Tell me about the notary public occupation

[RecordProducer]

My mom is in her early 60s and she just moved to the US. She speaks English well and has a bachelor's degree, but she doesn't have any special skills. I was thinking being a notary public would be a good job for her, because she doesn't need something that's mentally or physically too challenging, considering her age and language barrier.

 

I used to fill out applications for people who were starting their own businesses when I was an administrative worker (in my previous life) and it was an easy job and lots of fun. There's a notary public office in my neighborhood which also does car registration, disability plates and various other government-imposed administrative tasks. I think they're easy to learn and the job is clean: no boss will yell at you, no multi-tasking, no stress, no dealing with crazy people since they don't come there for something that's substantive...

 

Any thoughts? Job opportunities, income, training...? Can she easily get a job at some office rather than work independently? If working on her own, how much does she need to invest, i.e. does she need anything other than a typing machine, a copy machine, and a stamp? I know there's a state exam she would need to pass.

 

Thanks.

[RecordProducer]

Anyone...???

[Art_Critic]

http://www.nationalnotary.org/become_a_notary/index.html

 

Many of the notary's I've used in the past have worked at banks or our own front office..

We used to require that our payroll admin was a notary...

 

I would seriously doubt that one could support themselves on being a notary only but it is a nice add on to many jobs..

[CarrieT]

I am a notary public and it is barely a supplementary income; at best $50 a month but I have gone months without anyone using the service.

 

Now, notaries can be found and used at UPS stores and banks so people don't seek out individual notaries. I got one because I worked the wine industry and the notary service is required for Federal applications for wineries.

 

Not something -- I believe -- someone could make a viable income doing as their sole career.

[carhill]

My dad was one adjunct to his functions as a CPA and tax preparer, mainly as a convenience for his clients.

 

My best friend's wife did contract work for the courts and the school district for many years adjunct to her job working at the court and for the school district as a registrar.

 

The paralegal who handled a lot of my recent legal documents at my local law firm did the notary work on documents which required it.

 

Based on my experiences over the years, I would opine it's a good license to have if one is discharging duties which require regular or occasional notarization of signatures. In another arena, not adjunct to a job, she could use her language skills and flexibility and cost effectiveness to perhaps build up clientele through contacts, like if you were working at a law firm. First pick up emergency work, then build rapport with people who are using notaries every day. That's the only way I could see it becoming a living wage. Even then, it would likely end up adjunct to some other income method, likely related to the clientele being served.

[RecordProducer]

I am a notary public and it is barely a supplementary income; at best $50 a month but I have gone months without anyone using the service.

That sounds promising! She can eat a bagel with coffee every morning with that money!

 

I was hoping for something like $1,000-1,500.

My dad was one adjunct to his functions as a CPA and tax preparer, mainly as a convenience for his clients.

 

My best friend's wife did contract work for the courts and the school district for many years adjunct to her job working at the court and for the school district as a registrar.

 

The paralegal who handled a lot of my recent legal documents at my local law firm did the notary work on documents which required it.

 

Based on my experiences over the years, I would opine it's a good license to have if one is discharging duties which require regular or occasional notarization of signatures. In another arena, not adjunct to a job, she could use her language skills and flexibility and cost effectiveness to perhaps build up clientele through contacts, like if you were working at a law firm. First pick up emergency work, then build rapport with people who are using notaries every day. That's the only way I could see it becoming a living wage. Even then, it would likely end up adjunct to some other income method, likely related to the clientele being served.

Hey stranger! How have you been?

 

Great post and great ideas! I will look into it for her. She needs to get connected with the community.

[Star Gazer]

I am a notary public and it is barely a supplementary income; at best $50 a month but I have gone months without anyone using the service.

 

Now, notaries can be found and used at UPS stores and banks so people don't seek out individual notaries. I got one because I worked the wine industry and the notary service is required for Federal applications for wineries.

 

Not something -- I believe -- someone could make a viable income doing as their sole career.

 

Seconded. My mom is also a notary, and earns about $40/month, if that. It's a supplementary thing, not something anyone could ever live on.

[carhill]

Hey stranger! How have you been?

 

Great post and great ideas! I will look into it for her. She needs to get connected with the community.

 

Up to no good as usual. I'll be back in NC next week.

 

A couple other things about notary....here in Cali, the fee per signature is capped at 10.00; however, if the notary travels, like to one's home or business, they can charge reasonable travel expenses. An example of this function blended into another similar job is that of a mobile signing service. I recall, when my exW and I closed on her new home, we met the mobile service (actually an independent contractor) at her salon and we signed and notarized the sale/mortgage documents at a nearby Subway sandwich shop over lunch. I had to sign because I was quit claiming my interest in the new property. Anyway, the lady who processed the documents said she had been up and down the valley already that day doing other signings. People skills and a knowledge of the documents/process were the main factors. She appeared to enjoy her work.

 

I'm sure your mom will find something. It's just a matter of time and trying different things.

[natory]

Came across this press release today from the NNA about their Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals. Seems to be legit and have some good deals for the season

 

http://www.eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20111122006287/en