Posted by Roger_OH on 2/11/07 6:01pm
Msg #175260

Providing general notary services...

I read with interest a few threads below on the topic of general notary services, and was mildly surprised that the majority of posters didn't seem to want to provide them. I have somewhat of a different take, in that I do enjoy providing them, and with the travel fees and repeat business, they can be pretty lucrative! Most are within a 10-mile radius (beyond that I'd generally do a referral, or include them while I'm already on a signing assignment in that area). Adoptions, immigrations, affidavits, insurance docs, school forms, corporate papers, etc; I've had plenty of work out doing these. for both individuals and businesses. I have a Yellow Pages ad where I'm the only MOBILE notary listed (along with the usual internet placements) and also do targeted advertising in certain parts of town, with a focus on businesses and being available after 5pm.

I guess I feel that as a notary, my primary responsibility is to serve the public of the state that commissioned me to do so. While I respect the other opinions previously posted, we all have to do what works best for each of us in our own situations; fortunately, this works out for me in my area.

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 2/11/07 6:40pm
Msg #175268

I totally agree with you...

I do more general notarizations than loan signings - good income, NO frustration w/e-docs, and only takes a few minutes! I live in a pretty central area wih alot of businesses within a 15 mile radius - I target them and get referrals from them - its great! The best part - they never question my fees - they just pay it (another advantage - paid on the spot).

Reply by Teddog/CO on 2/11/07 7:08pm
Msg #175273

Re: I totally agree with you...

Yes, you are both correct I've been doing general notarizations for years. Nice steady income and as you say No frustration with edocs and you are done in a flash. Most of my work is from referrals from all types of professional people. And as you said you get your pay right on the spot. No chasing for 3 months to get your fee. I have yet had anyone question my fee, even had people "tip" because they thought I didn't charge them enough. Now that's a nice change from "I'll have to call you back." LOL
With general notarizations and my other "little business" I am busy every day and that makes all the difference in the world when Signings are in the "slump" periods. Plus I just love to keep busy and not get all frustrated because Signings are slow. It boils-down to marketing a lot of ambition, and advertising. Do them all, keep yourself out there and available as the professional you are.
These would be the big reasons I don't post to often.

Reply by NJ_Notary on 2/11/07 7:34pm
Msg #175275

Do any of you perform Notary Drills for banks? n/m

Reply by Michelle/AL on 2/11/07 10:09pm
Msg #175298

Re: Do any of you perform Notary Drills for banks?

Here in Alabama banks have several notaries on staff. When I checked into doing "drills" for safe deposit boxes, I was told that they simply use a notary at the bank.

Reply by NJ_Notary on 2/11/07 10:19pm
Msg #175301

Re: Do any of you perform Notary Drills for banks?

Thats interesting. Maybe its a state/market thing. I know when I perform them I have asked a similar ? and have always recieved the following as an answer:

while we have on staff notaries we use independents ones so that there is no ? of a conflict of interest.

Its a shame becuase the drills are a wonderful supplemental income to performing Loan closings. I almost enjoy them better. There isnt any hassle, no docs to print, no suprises for the borrower (ie wrong interest rates, etc.). Its very cut and dry and less hurdles to jump over. In additon I have been able to some amazing things that are kept in the boxes - things such as rare coins, etc. So its neat and something thats very enjoyable. I hope you get to do a few some day. They are well worth it in my opinion.

Reply by Jersey_Boy on 2/11/07 10:50pm
Msg #175303

FYI - SDB Drilling in NJ

NJ Law prohibits a Notary Public who is actively employed in a financial institution (bank) from acting as a witness for the drilling of a safe deposit box. The bank is required to hire an outside notary.

Reply by NJ_Notary on 2/12/07 11:37am
Msg #175329

Re: FYI - SDB Drilling in NJ

Hey JB,

Thanks for letting me know. While I assumed there may be such, I wasnt sure. Thanks for notifying me of such. I always am glad to learn new things

Have a great one!

Reply by ewing2surf on 2/11/07 7:05pm
Msg #175272

I have taken the same path as you for the last 8 years however there are a hundred mobile notaries in our yellowpages.

Reply by Joan_OH on 2/11/07 10:11pm
Msg #175299

Roger, in theory, I agree with you. But what I experience is a little bit different.

My calls come in on Sunday - my day off. They want car titles notarized. They say they will come to me, but I will not allow clients on my property due to insurance reasons. They do not want to pay a travel fee. I always suggest Kinkos or UPS store.

They also call on Holidays. I got called to the local hospital on New Years Day. I didn't want to go, but went because where else were they going to find a notary on New Years Day? Get cleaned up, get to the hospital, call who I'm supposed to call to find out which room and I'm told "never mind". That gets discouraging. Of course no pay cause I never set eyes on anyone.

Last week I got a call to go out and do a car title for an elderly man who was housebound and was giving his car to his son. While I was there they asked if I could notarize a living will. I was happy to do it and at no charge. I feel it's my civic duty to help out the elderly when I can. That doesn't mean I will go to the nursing home when I'm called to notarize a will and and told "Dad is having a good day although he has dimentia". All those calls I politely explain that I do not have the medical background to determine competency and strongly suggest they get an attorney to notarize it.

I used to leave my business cards. Now I just cringe when they ask for them. I received no less than 10 calls last month (where's my money? When will it record? How come the taxes weren't paid? etc). I really need to add a cover sheet with the title company's number and escrow officer's name.

I never refuse, but if I'm going to do it, it's going to be on my terms, whether it's a freebie, civic duty notarization or requiring a meeting off my property with a travel fee paid. Maybe I would feel differently about it if I got calls during the week, but I only get them on Sundays and Holidays.

Joan-OH

Reply by John_NorCal on 2/12/07 1:20am
Msg #175310

I perform general notarizations in my office, I welcome them, they're fast, and they pay on the spot. I have had some calls outside of business hours, but the callers never want to pay a travel fee. We're inundated with notaries as you well know, so most people will go to a Kinkos, UPS store, Postal Annex or a real estate office if they need a notary. As a matter of fact, I rationalize NOT doing $50.00 signings because of the fees from general notary work, I can sit in my office and expend less effort for the same amount of money.

Reply by Teddog/CO on 2/12/07 10:34am
Msg #175326

Hey! John how are you doing ? RE:gen/Notarizations

I think it depends on the part of the country you live. Here in my neck-of-the-woods it is so rural (it takes a good 45 mins) to hit civilization. So folks tend to "save-up" their trips to town, it's just cheaper. I get a lot of referrals and advertise a great deal. Like you I have folks come to the house (by appointment) to get things notarized . Not a problem for me. It's cash and no problems. And you meet some very nice people to boot. You can't beat that.

My personal opinion it's really foolish to rely on signings only to make a living. The mortgage industry is really taking a hit. I am thinking that the government will really start "cracking down" on some of the less then stellar companies. That will be the end of those $50 notaries and their cohorts (signing services.)

Here in Colorado building is a an all time high. I have No idea where these people are getting the money from, but by golly they are still selling homes.

It is very competitive here. Still NNA is cranking out notaries like it's going out of style. I think the severe winter we had "killed" a lot of them off. If you don't have the vehicle and equipment needed to deal with these roads out here "it's all over for you." I've been doing this for so long it's just 2nd nature to me now.

Again, I can't stress enough "Have a second option" when it comes to being self-employed. You will never regret it and charge your professional fee. Remember you are running a business and not a charitable organization.