Posted by Pamela on 6/30/06 12:16pm
Msg #129999

Does anyone do regular notarizations?

Just stated advertising to the "public" several weeks ago!
Before then, I was doing notarizations (here and there) for friends and co-workers.
I'm mobile and do not allow customers to come to my home; however, I didn't realize just how many people needed to have documents notarized!

Does anyone else have a full-time mobile notary business?

If so, have you thought about opening an office?

Thanks,

Pam

Reply by MistarellaFL on 6/30/06 12:22pm
Msg #130001

Pam, I couldn't justify the cost of an office for general notarizations.
In addition to loan work, I have a banner on my home privacy fence,
facing the street (w/ BY APPT ONLY on it). And a car sign...advertising gen. nots.
I have had to put a poster near my front door, to discourage people from
ringing the bell, to call first. (works most of the time)
But it has been profitable, the banner cost me $27 and the car sign about $15.
I'm pulling in $50-200/week in general notarizations, but that's not enough for me to open an office. I would consider a partner, to share the costs, but I haven't found the right person yet.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 6/30/06 12:36pm
Msg #130010

I forgot to include

that the $50-$200/week does include travel fees, and I wouldn't make that much if I were doing them in-house.

Reply by Maggiemae_CA on 6/30/06 12:26pm
Msg #130003

In addition to loan signings, I do general notarizations. I advertise in various venues. The thing with general notarizations that I have found is that I do not do enough to warrant leasing office space (5 to 10 per week). Also, people in general whine about the mobile fee and just want to pay for the notarization. Even then, some try to "negotiate" the state approved fee to a lower rate. I find myself telling people to visit their local UPS or Postal Annex storefronts.

I prefer doing the loan signings and occasional general notarizations when they come up. I really don't think it would be to my advantage to open an office someplace for notary work.

I am very interested in seeing what others have to say on the subject.

Reply by AngelinaAZ on 6/30/06 12:28pm
Msg #130006

Like you, I do it for friends and co-workers. In AZ the maximum amount allowed per notarization is a whoppin' $2 and most regular people out here don't want to fork it out for travel. I know a guy who spends one day/week at the local Postal Annex and just notarizes all day. I think it supports his minimal bling habit and that's about it. I think it just depends on your area and how much you can get per seal. In CA - it's $10 isn't it?

Reply by cyndi_ca on 6/30/06 12:29pm
Msg #130007

Yes, Angelina it is $10.00

I will do some work at my home if they request. rather do the travel for the extra fee. Most take it without complaint.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/30/06 12:40pm
Msg #130012

The local Pak N Ship place doesn't have a notary, and they get customers all the time that need a notary, so they send them to me.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 6/30/06 12:41pm
Msg #130014

Yummy, nice tip, Sylvia

I have one of those here in town, I ASSumed they had one, silly me, I'll check it out.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/30/06 12:44pm
Msg #130015

Re: Yummy, nice tip, Sylvia

Most of them do have a notary. This one is owned by a man and his wife, who I did a loan signing for about 5 years ago (remember I posted about the borrowers who had 4 pure bred wolves in their home). The guy used to be a notary, but decided it was too much trouble so didn't renew his commission. When I did their loan signing they asked if they could send their customers who needed notarizations to me. That loan signing turned out to be very profitable over the years.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/30/06 12:44pm
Msg #130016

Re: Yummy, nice tip, Sylvia

Most of them do have a notary. This one is owned by a man and his wife, who I did a loan signing for about 5 years ago (remember I posted about the borrowers who had 4 pure bred wolves in their home). The guy used to be a notary, but decided it was too much trouble so didn't renew his commission. When I did their loan signing they asked if they could send their customers who needed notarizations to me. That loan signing turned out to be very profitable over the years.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/30/06 12:45pm
Msg #130017

Sorry, don't know why that double posted. n/m

Reply by LawrenceOK on 6/30/06 12:45pm
Msg #130018

Pamela, John Q Public can sure surprise you. Everyone at one time or another needs documents notarized and we ARE Notaries Public first and foremost and Signing Agents second. I'm mobile, meaning I do not allow them come to my home unless I know them and I try to meet folks at a public place.

Office space around here can be damn right expensive so I carry everything I need in my briefcase, and I have a used All-In-One wired up in the van for printing and coping.

Reply by Maggiemae_CA on 6/30/06 1:21pm
Msg #130028

Pack N Ship Referrals...

Sounds great, but in my neck of the woods it hasn't been very successful. My friend (who I brought into the business) tried working that out with our local Pack N Ship storefront we both use for our mail delivery. The problem we found was that people walking in off the street wanted instant service and she lived 15 minutes away. That gal who owned the Pack N Ship took the "NOTARY-BY APPOINTMENT" sign out of her window because she was getting grief from people stopping in wanting instant gratification and not being able to provide on the spot notary services.

I was in the shop picking up my mail one evening and a customer was asking for notary services, I did the notarization only because I happened to be standing there. The gal who owns the shop has told me that prior to the sign going up in her window she would get 6 to 10 walk-ins a week requesting notary services. Once the sign went up the walk-ins went to to 8 to 13 per week.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 6/30/06 1:27pm
Msg #130031

Re: Pack N Ship Referrals...

I had to put a sign at my front door to stop those from asking for walk-in service.
My sign basically says Please don't knock for notary services.
This is a private residence, not a business and the notary service is mobile.
We will not see any notary clients without an appointment.
For an immediate appt., please call _______ and we will accommodate
your immediate needs whenever possible. A vaild ID is required for all notarizations.
We are not attorneys, blah blah.
It has worked to a good degree, but there is the occasional drunk who thinks he is
above the phone call. My husband sets them straight, LOL.

Reply by Joe Ewing on 6/30/06 1:19pm
Msg #130027

I do public notarizations, see my profile.

Unless you are an accountant or own a Mailbox store I would discourage you from opening an office strictly to do notarizations. What would be funny is if you were in Nevada. You would have to stamp like crazy at 50 cents a pop.

Reply by Signing_Doc on 6/30/06 2:13pm
Msg #130056

"What would be funny is if you were in Nevada." Being in Nevada (Las Vegas specifically), I don't understand what you mean Joe. Not dumping on you, just wanting to understand the reference. "Doc" Stuart

Reply by Joe Ewing on 6/30/06 3:26pm
Msg #130109

Oops! What state sets the fee at 50 cents...Mi? Still at $5 per signature (NV) a dedicated store front would be even more foolish that one would be in Cali at $10 per signature.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 6/30/06 1:53pm
Msg #130038

Yes! Not nearly enough to consider opening a storefront.

The local equivalent to Mailboxes, Etc. and I have a good working relationship. I refer notary work to them frequently. People often want notarizations done immediately, and don't want to pay travel fees. The owner does loan signings, but only overnight packages, no edocs. I do edocs as well as overnights, so we sometimes refer loan work back and forth. I encourage people to develop similar symbiotic relationships!

Lady Rouge (she of the Red Hat) is a licensed massage therapist. She and I both refuse to do any business in our home. There are just too many issues.

I do pro bono work for anyone in a hospital or convelescent hospital because a local notary notarized a doc for my mother when she couldn't get out. It is like therapy for me.

Reply by des/WA on 6/30/06 2:40pm
Msg #130078

I run my business out of my home...and since I live alone I don't allow a single man to come my home just as I wouldn't go to a single man's home for safety reasons. I have a mutual friend who lets me use his home as an office when I have to meet with a single man, he works from home. And I find it comforting. I have had couples come to my home when it wasn't conv for me to go to their home for some reason or we meet at a mutual place. But usually I go to them.