States commission thousands of notaries every year, but not all choose to advance their careers by becoming notary signing agents. To help you decide whether being a notary loan signing agent is a good career choice, this article presents our top four reasons to go for it. But first, here's a simple definition to alleviate any confusion between a notary signing agent and a notary public.

Signing Agent Definition

Signing agents are commissioned notaries who work with loan documents like mortgages. Lenders hire them as employees or independent contractors. They help borrowers complete the closing process by guiding them through the loan documents, witnessing and notarizing signatures and returning the notarized loan documents for processing.

While all signing agents are notaries, there are many differences between the two roles, including responsibilities, education expectations and requirements. For example, most signing agents must complete yearly background checks to comply with state and federal mortgage laws.

Top 4 Reasons to Become a Notary Signing Agent

1. Your Services Are Always Needed

Demand for signing agent services always exists. Even during soft market periods, people in your community are still buying homes, refinancing or completing other loan-related transactions.

Once certified, you can start taking advantage of these loan signing agent job opportunities. If you want a more stable work schedule, you can apply for jobs at traditional lending providers like banks, credit unions or title and escrow agencies.

You can also choose to work independently and offer your expertise to a variety of customers. Building a network of clients and a strong reputation will take time, but those investments can significantly boost your signing opportunities. This brings us to our next reason.

2. You Can Create Your Own Schedule

As a signing agent, you can act as your own boss and set your own work hours. Doing this is a great choice if you already used your notary commission to act as an independent mobile notary.

When you create your own signing agent business, you are free to pick up as much work as you can handle, and you get to decide which clients to accept. Some people also get certified and work part-time as a source of side revenue. But if you market yourself well and network often, you can easily work as a full-time signing agent.

3. You Can Increase Your Income Potential

For many, the potential benefits and income of becoming a loan signing agent are reasons enough to become certified. Unlike a notary public, whose fees are often capped by the state, independent signing agents can earn between $75 and $200 per signing appointment. They can also charge additional fees for services like mailing the loan package, printing loan documents and transportation expenses (if applicable).

Becoming a signing agent provides an excellent opportunity for you to achieve your income goals. By working your chosen hours, your loan signing agent salary can be just as much as people who work at an office more than 40 hours per week. But it takes drive and resilience to succeed. Your money-making potential will depend on the effort you put in.

Expect to travel frequently as you advertise your services, complete transactions and grow your network of clients.

4. You Will Achieve Personal and Professional Growth

Loan signing agent training is not required, but the complex nature of loans makes most employers and clients look for someone who is certified and confidently understands what they're doing. Loan contracts typically consist of over one hundred pages of information that require signatures and notarization.

Although being a notary public is a prerequisite to becoming a loan signing agent, there may still be a steep learning curve. An online course is a convenient and easy way to improve your odds of finding loan-signing gigs while working around your schedule.

Once you start performing loan signings, you'll find that you continue to learn with each transaction. While your initial training provides the basic knowledge and tools you need to do the job, you'll also develop vital professional skills through experience.

You will learn how to market yourself or your business successfully and build strong relationships with clients. You'll find out how to manage your time and adapt to the demands of the job. As you gain experience with a variety of documents, you'll likely discover a niche that you enjoy and excel in.

Additionally, you might have to retake an exam every year to maintain certification. Depending on your state or employer, you may also need complementary licenses, such as a Title Insurance License. These are opportunities to keep learning and developing your skills!

Get Started as a Signing Agent

Ready to boost your income and build your business? Get certified as a signing agent and maximize your notary commission. With our online course, you'll learn how to market your services, grow your client base, handle signings, maintain your journal and more. Get started now!