How to Start a Notary Business: 10 Practical Tips (2026)

Q: How much does it cost to start a notary business?

Basic startup costs are $100-$400: application fee, bond if required, stamp, journal, and E&O insurance. A dual-tray printer adds $200-$500 for loan signings.

Q: Can I be a notary as a side business?

Yes. Most notaries start part-time. General and mobile work can be scheduled around a day job. Loan signings are often evenings and weekends.

Q: Do I need a business license to be a notary?

Your commission authorizes notarizations. Some cities require an additional business license. Check with your local government.

Q: How do notaries find clients?

Google Business Profile, signing platforms, directory listings, and direct relationships with real estate agents and title companies.

Q: How much can a notary business make?

General work: a few hundred/month part-time. Mobile notary: $500-$2,000/month. Full-time signing agents: $3,000-$8,000/month in active markets.

Published August 3, 2024 · Updated May 21, 2026

Starting a notary business is straightforward compared to many other businesses: low startup costs, no inventory, and a clear regulatory path. But the difference between a notary who makes occasional pocket money and one who earns a real income comes down to how you set things up from the start. Here are ten tips that matter.

1. Get Commissioned First

Everything starts with your notary commission. Requirements vary by state. Most require an application, a fee, and sometimes a training course or exam. Some states also require a surety bond.

Check your Secretary of State’s website for exact requirements. See our 50-state guide to becoming a notary.

2. Decide What Type of Notary Work You Want

Not all notary businesses are the same. The main paths:

General notary work: Walk-in appointments, real estate closings, power of attorney, affidavits. Lower fees ($5–$25 per signature) but consistent demand.
Mobile notary: You travel to the client. You charge a travel fee on top of the notarization fee. Good for clients who cannot come to you (hospitals, nursing homes, offices).
Loan signing agent: You guide borrowers through real estate loan document signings. Higher pay ($75–$200 per signing) but requires training and comfort with loan documents. See our guide to becoming a signing agent.

Many notaries do all three. Start with general work, then add mobile and signing agent services as you build experience.

3. Invest in the Right Supplies

Notary seal/stamp (required in most states)
Notary journal (required in most states, recommended everywhere)
E&O insurance (errors and omissions: protects you from liability claims, $50–$150/year)
Business cards (always carry them)
Dual-tray laser printer (if you plan to do loan signings: legal and letter paper trays)
Mobile phone with hotspot (for scanning and sending documents from the field)

4. Set Your Fees

Most states set a maximum fee you can charge per notarization. Check your state’s limit: charging more is illegal.

For mobile notary work, you charge the per-signature fee plus a travel fee. Travel fees are not regulated in most states. Common ranges: $25–$75 for travel, depending on distance.

For loan signing work, fees are set by the hiring company. Signing services typically pay $75–$125. Direct title company work pays $125–$200.

5. Get a Google Business Profile

This is the single most important marketing step for a local notary. When someone Googles “notary near me,” Google shows local business profiles first. If you have one, you show up. If you do not, you do not.

Create a free Google Business Profile
Use your real name and “Notary Public” in the business name
Add your service area, hours, phone number, and website
Ask every client for a review: positive reviews push you higher in search results

6. Build Relationships with Real Estate Agents

Real estate agents are your best source of repeat business. They close deals regularly and often need mobile notaries or signing agents for their clients.

Join your local Realtor association
Attend networking events and real estate meetups
Offer a discounted first signing to agents you want to work with
Follow up after every signing, a quick “Thanks, let me know when the next one is” goes a long way

7. Get on Signing Platforms and Directories

List yourself where companies look for notaries:

Snapdocs, NotaryDash: signing platforms that dispatch work to nearby agents
123Notary, Notary Rotary, NNA SigningAgent.com: directories where title companies search for agents by zip code

See our guide to signing platforms, directories, and services.

8. Track Your Income and Expenses

Notary income is typically reported as self-employment income. Track everything:

Mileage driven to signings (deductible)
Supplies (stamp, journal, printer ink, paper)
Insurance (E&O, surety bond)
Training and continuing education
Phone and internet (if used for business)

Use a simple spreadsheet or accounting app. Come tax season, you will be glad you did.

9. Stay Current on Your State’s Laws

Notary laws change. Training requirements get added. Fee limits get updated. RON (remote online notarization) rules are still evolving in many states. Check your Secretary of State’s website when your commission renews. If your state requires continuing education, do not let it lapse.

10. Start Before You Feel Ready

A lot of notaries delay launching because they are waiting to feel fully prepared. You do not need a perfect website, the best printer, or a polished elevator pitch on day one. You need your commission, your stamp, your journal, and your phone number. Start taking appointments. Refine as you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to start a notary business?

Basic startup costs are $100–$400: application fee ($10–$120 depending on state), surety bond if required ($50–$100), stamp ($15–$25), journal ($10–$20), and E&O insurance ($50–$150/year). A dual-tray printer for loan signings adds $200–$500.

Can I be a notary as a side business?

Yes. Most notaries start part-time. General notary work and mobile notary appointments can be scheduled around your day job. Loan signing work is more time-sensitive but can also be done evenings and weekends.

Do I need a business license to be a notary?

Your notary commission is your authorization to perform notarizations. Some cities require an additional business license if you are operating a business within city limits. Check with your local government.

How do notaries find clients?

Google Business Profile (for “notary near me” searches), signing platforms (Snapdocs, NotaryDash), directory listings (123Notary, Notary Rotary), and direct relationships with real estate agents and title companies. Word of mouth builds over time.

How much can a notary business make?

General notary work: a few hundred dollars per month part-time. Mobile notary: $500–$2,000/month depending on volume and area. Full-time loan signing agents: $3,000–$8,000/month in active markets. Your income depends on how much effort you put into marketing and building relationships.