Becoming a remote online notary is an attractive career choice for many. With its flexible hours, the ability to work from home, and the ability to notarize legal documents from anywhere in the world, it’s no wonder why more and more people are choosing this profession. Whether you’re an aspiring notary or just curious about the process, this step-by-step guide will provide you with all of the necessary information to become an online notary.
From researching your state’s laws and regulations to obtaining the proper credentials and completing continuing education courses, this guide will provide you with the tools you need to become a successful remote online notary. So, if you’re ready to take the next step toward a rewarding new career path, let’s get started!
1. Research Your State’s Notary Requirements
The first step in becoming a remote online notary is to research your state’s laws and regulations pertaining to notary services. Every state has its own set of laws and regulations regarding notary procedures, but there are a few commonalities across the board. For instance, every state requires notaries to be bonded and insured, have sworn oaths, and be at least 18 years old.
However, some states require additional qualifications, such as having a clean criminal record and/or a certain educational background. Therefore, it’s important to review your state’s requirements before moving forward with the process. You should also research your state’s online notary service. Some states offer an online notary service, which allows you to notarize documents from anywhere in the world.
If you live in a state that offers this service, it’s a great choice for remote online notaries, as it allows you to notarize from anywhere you have an internet connection. Keep in mind, however, that some states only allow online notary services for specific types of documents. Therefore, it’s important to review your state’s laws and regulations to determine if the online notary service is right for you.
2. Determine Your Notary Fees and Payment System
One of the first things you’ll need to do as a remote notary is determined your notary fees and payment system. If you are not a registered or commissioned notary, you will need to charge a fee for each notarization service. You can determine your notary fees and payment system based on your state’s regulations. For instance, some states allow notaries to charge a set fee for each notarization service, while others allow for a percentage fee based on the value of the document.
If you are a registered or commissioned notary, you may be able to charge a fee that is already determined by your state’s laws. If you’re not registered or commissioned, you will need to charge a fee that is approved by your state. It’s important to determine your notary fees and payment system before you begin accepting clients, as it will help you better manage your business and provide clients with a clear and accurate estimate of your services.
3. Obtain The Necessary Credentials
Once you have researched your state’s notary requirements and determined your notary fees and payment system, the next step in becoming a remote online notary is to obtain the necessary credentials. If you are not a registered or commissioned notary, you will need to become a notary public. Every state has a different application process for becoming a notary public, but most require you to submit an application, provide a valid identification card, and pay a small fee.
If you are a registered or commissioned notary, you will need to renew your credentials every few years. Again, every state has a different application process for renewing your credentials, but most require an application, a valid identification card, and a small fee. Once you have obtained your notary credentials, you are ready to begin accepting clients. However, before you start signing documents, you’ll need to understand what an oath is and how to properly administer an oath. An oath is a verbal or written pledge that notaries must take before they can begin notarizing documents. Most states require notaries to take an oath, but some allow notaries to simply make an affirmation.
4. Learn How To Notarize Documents
Now that you have obtained your notary credentials and understand notary oaths, it’s time to learn how to notarize documents. There are several different types of notarial acts, and each document will require a different notarization process. For instance, real estate documents generally require a notary to acknowledge the signing of the documents. In order to acknowledge the signing of the documents, notaries must read the document, write their name, and sign it.
Warranty deeds require a notary to act as a witness to the signing of the documents. Therefore, notaries act as a witness and do not notarize these documents. Finally, documents requiring jurat acts require a notary to swear to the authenticity of the documents. This means that notaries must take an oath or affirmation before they can sign the documents, sign with their title (i.e. Notary Public), and include the date, time, and their name. It’s important to review each document type in order to understand the proper notarization method for each type of document.
5. Set Up A Home Office
Once you understand how to notarize documents and have obtained the necessary credentials, it’s time to set up a home office. Although you can perform notarial acts from anywhere, it’s important to have a home office where clients can reach you. Notaries should have a dedicated, monitored phone line and a private email address. It’s also a good idea to set up a separate website where potential clients can learn more about your services.
If you have the technical skills, you can create your website yourself; however, if not, there are plenty of website builders out there that can help you create a professional-looking website. It’s also important to set up a filing system to keep track of all documents. You can use a filing cabinet or software program to keep track of all documents. If you’re using a filing cabinet, keep each type of document in a separate file to make it easier to find during the notarization process. You may also want to keep a record of your notarization hours, in case you need to report them for any reason.
6. Learn About Electronic Notarization
Next, it’s important to understand the difference between electronic notarization and paper notarization. Electronic notarizations are done online through an approved online notary service. This type of notarization is legally binding in all 50 states and is equivalent to a paper notarization. Therefore, it’s important to use an approved online notary service when performing electronic notarizations.
Although many states allow paper notarizations, it’s important to use an authorized notary public when performing paper notarizations. Paper notarizations are not legally binding in all 50 states, and some states require that documents be notarized both electronically and on paper. Therefore, it’s important to check your state’s laws and regulations before performing a paper notarization.
7. Prepare For Continuing Education Requirements
Now that you have learned how to become a notary public and perform notarial acts, it’s important to understand the continuing education requirements in your state. In most states, notaries are required to complete a certain number of continuing education credits every year. These courses may include information on changes in laws and regulations, new notarial procedures, and best practices in the notary profession. Some states even offer free continuing education courses through their official websites.
Therefore, it’s important to keep track of the requirements in your state and make sure you’re meeting the necessary requirements each year. It’s also a good idea to join an online community for notaries. This way, you can network with other notaries, learn from their experiences, and keep up-to-date on current industry practices and best practices. You may even find that some notary communities offer certification programs. If you are serious about becoming a remote online notary, it’s important to stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices through online communities and continuing education courses.
8. Market Yourself As An Online Notary
One of the most important steps to becoming a remote online notary is marketing yourself. You’ll want to make sure you’re building an online presence and marketing yourself to potential clients. And, while you can do this in person at networking events and meetups, you can also do this online. Online, you’ll want to make sure that you have a robust online presence.
This includes having a website, a strong social media presence (and engaging in conversations on those platforms), and potentially joining notary forums or groups. Joining these groups and forums can be a great way to network with other notaries and find potential clients. You can also use these platforms to showcase your knowledge and experience as a notary.
Conclusion
Now that you know what it takes to become a remote online notary, make sure to follow these steps. It’s important to understand the technology behind becoming an online notary, as well as meeting the state’s legal requirements. Becoming a remote online notary can be a great way to earn money and work from anywhere in the world. With so many people conducting business online and needing documents notarized, this profession can be very rewarding.
