Recently I became a notary and thought that my reasoning may be helpful to other VAs.

Every state has different laws and eligibility requirements, but where I am (Texas) being a notary ALSO says these three things about me.
1) I am over the age of 18
2) I am a Texas resident
3) I have never been convicted of a felony

It also says that the state of Texas has verified I am who I say I am.

Surprisingly, not all states care if their notaries have criminal backgrounds, but if yours does, wouldn't you like to share this information with your clients? To me being a notary is almost like a stamp of approval by the state. I'm honest, trustworthy, and hey, I have a clean criminal background too!

In addition to the items above, if you participate in local community forums you can watch for threads of people who need notaries. When you go to notarize a document, you have a prime opportunity to talk about your VA business.

There are several ways to become a notary, either by going directly through your state, or by going through an Association that will guide you along the way. I found the National Notary Association process to be decent (although painfully slow), and there is also the American Association of Notaries but I do not have personal experience with them.

Your mileage may vary with becoming a notary, but I thought I would mention it as a possible way to add a very cool and useful feature to your VA business.

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Sharon Rosen
Intelafina

That's a very good suggestion. I never thought about the benefit of letting everyone know you have had your background checked by the state when applying to be a notary. Like you said, it's a good way to not only verify to others you are who you say you are, but a good way to get your business out there. I remember when I worked in a real estate office, there were only a couple agents who were notaries and if they weren't around, we had to hunt for one - what a great way to make yourself available to local businesses and get the word out!

This is a service I've been thinking about offering, so you've given me more to consider.

Thanks!

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Gladys Strickland
GS Business Resources

I hadn't thought about Notary services added to the rest of my services... good idea! And your right, it does say something about you by just having the license.

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www.sageva.com
Shelley Halpain,

Great points made here Sharon. While I have considered getting my notary I am still on the fence since it is a service I am not hip to offering. Only because I live in a rural town and the need is not there and travel time to "larger" cities would be a bear.

However, you do bring up some excellent pluses to maybe get me off the fence.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

These are some great points. This was something that I was thinking of offering as well. I am going to look into this.

Great minds think alike lol

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Sheena M Cooper, VAA
Sheena's Virtual Solutions

I have been a notary for almost 30 years. Unfortunately, Minnesota has raised the renewal costs for notaries so high a person would have to notarize thousands of documents in order to make any money on it. I am debating whether I want to renew my notary next year, but am leaning towards not doing it. In the almost three years I have been in business, I have only been asked to notarize documents a handful of times.

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Kathy Altman
www.offsiteofficesolutions.com

I've been a Notary for years, but a background check is not required in OK. However, I am an ERO which means I've been background checked by the IRS which included fingerprinting. I also have been background checked and received security clearance by the OK Bureau of Narcotics. So far I've produced everything but DNA to the government. LOL

I inform clients of this because I believe it helps put them at ease about sharing their finances with me.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

Good point Rebecka, I also have background clearances since I have done extensive work with a public and private school in PA. They required criminal, child and fingerprinting due to state laws and I never though to inform clients of this.

Learn something new everyday!

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

I was thinking about adding a notary service to my business and have looked into it. Here in Oregon it isn't too bad to become a notary. My aunt suggested it to me since she was a notary in Nevada and now she resides in California. She's thinking of being a notary there. She recently had to get a notary for grandpa and it was about $50 for the notary to travel an hour and service.

Leilani