How to Become a Notary

A Notary Public witnesses a citizen's signature on certain documents or administers oaths as a representative of the state. The most common use of Notary Publics is in the signing and verification of documents that an individual is signing at his or her own free will. For this service the notary receives a fee set by the state. However notaries can charge travel fees etc. that exceed the fee set by the state government.

There are a few things every state requires for a person to become a mobile notary. However on many things, states are different, so it is imperative to know state laws and eligibility requirements regarding this process. To start, every person wishing to acquire their notary license must be at least 18 years old and an official resident of the state in which you want to be a notary. If you are over 18 congratulations you made it past the first step.

The second step is to acquire the application for a notary commission. You can obtain this from a local state office or from the nonprofit National Notary Association (NNA). Note again that each state has different eligibility criteria for its notaries. NNA has some great information on their site regarding eligibility requirements, so look at them. Most states will do some sort of background check on you before giving you your commission, but it once again varies. Things to be prepared for are paying a filing fee, and in most states to post a bond before assuming office. Some states also require fingerprinting and examinations or training before the application can be turned in. These are important things to keep in mind and look up for your state.

Before turning in your application, get some insight on the law, ethics, and different situations that notaries encounter. There are workshops on the NNA site and many helpful forums on the web. Then send in your application (remember: after taking required tests only in certain states)

You will then need to take your Oath of Office, which is conducted in front of a notary public. You have to be approved by the state to receive your notary commission and only after this will you do the oath of affirmation.

Insurance brokers will help you acquire your bond and file the final paperwork. Pay for an official notary seal after you have taken the oath. They can be found all over. Many states also require an official inked rubber stamp on documents, but in few cases.

Once these tasks are completed, you stand a certified Notary Public. To make this a successful business, it is important to advertise yourself as a notary and approach local businesses and neighbors. You never know who will need a notary and where you might show up.