5 Employers Who Are Likely to Hire Commissioned Notaries

Maybe you’ve thought of becoming a notary, but you aren’t sure if the rise and grind routine of the mobile notary signing agent is right for you. Maybe you are already commissioned as a notary, but you want steady full-time employment because the entrepreneur life just isn’t for you. That’s okay! 

There are many opportunities in different work environments where your notary commission will be put to good use. 

Businesses that Need Notaries

Many companies need documents routinely notarized, so they’ll be seeking out recruits who are commissioned. Being a notary will give your job application a boost at these types of businesses:

1. Bank
2. Title company
3. Law firm 
4. Car dealership
5. Schools
6. Other companies

Bank

Many banks offer free notary services to their customers. Some may provide notarizations for non-customer walk-ins, but that’s becoming less common. The shift to online banking has changed the priorities of some banks, so on-staff notaries are becoming less common in larger financial institutions. Still, a lot of smaller banks and credit unions continue to see value in providing this service. 

Title Company

A title company searches property records to determine if a house has any liens against it and ensures clean title is transferred to a new owner. They are among the many professionals notary signing agents should know since many title companies contract out loan signings to independent notaries. However, other title companies have in-house notaries. 

The title insurance industry is often called a “hidden industry,” and employers in this field struggle to recruit people with the right personality and skills to succeed. Many are willing to train, but having a notary commission will set you apart as a candidate. A background in real estate or a strong understanding of critical closing documents is also attractive.

Learn more about getting started in the title industry! Listen to this podcast! 

Law Firm

Attornies often seek out paralegals who are also commissioned notaries. In addition to conducting legal research, preparing briefs, and filing court documents, paralegals also perform notarizations in-house when needed. 

Legal documents like wills, trusts, affidavits, and more all require notarization. Law firms that work on real estate transactions or estate planning will also need notary services for property documents like deeds. 

Car Dealership

Big purchases like homes and cars come with a lot of paperwork, and vehicles have titles too! Car dealerships of all sizes benefit from having in-house notaries to handle documents requiring notarization. Having more than one notary on staff means Vehicles Titles, Out-of-state Purchase Forms, Correction Letters, and various other agreements needing a notary stamp are promptly completed. So listing your notary commission on your resume when applying for a job with a car dealership will make you stand out. 

Schools

Educational institutions also benefit from having notaries on staff. From elementary schools to universities, students and families need certain documents to be notarized. Foreign exchange students usually need their records certified by the school and then authenticated by the state. An apostille from the Secretary of State must be obtained to complete the authentication process, a non-notary service that many notaries provide. At post-secondary institutions, the Office of the Registrar notarizes documents like Certificates of Completion, Enrollment Verifications, Diplomas, and Official Transcripts for a fee. 

Other companies

Construction, real estate, mortgage lenders, healthcare facilities, and many other types of businesses find added value to hiring a notary on their full-time administrative staff. 

Tips for In-house Notaries

Even if your employer paid for your notary education and supplies, it’s ultimately the state who is your boss when performing notary services. One of the ways notaries can get in trouble includes bending to pressures from their direct supervisor to skirt state laws. As the notary on staff, it’s vital to maintain clear boundaries, so you aren’t held liable for any improper notarizations. 

Here are some tips to help:

1. Notaries are “hired” or commissioned by their state government. It’s up to you to be familiar with your state’s rules and regulations. Speak to your employer to see if they are willing to sponsor your ongoing education. Explain how this is a worthwhile investment since it will prevent financial liabilities for you and them. 
2. Keep your notary stamp and journal safe and under your control at all times. If you keep these items at your office, be sure to put them in a lockbox when they aren’t in use. Another individual should never use your stamp. 
3. Reference state laws when your boss asks you to perform an improper notarization. Sometimes these requests are made out of ignorance, so have your state statutes available to point out why you can’t complete them. Be prepared to say no if an employer doesn’t relent. Losing your job over this is a legitimate concern, but you should be just as concerned about the potential lawsuits you may face. 
4. Don’t notarize your signature on documents naming you a company officer or representative. Notaries can’t notarize their signature or documents where they are an interested party. 
5. Find an outside notary if there is a conflict of interest. 

Remote Online Notarization

Some of these companies may be working with clients who do a lot of traveling, or your boss may need some documents notarized while on a business trip. Remote online notarization (RON) is becoming more popular to help solve this problem. 

For instance, title companies offer remote online notarization to serve busy real estate investors better, cut down on mail-aways, and close faster. A notary must go through additional training and receive a second certification from their commissioning authority to offer RON. A digital certificate and electronic seal are also needed. 

Depending on your state and the type of business you want to work for, becoming RON certified could be another great addition to your resume. There are also growing opportunities to do side-work as an online notary to supplement your income. 

Learn more about what you need to do to get certified in this on-demand webinar! 

This content is provided for informational purposes only. PropLogix, LLC (PLX) is not a law firm; this content is not intended as legal advice and may not be relied upon as such. PLX makes no representations as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of this content. PLX may reference or incorporate information from third-party sources, upon which a citation or a website URL shall be provided for such source. PLX does not endorse any third party or its products or services. Any comments referencing or responding to this content may be removed in the sole discretion of PLX.