Set up your trust signals in one afternoon

Do this on Day 1. You’re building the basics that make strangers comfortable calling you.

Start with a professional voicemail. Say your name, that you’re a commissioned notary, your service area, and a call-back promise (“I return calls within 1 business hour”). A clean voicemail is a tiny detail that wins jobs when people are stressed and time-boxed.

Next, write a simple service list (one screen long) that you can paste anywhere:

• Services: in-person notarizations, mobile notarizations (if you offer them), loan signings (only if trained), and RON (only if your state allows it and you’re approved).
• Hours: include your “real” availability. If you can do evenings, say so.
• Service area: list a core radius and your main neighborhoods/cities.
• Payment types: cash, card, Zelle, etc. Keep it simple.
• Clear photo ID policy: what you accept, what you don’t, and that the document must be unsigned before you arrive.

Your ID policy should be plain and firm, because it prevents awkward appointments. Example: “Each signer must have a current government-issued photo ID. If the name on the ID doesn’t match the document, we’ll pause and fix that first.”

Then set up reviews as early as possible. Reviews matter because most people searching “notary near me” are trying to reduce risk. You don’t need dozens, you need a handful of detailed ones that mention being on time, explaining the process, and staying professional.

After a smooth appointment, ask while the goodwill is fresh: “If today went well, would you mind leaving a quick review? It helps local people find a reliable notary.” Keep it non-pushy. Text them the link right after you leave.

For extra guidance on ethical promotion and what works for notaries, use the National Notary Association’s tips in advertising your notary services.

Find local clients

Days 2 to 10 are for relationships. You’re looking for places where notarization is not a rare event, it’s routine paperwork.

High-demand sources to visit or call (pick 3 per day):

• Real estate offices and brokerages
• Title companies
• Law firms (estate planning, family law, immigration)
• Hospitals and nursing homes (ask for patient services or social work)
• Jails (ask about their notary process and vendor requirements)
• Schools and colleges (registrar, athletics, study abroad)
• Shipping stores and mailbox centers (ask about overflow and after-hours help)
• Small businesses with HR paperwork (construction, trucking, property management)

Bring two items: a business card and a one-page service sheet. Your one-pager should include services, hours, service area, how to book, and your ID policy. Don’t overload it.

Use this simple outreach script in person or by phone:

“Hi, I’m [Name]. I’m a commissioned notary and I’m based in [area]. I’m reaching out because you likely have clients who need notarizations regularly. I can help with on-call mobile appointments and quick turnarounds during [your hours]. What’s the best way to be added as a backup notary when your usual option isn’t available?”

If they show interest, ask one closing question: “If I email you my service sheet, who should I address it to?” That moves you from a chat to a contact.

Use online listings

Days 3 to 7, clean up your online presence so you show up for “notary near me” searches.

Your Google Business Profile (and any directory listings) should match exactly:

• Business name: use your real name or a simple business name, stay consistent everywhere.
• Service area and hours: accurate and updated, including evenings if you take them.
• Services: be specific (mobile notary, acknowledgments, jurats, loan signings if qualified).
• Photos: a clear headshot, a clean work photo, and a photo of your business card or car magnet (no sensitive info).

Add a short FAQ right on your profile or website page:

• What ID is accepted?
• How does pricing work (state fee plus travel fee where allowed)?
• Do you travel, and what areas?
• What should the signer prepare (unsigned docs, all signers present, matching names)?

Stay compliant. Don’t claim you can do notarial acts your state doesn’t allow, and don’t advertise RON unless you’re approved to perform it. If you want broader ideas for online and at-home marketing, the NNA also covers options in finding notary customers from home.

Turn one-time jobs into repeat customers

Days 8 to 14, treat follow-up like part of the service. Most notaries don’t do it, which is why it works.

Use a simple follow-up text or email the next day:

“Thanks again for meeting yesterday. If anything gets rejected for a notary wording issue, tell me right away and I’ll help you fix it within state rules. If you ever need a notary again, you can reply here to book.”

That one sentence does two things: it shows confidence and it reduces fear.

Then build a referral habit. When a client sends you someone new, reply with a quick thank-you: “I appreciate the referral. If you ever need a last-minute appointment, message me and I’ll do my best to fit you in.” You’re training people to see you as their default.

Finally, lock in steady work by partnering with 2 to 3 small offices. Offer to be their “on-call” notary during set windows (for example, Tuesdays and Thursdays 11 to 2). If your state allows, you can also offer business account pricing for travel fees or bundled visits, but keep notarization fees within your state cap and disclose pricing upfront.

Over time, this is how you stop chasing random calls and start building predictable income, which is the real foundation for how to make money as a notary in 2026.

FAQ: How to Make Money as a Notary in 2026 (Step by Step)

Conclusion

You now have a clear path for how to make money as a notary in 2026: get commissioned the right way, stay strict on compliance, then choose a primary lane (local, mobile, loan signings, or RON) and sell it with clear pricing and trust signals. Earnings vary, but current 2026 pay snapshots from major job sites place average notary pay around $65,000 to $73,000 per year in employed roles, while self-employed income depends on how well you control scheduling, travel, and repeat clients.

Here’s your next-week checklist:

• Confirm your state rules and fee caps, then save them in your phone
• Finish application items (training, exam, background check, oath, bond)
• Buy essentials only (seal, journal, basic supplies, then E&O as you grow)
• Pick one income path for your first 30 days
• Set simple prices and a quote script (include travel and after-hours rules)
• Set up trust signals (voicemail, service list, ID policy, review link)
• Contact 10 local partners (law offices, title, senior communities, shipping stores)
• Book your first appointment, then ask for a review

Consistency and accuracy beat hype. One clean appointment can turn into a repeat source. Commit to one action today, either check your state requirements or write your one-screen service list. Thanks for reading, share what lane you’re choosing.