If you want to work from home or any office that may need a notary on call during the hours you want to work, you may enjoy becoming a notary public. Consider the situation where a normal employee of an institution such as a bank receives a notary public license. This new designation enhances your value to the organization and provides good service attached to your employer. Banking transactions often involve the need for notarized documents, such as a notarized signature for a loan.
A notary public is an executive authorized by the state to act as an impartial witness in the signing of documents, such as affidavits, real estate deeds, and powers of attorney.
The signature and seal of the notaries acknowledge that the signatories have entered into an agreement knowingly and willingly. Notaries are not responsible for the legality or accuracy of the content of the documents they notarize. The signatories are responsible for the correctness of the documents.
Notaries usually spend some time verifying the identity of the signers, which is usually done with a driver’s license. After verification, they press the notary seal on the document and sign it. A notary cannot offer any type of legal advice and service, unless he is a lawyer. Institutions that typically require notary jobs include real estate firms, law offices, financial organizations, and credit unions.
Notary public jobs include mobile notaries and notary signing agents. The first types are the notaries who travel to the homes and offices of those who request the legalization of a document. Notary signing agents are notaries with good experience in notarizing loan document signatures. To become a notary public, a person meets several state certification requirements, including passing a background check, providing the bond, paying required filing fees, and passing a multiple-choice test.
Notary public fees differ from state to state. In California, the signature fee ranges from $5 to $20, depending on the nature of the notarized document. For example, the notary charges $10 per signature to certify a deed or power of attorney and $20 for services available in connection with deposition testimony. In many states, a notary has statewide authority and can perform notarial deeds in any county in these states.
Public notaries are renewed every four years. To renew the commission, they must submit a new bond and pay the required fees no earlier than 90 days prior to the end date of the notary’s term. Forms are available from the Secretary of State’s office, the county clerk, or an insurance agency.