Two Weeks, One Budget Computer: Can You Really Work as a Remote Online Notary?

Beginner's Questions
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Someone recently asked me if I could simulate my Remote Online Notary experience using only a basic computer setup instead of my normal workstation. I thought it was a great question, so I decided to put it to the test.

For two weeks, I intentionally worked using a simple, budget-friendly setup:

  • Mini PC: $235

  • Monitor: $85

  • Keyboard and mouse: $35

  • Internet: Prepaid modem configured to simulate a 200 Mbps connection

I worked my regular schedule—Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Results

Using this basic setup, my daily earnings ranged from $100 to $180 per day.

For comparison, my primary workstation typically generates $270 to $400 per day.

The purpose of this experiment wasn’t to prove that an inexpensive setup performs the same as a higher-end system. It was to determine whether someone can realistically get started as a Remote Online Notary without spending a lot of money on equipment.

My conclusion is yes—you can. A basic, reliable computer setup is enough to begin performing RON work. As your business grows, upgrading your equipment can improve efficiency, comfort, and productivity, but it isn’t a requirement to start.

It’s also important to point out that the difference in income wasn’t caused by the computer itself. It was primarily the result of workflow efficiency, multitasking, and the ability to handle back-to-back appointments more quickly. A more powerful workstation helps me move faster between sessions and manage multiple tasks more efficiently, but it doesn’t determine whether someone can successfully perform Remote Online Notary work.

I know some people have criticized my current setup, and that’s okay. Everyone has their own preferences. I prefer relying on real-world testing and measurable results rather than assumptions.

Hopefully, this experiment helps anyone who has been wondering whether they need to invest thousands of dollars before becoming a successful Remote Online Notary. Based on my experience, the answer is no. Start with reliable equipment, learn the process, build your business, and upgrade as your workload and income increase.

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@antonio :white_check_mark:

It’s also important to simultaneously include the importance of purchasing state-of-the-art protection software for the computer, PDF files, network, etc.

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Purchase of these items does add to the total estimated overhead, but is well worth the protection & peace of mind for the business owner & clients.

:swan:

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That’s a great point. My experiment was focused only on using a basic hardware setup to see if someone could successfully perform Remote Online Notary work without investing in expensive equipment.

As for security, I agree that it’s essential. I always keep my VPN active, and while I don’t remember exactly what I paid for it since it’s an annual subscription, it’s something I consider a standard part of my setup.

Beyond that, many of the security features—such as identity verification, encrypted sessions, secure document handling, and recording storage—are provided by the RON platform itself. So although my computer hardware was basic, I didn’t compromise on security. That was never part of the experiment.

One other point worth mentioning is that there are no upfront payments or monthly subscriptions required to join the platform I use. That makes it possible for someone to get started without a large initial investment while still benefiting from the platform’s built-in security features.

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What RON platform do you use?

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Notarized.com aka Proof.com for the experiment.

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@antonio Yes, I presumed that you did, as that appeared to be an implied element of the experiment & is why I added an overt notation of it . . . :relieved_face:

:swan:

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Thanks for the information.

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Why did your set up impact your earnings?

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@tlbennett0 The source of earnings impact was identified within the Original Post [OP] on this thread. Reference above excerpt.

:swan:

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For comparison, I currently use a custom-built, high-end computer system valued at over $5,000 with three monitors. The system is designed to handle multiple browser tabs, applications, and RON platforms simultaneously without any noticeable lag. Even under a heavy workload, CPU utilization typically remains below 20%. It is equipped with 32 GB of RAM and an Intel processor, providing more than enough performance for remote online notarization.

The experiment, however, was intentionally conducted using a basic, entry-level computer with no performance upgrades or additional hardware. The goal was to determine whether a remote online notarization can be successfully completed using a basic computer system and to evaluate whether high-end equipment is truly necessary for conducting RON sessions.

My primary workstation is connected to an internet service that consistently delivers download speeds exceeding 900 Mbps, depending on the time of day, with latency (ping) typically below 6 ms. In contrast, the basic computer used for the experiment was connected to an internet service limited to approximately 200 Mbps, with latency fluctuating between 15 and 20 ms. While those speeds are sufficient for general internet use, higher latency can become a disadvantage when competing with other remote online notaries, where every second counts in accepting and launching into available sessions.

Based on the results, a basic computer is capable of completing remote online notarizations successfully. However, higher-end hardware and faster internet service provide a noticeable advantage in overall efficiency, multitasking, and responding more quickly to incoming RON sessions. While a premium setup is not a requirement to perform remote online notarizations, it can improve workflow and competitiveness in a fast-paced environment.

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@antonio Greatly appreciate your insights & detailed description of your Remote Online Notarization [RON] experiment.

It’s very thoughtful & generous of you to present all of this information in detail.

Your thread will benefit Notary Cafe members today and into the future! :tada: Thank You! :tada:

:swan:

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Thank you for taking the time to test this out. I am very interested in becoming a RON. I am commissioned to do so, however I am not sure the best way to get clients for online. Do you have certain platforms you get work from, and if so which ones do you suggest? It seems like all of them want fees, and I hate to pay for something if it doesn’t work.

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You’re very welcome! I’m happy to share what I’ve learned.

If you’re just getting started, I would recommend Notarized as your first platform (If your state has approved them). There are no fees to join, and they allow you to participate in their On-Demand marketplace at no cost. It’s a great way to get started without making a financial investment.

