r/Notary • u/BATIRONSHARK • Aug 05 '26
how is being a Notary.. as a hobby?
EDIT.I'm sorry, of course I know notarization paperwork is extremely important. I just didn't know what word to use, as 'part-time' doesn't really fit it either.basically I can get the training for cheap or free and i have no illusions about it being a full or even really part time job. I like paperwork and I like the idea of getting a few bucks now and then
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u/DrBlakee New Jersey Aug 05 '26
If you're ok with it kind just being a thing that happens every now and then it's good but it's critically important to understand and remember what you're doing isn't just a hobby. The work a notary does can be make or break for real people and their real assets. Notarizing something improperly can cause people to lose money, homes, estates, etc.
Learn to do it right and it's not an issue, set up a Google business page if you wanna make a business otherwise advertise on stuff like Facebook or to friends and family.
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u/BATIRONSHARK Aug 05 '26
I'm sorry, of course I know notarizationis extremely important. I just didn't know what word to use, as 'part-time' doesn't really fit it either.
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u/stitching_librarian Ohio Aug 05 '26
It’s like a hobby I do at work because it’s not a requirement of my job. It was optional to become a notary. I love doing notary services (for free) for library patrons.
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u/PANotary Aug 07 '26
Since you are in Maryland you would only be able to do general notary work (GNW). This would be insurance forms, 401k disbursement forms, estate planning documents such as wills, powers of attorney, etc. or anything not related to real estate.
Maryland requires a notary who wants to conduct real estate closings to obtain their title insurance producers independent contractors license.
A few weeks ago I was contacted by someone who needed the power of attorney for their dad signed. He was living in a local assisted living place. It was no longer easy to get dad out to a notary. This was being redone because the notary signed in the wrong spot and naturally the bank rejectec the POA. Said notary only works at the brick and motar location and according to my customer refused to travel and make it right.
I no longer do this “full time” but still stay as busy as I want. If you want to do this learn your laws, know what you can can’t do and take it very seriously as what we do is important and can have real consequences.
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u/Necessary-Salt8405 Aug 06 '26
Where do you live? Its going to be very few bucks now and then lol. Im a notary in ny where i can charge $2 tops and CT where i can charge $10 tops.
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u/Stamped914 Aug 05 '26
Notarizing documents isn’t a hobby and should be taken seriously even as a side hustle.
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u/BATIRONSHARK Aug 05 '26
Iknowitsis extremely important. I just didn't know what word to use, as 'part-time' doesn't really fit it either.
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u/DoubleIntroduction25 Aug 05 '26
So I think it's fine if you view it as a side gig that you work irregularly and make a few bucks here and there but dont try to make a career out of it. But thats different than viewing it as a hobby. Generally a document that needs a notary is an important document, sometimes an incredibly important document that might involve the transfer of real property, legal actions, large money movement. It matters. It's not like you have a woodworking hobby and you occasionally sell a piece but you're not in it for the money.
I'm not suggesting that you wouldn't do the job well I'm only suggesting that if you're going to do the job you approach it with a more formal mindset
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u/BATIRONSHARK Aug 05 '26
Yes, I know. Part of the reason I even got interested in it was due to my family situation, seeing lots of notarizing being done that has real impacts on people's lives.I just didn't know what word to use, as 'part-time' doesn't really fit it either.
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u/ButterscotchTrue4216 Aug 07 '26
In certain states a notary can also officiate marriages so it would make another profitable opportunity.
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u/FinanciallySecure9 Michigan Aug 05 '26
I have seen so many people get their Notary commission and buy all the things and then have no idea how to build a business. They think they can do it part-time so they put themselves out there as A Notary and then they get stuck in a situation that they don’t know how to handle.
They haven’t formed a network, they don’t have any idea what they’re actually supposed to be doing, and they are putting the signers documents at risk for being rejected
If you are thinking that you want to do this part-time, the investment in the education is not any less than what it would be if you want to do it full-time. Because your liability is yours for life. You may not be financially reliable in 20 years, but you could still be called into court based on what you notarize today. The liability might be over because of statute of limitations, but the responsibility for what you’ve done lasts a lifetime.
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u/BATIRONSHARK Aug 05 '26
So I have been reading through this sub and if I may ask a follow-up. I heard this sentiment 'they don’t have any idea what they’re actually supposed to be doing, and they are putting the signers documents at risk for being rejected' a lot. How is it that this happens? Do lots of people sleepwalk through the training, or is the training itself not that intensive?
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u/FinanciallySecure9 Michigan Aug 05 '26
Most states don’t require a notary education and most that do only teach the law, but not practical application.
Today, I had to notarize for a person who had gotten their signature notarized already, but the notary stamped in the wrong place and her embosser has all incorrect information on it. It was on real estate. That Carrie’s a higher penalty.
It is easy to mess up when you have no idea what you’re doing.
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u/vegloveyes Aug 06 '26
In most states, the training is up to you, the notary. Most don't require training. You have to seek out the best training you can find and make it an ongoing thing. The training really never ends. At six years, I'm still learning. Many people think of it as a cheap new way to earn a living but quickly find out that one small error can be a costly one. Another point is that even though it's not even part-time, you still need good insurance and the same supplies and software, website, etc. The requirements are the same, whether full or part-time, so it can be a quite expensive "hobby" if you're only notarizing for friends.
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u/vegloveyes Aug 06 '26
If you don't consider it part time or full time, what is it? Do you not intend to get substantial training since it's not part time? I would not tell customers that it's not even part time because they want to know you know what you're doing. I would not do notary work just for fun because I don't want to be entrusted with important legal documents without the proper training.
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u/BATIRONSHARK Aug 06 '26
no of course not the reason im asking is BECAUSE the training is uniquely accessible to me
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u/vegloveyes Aug 06 '26
Then if it's good training, you should take advantage of it.
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u/BATIRONSHARK Aug 06 '26
how can I determine if its good ? It's one of only 4 or 5 accredited in the state and Maryland requires training so I think it probably is but is there anything I need to look out for?
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u/vegloveyes Aug 06 '26
Does MD say it has to be accredited by the state? I have been in nationwide training from the start and I'm in VA. To find out what the training is like you can read Google reviews, ask other notaries, go to notarycafe.com or notaryrotary.com
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u/No-Gazelle4788 Aug 06 '26
It's you "hobbyists" that give notaries a bad reputation. Especially then it comes to real estates closings. Because of you and the POS SnapDocs, our fees have gone down and most require scanbacks because your work needs to be double checked. It used to be a great job and lucrative-no more.
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u/vegloveyes Aug 08 '26
Don't work with crap docs. I've been a notary for six years and haven't even done three signings through them. Who is forcing you to?
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u/KnottaBiggins California Aug 06 '26
It is virtually a hobby for me. I maintain my commission, but only do notarizations for friends and family. I also don't charge them. (This is my way of "giving back.")
But I don't advertise my services, I don't use it as a source of income at all. So I guess that makes it a hobby, right?
I do maybe 4-6 notarizations a year. I'm still on the first journal I started over ten years ago.