Alright, I just got my commission letter in the mail. I have to take it to my county clerks office (Missouri) and get sworn in. After that, is it done? Am I ready to start?? Or do they have to mail something in that processes for 4 weeks and then I get my certificate?
I do still need to get my Notary bond and error and omissions insurance. What’s a reputable place to get that through? How about the stamp/seal? Am I able to go ahead and get that ordered before swearing in or do I have to wait until that is complete?
I’m taking a seminar Saturday, which will also give me a list of companies to sign up for. And I’ve got my printer set up and ready to go.
Any other advice for the final steps?
Oh, one other thing, Do any of you have multiple notaries in your house? Like you and your spouse? How’s that working for you? My husband is in school and working part time, and I told him this might be a good thing for him to get into for extra income… since we already have this big printer, the start up cost won’t be as much for him.
Also, background checks. I’ve had one done where I got a badge when I was volunteering once for little league. But can’t for the life of me remember how I signed up for it. But I had to go somewhere local to get my picture taken. Is that what companies look for or just some online background report on myself will due?
This part of your post is best answered by your commissioning department (Secretary of State?) - the process should be outlined on their website or in the material you received. IMO the bond should have been required before the commission was issued - it’s usually part of the application process. Errors & Omissions is optional, although many companies require it - and as to your question about your stamp and seal, again I’d refer you back to your commissioning authority. They normally have a list of approved vendors for those items. If you went through the NNA their package includes everything.
Sadly it appears you didn’t really research this line of work before you jumped in. You say you have your printer ready to go (hopefully it’s a laser printer) - by that I expect you’re expecting to do loan signings. In my truly honest opinion, you should concentrate on marketing yourself locally for general notary work and doing some of that until you know your notary laws and procedures cold. Then seek out a certification program for loan signings (dependant upon your background - for example, if you have experience with loan documents, like a closing paralegal or such) to help you learn what is involved and expected.
My point being that, without prior loan experience of any kind, you cannot just jump from notary commission to loan signings without seriously jeopardizing the people you’re serving, and looking for trouble for yourself. On that note, if it IS loan signings you’re pursuing, I’d recommend Notary2Pro - there are 3 courses offered with mentorship available after you “graduate” - they will prepare you for this line of work.
I can’t comment on multiple notary households but I’ve heard some who have made it work well for them.
IMHO, LindaH nailed it. Although there is no shortage of people who will bad mouth the NNA, many title companies and Notary Signing Companies will insist on certification and/or background checks performed by them, so it just makes sense to use them when you’re just starting out. Later, after building your street creds, you can be more selective about where you choose to renew your E&O and background checks. As Linda mentioned, the NNA sells bundles that include everything. Also, you might want to look at apps like Notary Gadget to track your financials, and Notary Act to automate the logging activity. Neither are requirements, but they do make notary life easier to manage.
My wife is also a notary. In fact, she started last year before me in the state of Texas (I was a notary in CO in 2001). I started doing this on the side while working a full-time job. Did just a few signings a month for gas money and to slowly (re)learn the trade. She was unemployed at the time, but soon found full-time employment that prevents her the time to do notary work. As luck would have it, my entire division was laid off in April, so I decided to build up my Notary business full-time. It will take time, and it barely replaces unemployment right now, but hopefully business will pick up as I continue to canvass the area, visiting title companies, law firms and Assisted Living facilities to build long-term relationships. That said, currently more than half my business is general notary work, which is far more profitable these days than real estate work (for the effort expended), yet it remains totally unpredictable, so that’s the downside. You really need a combination of income sources if you’re going to make it work for you, and you can’t wait around for the phone to ring. You’ve got to get out there and make yourself known to your local community.
If you’re serious about this business, especially the real estate side, you should seriously consider a dual tray laser printer, if you don’t have one already. Also, I have to admit that over 90% of my initial real estate signing calls were from different entities finding me on 123Notary.com. It’s a paid for listing, but paid for itself very quickly. Both my wife and I are listed, so when she gets calls, she just passes them to me. I’ve also gotten referrals from NotaryRotary.com, and general notary leads often find my notary business on Google and Yelp. The only other thing I can add is to continue to learn your trade. Follow these posts and other forums. Most of what you will need to learn will be on-the-job learning, so the more you read, the better you will be. If you make a mistake, and we all do, own it and fix it asap, whatever it takes. Fail to do so quickly and professionally, and you will find your phone getting quieter.
I sincerely wish you the best of luck in this new career path!
~Don
Thanks for the advice. And I appreciate the concern. I do not have a background in this and I am starting fresh. My mom used to do this but got too busy with a regular job that she stopped, but is thinking of getting back to it. I have actually obsessively researched and do have a dual tray laser printer. The seminar taking Saturday unfortunately isn’t one of the nationally known ones, but the instructor assures me she’s never been “certified” and gets plenty of calls. We are supposed to learn the ins and outs of making this a business as well as practice and review loan docs. I’m also supposed to get an extensive list of companies to sign up for. I’m a little nervous and taking a leap of faith in her because I already paid for her workshop before realizing there was such a thing as getting a certificate. I do have a full time job and don’t plan on quitting it for at least another year after my husband gets into his career and it looks like things will pan out with me doing this for “extra” income.
I’m a pretty fast learner and am confident I will pick it up, I’m detail oriented and I like complying and doing things the right way. I have no doubt I can handle it from what I’ve been told by my mom. And well… if not, she’s thinking of starting back up and can buy my printer from me if I just can’t hack it
My main concern right now IS my lack of experience in this field and expecting a rather slow start up until I build up companies trust that are willing to chance a newbe.
I should correct myself. I received a letter stating that my commission has been prepared and sent to my county admin. office. Sorry for the confusion earlier.
