Career Paths for Notaries Public: How to Turn Your Commission into Opportunity

If you're a notary public or considering becoming one, you may be wondering: What can I actually do with this commission? While notarizing documents might seem like a narrow service, the reality is that there are multiple career paths for notaries public that offer flexibility, income potential, and professional growth.

In this blog post, we'll explore the top career opportunities for notaries in 2025—from traditional roles to innovative side hustles and entrepreneurial ventures.

1. Mobile Notary

One of the most popular and flexible paths for notaries is becoming a mobile notary. These professionals travel to clients’ homes, offices, or agreed-upon locations to perform notarial acts.

Why it's popular:

• Low startup costs

• Flexible hours

• High demand in real estate and legal industries

Clients include:

• Title companies

• Law firms

• Senior citizens

• Busy professionals

Pro Tip: Invest in mileage tracking apps and digital scheduling tools to streamline your mobile business.

2. Notary Signing Agent (NSA)

A Notary Signing Agent is a notary who specializes in handling and notarizing loan documents, especially in real estate transactions. This is one of the highest-paying niches for notaries.

Requirements:

• Must be certified (often through the National Notary Association or similar)

• Must pass a background check

Average earnings: $75–$200 per signing

Great for: Detail-oriented notaries comfortable with real estate paperwork and tight deadlines.

3. Remote Online Notary (RON)

With the rise of digital tools, many states now allow Remote Online Notarization, enabling notaries to notarize documents via secure video platforms.

Benefits:

• Work from home

• Serve clients across your state (or even multiple states, if applicable)

• Reduced travel costs

What you need:

• State authorization for RON

• Secure, approved RON platform (e.g., Notarize, DocVerify)

• Digital certificate and electronic seal

This is an especially attractive option for tech-savvy notaries looking for a location-independent career path.

4. Legal or Administrative Support Roles

Many law firms, corporate offices, and government agencies value employees who are commissioned notaries. Notary skills complement roles such as:

• Legal assistant

• Paralegal

• Administrative assistant

• HR specialist

Why it helps:

• Adds value to your resume

• Reduces the need for employers to outsource notary services

• Positions you for internal promotions

5. Field Inspector or Document Courier

Some notaries expand into property inspections or document courier services, especially in real estate and insurance.

Tasks might include:

• Verifying occupancy of properties

• Photographing homes for loan or insurance documentation

• Delivering sensitive paperwork that requires a notarized signature

Great add-on service for mobile notaries looking to diversify their offerings.

6. Entrepreneur or Notary Business Owner

Once you’re established, you can start a full-service notary agency offering:

• Mobile notary teams

• Signing services for large firms

• B2B document handling

• Apostille and authentication services

Business options:

• Register an LLC or sole proprietorship

• Build a website with scheduling and contact forms

• Market to real estate offices, law firms, and local businesses

You can also create online courses, write ebooks, or offer consulting to new notaries.

7. Specialized Services: Apostille Agent or Immigration Forms Specialist

Advanced notaries often branch into niche areas like:

• Apostille agent – helping clients get international documents authenticated

• Immigration form preparation – assisting with non-legal document preparation (Note: requires strict compliance with local laws)

These services require additional training and legal understanding but can command higher fees and client loyalty.

Final Thoughts: Turning a Commission into a Career

The role of a notary public is more versatile than many people realize. Whether you're looking for a side hustle, a home-based business, or a professional stepping stone, your notary commission can open doors.

By identifying the career path that matches your goals—whether it's becoming a notary signing agent, launching a mobile notary business, or leveraging your notary skills in an office setting—you can build a rewarding and profitable future.