Next time you get a signing review the notary or settlement fee listed on the closing disclosure. In many cases, you may see a fee of $300–$400 allocated for the notary service, while being offered only $40. That difference doesn’t disappear—it is being retained by the hiring company.
It’s also important to understand that some of the advice given to new notaries—such as accepting lower fees “to gain experience”—can end up benefiting others more than it benefits you. The more assignments completed at low rates, the more profit is generated for those assigning the work, often at the expense of the notary actually performing the service.
Anyone entering this field should recognize that it is, first and foremost, a business. Notaries are independent contractors, not hourly employees, and there are substantial operating costs to consider—vehicle expenses, fuel, toner, paper, printers, scanners, equipment maintenance, insurance, professional attire, phone service, marketing, and more. These expenses add up quickly and must be factored into your pricing.
For this reason, when you see experienced notaries setting minimum fees (such as $100 or more), it is not arbitrary—it reflects the true cost of operating sustainably. As a notary signing agent, it’s essential to approach this work with a business mindset, understand where the money is going, and make informed decisions about which assignments to accept. Otherwise, you may find yourself doing the majority of the work while others retain the majority of the profit.