Hi Karin, I had thought about adding this service as well, but just hadn't gotten around to getting any opinions about it yet. Thanks for posting that question. Hope it works out for you!

I have added Mobile Notary to my services so this is something that I do think can be valuable. As Lesley mentioned you can not charge above the state maximum for the notary service, but you are legally allowed to charge for travel costs (and this is not capped). Laws vary by state so you would want to check the laws that are specific to your area.

If you do charge for travel costs apart from the notary service, be sure to keep copies of the receipts you provide that separate the costs so it will be clear you are keeping within the legal boundaries.

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Sharon Rosen
Intelafina

You just answered my question. I knew there were specific state rates you could charge for being a notary, but was wondering if you could have the separate service for mobile fees. Don't see where it would hurt to offer it though.

Thanks,
Becky Padgett
www.virtuallyefficient.com

Dana,

I really have to do more research on the issue. I have not been certified for a loan signing agent. I was thinking more for everyday needs...maybe the elderly who can't get out...so much more to think about.

Hello Karin,

I absolutely understand where your coming from. I was wondering the same thing. I posted the statement about the loan signing agent out of curiosity. I'm wondering why anyone would want to do that type of notary service if you can only charge a law mandated amount and it take 1-2 hours.

I was reading the National Notary Website which allows me to search my state information. In my state (Texas) these are the allowable fees according to www.texasnotary.com FAQ's page:

Q How much can I charge?
A Although notary fees are optional, Texas law sets the maximum fees that notaries may charge for their services. Notaries are also required to post their fees for the public, and you should give a written itemized invoice for your notarial services. Here is a list of allowable fees for the most common notarial services.
*Taking acknowledgments or proofs for the first signature $6.00 ; for each additional signature $1.00
*Administering oath or affirmation $6.00
*Swearing a witness for a deposition $6.00
*Taking a deposition of a witness (for each 100 words) $ .50
*Certifying a photocopy $6.00
*Providing an uncertified copy of an entry from a notary’s record book (per page) $ .50
The allowable fees seem quite low to me. Doesn't make sense, but I as you, haven't researched it enough. I'll have to study some more. Maybe I'm missing something.

You have a great idea about the elderly. Yes, there is so much to think about. I'm sure we'll get it worked out.

Good luck to you!
Dana

Originally Posted by sunshine

Hello Karin, I absolutely understand where your coming from. I was wondering the same thing. I posted the statement about the loan signing agent out of curiosity. I'm wondering why anyone would want to do that type of notary service if you can only charge a law mandated amount and it take 1-2 hours. I was reading the National Notary Website which allows me to search my state information. In my state (Texas) these are the allowable fees according to www.texasnotary.com FAQ's page: Q How much can I charge? A Although notary fees are optional, Texas law sets the maximum fees that notaries may charge for their services. Notaries are also required to post their fees for the public, and you should give a written itemized invoice for your notarial services. Here is a list of allowable fees for the most common notarial services. *Taking acknowledgments or proofs for the first signature $6.00 ; for each additional signature $1.00 *Administering oath or affirmation $6.00 *Swearing a witness for a deposition $6.00 *Taking a deposition of a witness (for each 100 words) $ .50 *Certifying a photocopy $6.00 *Providing an uncertified copy of an entry from a notary’s record book (per page) $ .50 The allowable fees seem quite low to me. Doesn't make sense, but I as you, haven't researched it enough. I'll have to study some more. Maybe I'm missing something. You have a great idea about the elderly. Yes, there is so much to think about. I'm sure we'll get it worked out. Good luck to you! Dana

I never thought about being a "mobile notary" but it seems quite "do-able" and the price list was very helpful. Definitely going to research some more and see if it's worth it!

I am a mobile notary and have found the business to be worth while. I signed up with some of the notary sites to perform loan closings and also listed my information in the notary section of the online yellowpages. I get a lot of calls for general notary work and not all the time to I have to travel to them. If you have to travel, you can charge them a fee based on mileage. I also have agreements with local businesses to serve as their notay for permits and other various documents.

In Louisiana we are civil law notaries and have broad powers.

Loan closing services are a little different is you go through a mortgage or title company for you charge one set "loan closing" fee based on number of doc in the package, travel time and your time. Some closers have a set fee and then additional charges for travel. For loan closings you charge for the service as a whole and not the number of docs you notarize.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

I have to do more research on the matter. Each state has its own rules. I have checked some of the sites out, but fees vary. The NNA doesn't really have any information on what you can charge if you travel to a client residence. It does have information on becoming a certified loan signing agent. Again, I really have to look into it further but information on the Internet is scare. I have gone to SCORE, but I didn't get any information on mobile notaries. I thought it might be an extra service to offer for my starting a VA business. I mostly notarize now for co-workers, acknowledments are $2 in NY. I became a notary for the benefit of my employer. I don't have an office front now. I work in NYC and there are many mobile notaries. Some offer fingerprinting services as well, which is quite expensive if they make a house call. I will look into it further and let you know what I find out.

I am in the process of renewing my notary license (been out of the work force to raise the kiddos and it expired). I am going to add this service to my business however I am going to focus on marketing for solo attorneys for will signings, ect. and to the local homeschool groups. My sister is in one and they need to get their end of year affidvits notarized. I was going to set up a day with the home school leader and all of the members of the group can come and get their home school affidavits notarized. This is good for me because it is one appointment with about 20 affidavits and good for them because they can just come on buy and get it notarized... I hope it works out as planned... =-)

I still have to research what other mobile notaries charge locally. It is on my to do list.

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Trish
www.trishh.com