Advantages of Becoming a Notary in Texas

A Texas notary public, as a public official, witnesses legal signatures on documents, administers oaths and affirmations, takes acknowledgments and depositions, certifies copies of nonrecordable documents, and, when permissible, protests instruments.  If you have ever considered becoming a notary public in Texas, there are several excellent reasons to do so.

Here are the six main advantages of becoming a notary in Texas:

1- You’ll play a vital role in society.

The role of a Texas notary public is a time-honored one, and notaries serve an important function in society. They ensure the integrity of documents by serving as impartial witnesses to signing.  Texas notaries help deter fraud. They can also assure the receiving parties that a document was notarized on the date printed on the notarial certificate and that the signer’s identity was confirmed. The public relies upon notaries to ensure integrity in the execution and signing of business, personal, and legal documents. Properly notarized documents can help bind agreements, prevent disputes, and protect against fraud.

Some notaries even provide free services to those who cannot afford them as a way of giving back to their communities.

2- You can set your own hours. 

If you are working as a self-employed notary, you can travel to clients, or you can have set office hours and a location where clients come to secure your services. Either way, you are in control of your own schedule and can flex your hours to suit your needs. In this way, working as a notary makes a great second job to supplement your income. Additionally, if you only wish to work part-time (for instance, in order to have more time to spend with your family), notarial work allows for part-time hours.

3- Startup costs are low when it comes to the notary business.

In fact, you can become a notary in Texas for less than $100.00. The qualifications are simple and easy to meet. Notary applicants need only be 18 years or older, have no criminal or felony convictions, and be a legal resident of Texas. 

Notaries need to purchase a four-year, $10,000 surety bond, but the cost of such a bond is only about $50. You will also need to purchase a notary stamp and a notary journal, but no other materials are required by law to serve as a notary in Texas.

4- You can make yourself more employable.

Many employers—especially in financial institutions, schools, doctor’s office, and law offices—have frequent need of a notary. If you are licensed as a notary in the state of Texas, you will be more valuable to your employer. You may also have an easier time securing a new job if you can add a notary license to your list of certifications and skills on your resume.    

An employer can restrict your notarial activities during work hours and set fees for services provided on the job. However, an employer cannot dictate your notarial activities outside of work hours, and you can notarize on your free time for extra income.     

5- You can develop a career as a mobile notary, an online notary, or a notary signing agent.

As a mobile notary, you can travel to clients to notarize a wide variety of documents. In addition to charging fees for their notarial services, mobile notaries can also charge a travel fee for the convenience of coming to the client.

You can also become an online notary. Online notaries have the authority to perform remote notarizations using audio-visual technology. Online Texas notaries have the potential for a broad client base, because they can perform notarizations for a signer in any physical location. Only the online notary must be physically located in Texas at the time of the notarial act. Online notaries can also charge more than traditional notaries.

The most lucrative way to make money as a Texas notary public, however, is to become a notary signing agent. A notary signing agent, or NSA, is a trained professional tasked with notarizing loan documents for real estate closings. NSAs are in high demand and frequently employed by both mortgage finance professionals and real estate agents to notarize loan documents.

6- You’ll have job security.

Another advantage of becoming a Texas notary, a Texas online notary, or a Texas notary signing agent is job security. People will always need to have documents notarized, from wills and living trusts to powers of attorney and government forms. The housing market is also in constant flux, with people continuously buying and selling houses. As the population and housing supply continues to expand, notary signing agents will be assured of ongoing work.

Whether you want to attract a new employer, maintain a flexible schedule, pursue a career as an NSA, or serve the public, becoming a notary in Texas might be the right match for you.

The American Association of Notaries has been serving Texas notaries since 1994. We are a one-stop resource for all your notary needs. We can handle your Texas notary application from start to finish, and when you are commissioned as a notary, we will manufacture and ship your notary stamp and notary supplies. Click here to learn how to become a notary in Texas.