Notary Basics

Considering becoming a notary? You've come to the right place! This page gives anyone interested in becoming a notary a comprehensive overview of different notary types, the notary application process, and early-career tips.

Foundational Topics

Defining a Notary Public

What is a notary? Here's a basic definition

A notary public is a person of integrity who acts as an impartial witness to the signing of important transactions and performs notarial acts which validate the transaction.

A notary's primary purpose is to prevent fraud and forgery by verifying the identity of the signer.

How Much Money Can You Make?

A straightforward answer rarely follows the question “how much does a notary make?” There are many factors to consider such as location, experience and services offered.

What Prices Can Notaries Charge?

Notaries make money by charging fees for each notarial act. Notary public costs usually have legal limits that are outlined in your state's notary statutes. Common fees allowable range anywhere from $1 to $20 per signature.

Understanding Your Bond

Most states require notaries to purchase a surety bond, with amounts ranging from $1,000 to $25,000, to protect clients from possible financial damage caused by improper notarization. But what is a notary bond? They are usually inexpensive and included in our online notary packages.

Becoming a Notary Public

Generally, becoming a notary is relatively simple. The two basic steps to becoming a notary in most states are:

  1. Meet state qualifications for notaries
  2. Complete the notary application process

Learn more about how to become a notary.

Career Resources

There are many ways for new notaries to get the most out of their commission. If you're just starting out, or you're considering becoming a notary, these articles can help.