How to Start a Notary Business

A notary public acts as a certified and legal witness, providing their signature in exchange for proof of identification. Standard notarized legal documents include contracts, mortgages, and property deeds. Notary public businesses serve customers either from a home office, brick-and-mortar establishment, mobile, or online.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? We recommend forming an LLC as it is the most affordable way to protect your personal assets. You can do this yourself or with our trusted partner for a small fee.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

DIY: How to Start an LLC

Start a notary business by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Notary Business
  2. Form your Notary Business into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Notary Business for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Notary Business
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Notary Business
  7. Get Notary Business Insurance
  8. Define your Notary Business Brand
  9. Create your Notary Business Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your notary business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Notary Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a notary business?

Training and licensure fees range from $90 to $225, depending upon the state in which you reside and its specific requirements. Bonds average $125 and last the life of your certification, which is typically four years.

In some cases, a notary mentor is required and may charge a fee for advising you. If this is the case, the NNA’s LinkedIn discussion group is a great resource for finding a qualified mentor.

If your vision includes a brick-and-mortar establishment, you will incur the standard expenses that come with leasing a building. If yours is a mobile business, be sure you have reliable transportation and the insurance required to do so.

Regardless of which path you choose, a website should be included in your initial budget. A simple site should be sufficient, unless you wish to host an online notary business. Simple sites can be built for less than $1,000, while more complicated and secure websites can run $3,500 or above.

What are the ongoing expenses for a notary business?

If you decide to open a brick-and-mortar business, budget for the standard overhead expenses that come with leasing an office.

The following are expenses you should budget for on a monthly basis:

  • Fuel costs – mobile notaries spend much of their time traveling from customer to customer
  • Website maintenance
  • Marketing materials
  • Fees for local and national associations
  • Insurance
  • Payroll and taxes
  • Continuing education requirements vary from state to state – the standard is every four years

Who is the target market?

Notary businesses are cautioned against pigeonholing themselves into serving just one type of client. There are a number of different types of documents that require a notary; it is recommended that you target as many as possible when marketing to the public.

How does a notary business make money?

A notary business charges a fee for each document they notarize. Building a relationship with organizations that require a notary regularly is a great way to ensure a steady flow of income.

How much can you charge customers?

This depends upon what type of document you are signing and who your client is. Banks and credit unions often make their notary services available to customers free of charge, while you might charge $5-$10 for the same service. Loan signing agents earn $75 to $200 per appointment.

How much profit can a notary business make?

Once you have built a referral base and are getting regular signings each week, the business can be very profitable. Full-time notary signing agents work an average of forty to forty-five hours a week, including driving to appointments. This works out to fifteen signings per month. If your fee is $100 per signing, you will bring in an average of $6,000 per month or $78,000 annually. Since your overhead is low, much of those earnings turn into profit. To maximize profits, carefully consider your fee structure and payroll costs before bringing on another team member.   

How can you make your business more profitable?

Implement the following strategies to maximize your profits:

  • Offer bilingual notary public services
  • Make your services available 24/7
  • Offer additional services such as photocopying and printing
  • Diversify to include as many specialties as possible. A few options are:
  • Unclaimed assets
  • Foreign documents
  • Working with attorneys
  • Working with structured settlement firms

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your notary business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your notary business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a notary public business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Certificate of Occupancy

A notary public business is generally run out of an office. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease a location:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a notary public business.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build a location:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your notary public business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Notary Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Notary Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a notary business

Regardless of how you structure your business there are a number of affordable options for marketing your business. Social media is a great way to educate the public on the services you offer.

Online directories such as Yelp are another option for ensuring consumers in your community are aware of your presence, location, fees, and hours. Additionally, associations such as The American Society of Notaries offer members free professional profiles.

Once your marketing materials are printed, get out and network within the community. Visit local banks, mortgage companies, title companies, real estate offices, government offices, charitable organizations, and professional organizations, and notify them of your services. Attend small business events through your local Chamber of Commerce and community service enterprises. Building a referral base takes time, but is typically the foundation of every successful small business.

How to keep customers coming back

Your focus should be on delivering quality and timely service to each and every customer you serve. Keep in mind that your job is to notarize private and sensitive documents. If word travels that you were anything but professional, your business could take a permanent hit.   

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

The individual who has the drive and ambition to work hard at building a reputable and profitable career as their own boss.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a notary business?

When not notarizing documents for clients, business owners spend their time networking and implementing ideas defined in their marketing strategy. Mobile business owners spend a portion of each day traveling to meet their customer’s needs.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful notary business?

Notary publics must complete a state training course and pass the state exam (specific rules vary from state to state). Once you have done so, you will need to mail your application in, along with a fee, to the state notary commission. Upon acceptance, you will swear the oath and purchase any required bonds. Some states also require a notary seal. The National notary Association (NNA) provides details regarding each state’s notary requirements, as well as real-life examples of situations you could be faced with in your public servant position.

What is the growth potential for a notary business?

Before opening your business, research other notary services in the area. Is there a demand for it? What other services do they offer? What hours are they available? Is your area in need of a mobile service? How many online notaries are available in your state? Tailor your services and hours around what your community is lacking to ensure your company grows to meet your business goals.    

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a notary business?

Notary public business owners offer the following professional advice:

  • Join a local or national notary association. Attend workshops. This membership will help you stay current on new laws, network within the community, and tweak your marketing strategy.
  • Make yourself available when other notaries are not. After five, on weekends, and during holidays are the perfect times to land business your competition is missing out on.
  • If you choose to have a physical location, make your business more profitable by offering additional services.
  • Diversify – Look into the various notary specialties and expand your services to include as many as possible.

How and when to build a team

If you plan on having a physical location, there are a few questions you will need to consider: Do you want to be a notary or would you rather hire someone to take on that responsibility? What hours do you want the notary available? What other services do you plan to offer? Do you want to be in charge of the additional services or would you rather oversee the enterprise? In many cases, notary public business owners choose to start small, hiring more employees as the business grows. If this is the case, however, prepare yourself for long hours.

Mobile and online notaries have a little more flexibility, as they do not have the added pressure of higher overhead costs. In this case, you could hire additional employees as the need arises. Before hiring anyone, check with your state to ensure they meet the notary guidelines.  

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading