What are the pros and cons of being a notary signing agent?

• Flexible schedule and hours. Most notary signing agents are self-employed, which means they create their own working hours and schedules to a great degree.

  Self-employed notary signing agents also benefit from choosing where they work. Some have home-based or traditional offices, while others might travel to provide service.

• Income. Notaries are appointed by their states and serve as public officials. They charge their clients directly, and the fee is theirs to keep.

  Many become notaries to make additional income, while others take on the profession full-time. Some even become mobile notaries in their communities where they commute to their clients.

  The great aspect is that many clients need more than one signature notarized, so a notary's earnings from a single client interaction can be high. Notaries can also charge additional fees for supplies, travel, and other related expenses.

• Notaries are in high demand. There is a high demand for notaries in many industries, such as banking, finance, government, legal, insurance, technology, etc.

  This means most notaries don't have a hard time finding work. It also means that they can get exposed to a wide variety of industries.

  Having notary experience is also a valuable addition to your resume. Many employers prefer candidates with notary skills and experience if the role involves authenticating documentation.

  So being a notary can be a stepping stone to getting a career in an industry you've always wanted to work in.

Cons:

• Unreliable income stream. Yes, income can be a con, too, in this field. Self-employed notaries often have difficulty making a consistent and reliable revenue stream.

  The number of jobs you get can sometimes be very unpredictable, making it hard to rely on as a sole occupation sometimes. Some in the field do their notary work as a second job.

• Mistakes can be costly. Mistakes concerning documentation that notaries deal with can have significant repercussions, the worst being a potential lawsuit.

  If you choose to go into this field, do not take your job lightly, and make sure you use the proper level of focus when doing your notary work.

• It can be expensive to become a notary signing agent. Becoming a notary can sometimes be expensive. This is relative to your budget, but there are plenty of costs to keep in mind when becoming a notary signing agent, like:

  • LLC registration costs for your business

  • Marketing expenses

  • Website maintenance

  • Office Supplies

  • Training and Education

  • Professional certification

  Research your state's requirements to understand how much becoming a notary will cost you.