One piece of advice: be patient. When you first join, you’ll typically come in as a Partner, so opportunities may be limited at first. As you gain experience and meet their requirements, you’ll usually be upgraded to the next level, which gives you access to more notarization opportunities.

Every platform has its own business model, so I suggest starting with a free option, learning the workflow, and building your confidence before paying for subscriptions or premium plans. Once you have some experience, you’ll have a much better idea of which platform best fits your goals.

I hope that helps, and best of luck on your RON journey!

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I am in California and we have not yet gone remote, but I am highly going to include online notary, however I have a brand new lap top. Do I need to have a PC?

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Yes, a laptop will work just fine. You don’t need a desktop PC as long as your laptop meets the platform’s technical requirements and has a reliable internet connection, webcam, and microphone.

My biggest piece of advice is to spend time learning the trade before jumping in. Understanding your state’s laws, the technology, and the notarization process will make a huge difference in your success.

A great free resource is BlueNotary. They offer a lot of free educational materials that can help anyone get started with Remote Online Notarization, even if you’re still in the learning phase.

Eventually, when you’re ready to grow your business, you’ll need to invest in it. Whether that’s upgrading your equipment, subscribing to a platform, purchasing marketing tools, or taking additional training, those investments can help your business expand and become more successful.

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@vroomnotary In support of your Research, I’ve assimilated several posts from a well-respected & trusted Notary Cafe member who has been very helpful on the Remote Online Notarization [RON] topic (see Notary Cafe direct url links below).

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Here are the Search results for Notary Cafe threads on RON providers.

Plus, one additional helpful Notary Cafe thread on the RON topic:

https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/i-found-a-list-of-mismo-approved-ron-rin-and-ipen-providers-for-emortgage-closing/31340

:swan:

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Opps, didn’t read the RON, just regular Signing Agent with printing and travel…

Absolutley! AND just starting out I don’t recommend a huge bill getting “top of the line” anything, you won’t be busy enough, only later upgrade when you think it’s worth it, when the fee’s you are collecting are really worth the investment. I started out before smart phones and couldn’t afford a $500.00 Garmin GPS (back then) and had to MapQuest and print my directions!

When you do upgrade, the 2nd tray for legal is nice, so then you don’t have to go through the PDF and mark the pages to print on which paper…yes, I did that too. Luckily back then, legal paper was 19.99 a case and most wanted legal anyway if you didn’t have the capability to sort.

A great budget printer is any Brother All-in-one refurbished. Toner is affordable for the generic and prints about 8,000 pages.

Just do what you can do, the finished product is all the same. (Not RON)

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I would like to share my experience with using generic toner in Brother laser printers and allow others to draw their own conclusions.

I operate a mobile notary and loan signing business and currently have two dual-tray Brother laser printers in my home office. One is a Brother HL-L6210DW dual-tray printer that I purchased approximately two years ago. The other is a Brother MFC-L5850DW all-in-one dual-tray printer that I purchased when I began my signing agent journey in 2022.

Like many people, I was attracted to the cost savings of generic toner cartridges and decided to give them a try. Unfortunately, what followed became one of the most stressful experiences I have had as a signing agent.

As notaries and loan signing agents, our printers are mission-critical equipment. When a set of loan documents arrives, there is no room for uncertainty. Borrowers are expecting us, deadlines must be met, and in many cases there is very little time to recover from an equipment failure.

On the day this occurred, I had two scheduled closings. What should have been a routine day quickly turned into hours of troubleshooting printer issues. Instead of focusing on preparing documents, quality-checking my packages, and getting out the door to meet my clients, I found myself trying to determine why my printers were not performing as expected.

The time I lost troubleshooting was far more costly than any money I may have saved by purchasing generic toner. More importantly, the situation created unnecessary stress and introduced the risk of being late to appointments or being unable to complete my assignments as scheduled.

What made the situation even more concerning was that I experienced problems with more than one printer. At that point, I realized that saving money on toner was insignificant compared to the potential consequences of a printer failure in the middle of a workday.

Fortunately, I was able to work through the issues and complete my assignments, but the experience taught me an important lesson. In our profession, reliability is often more valuable than saving a few dollars on supplies.

I understand that many people use generic toner successfully and may never experience a problem. I respect that everyone’s experience can be different. I can only speak from my own experience and the conclusion I reached after that day.

Since returning to genuine Brother toner cartridges, I have had significantly greater confidence in my equipment. For me, the additional cost is worth the peace of mind. When my reputation, client relationships, and income depend on my printers functioning properly, reliability is not an area where I am willing to take chances.

My purpose in sharing this experience is not to tell anyone what they should do. Rather, I hope it helps others evaluate the true cost of printer supplies, including the potential cost of downtime, missed appointments, and the stress that can result when equipment fails at the worst possible moment.

Sometimes the least expensive option can end up being the most expensive lesson.

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Well, since 2005 I have never purchased a genuine Brother toner or drum. I had a few with slight issues, from some, but nothing to throw my hands up and say never again. I narrowed my purchases to the tried and true sellers with excellent reviews and sell an excellent product. If I can save over 80% + on a toner or more on a drum, that’s what works for me. We all follow what works. I run 2 MFC L5800DW and HL620DW, both use TN 850s and same drum. Having both use the same saves space and money and can swap out back and forth. Sorry you had a bad experience, but from my view hasn’t happened.