Posted by Debra-owner California Cartazs on 9/26/09 1:13pm
Msg #305176

Wanting to grow my business

Hi every one .....I am new to Notary Rotary however....I have been a notary for about eight years doing notary works in banks and for the last fouryears taking walk ins for my postal center in ca. Postal Center is up for sale and I am want to expand my services to do more mobile and weddings (jailhouse weddings) any help in getting started will be great! Thank-you!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 9/26/09 1:18pm
Msg #305178

Sorry to say that unless you're clergy or a wedding officiant I don't believe "just a notary" can do weddings in CA...

I'd suggest searching here (orange button) for posts by LauraV or Laura Vestanen (sp?) - she has a book out about marketing non-loan signing notary business - sounds like it's something you'd really benefit from..(hope this doesn't get deleted for advertising).

Good luck to you!!

Reply by Debra-owner California Cartazs on 9/26/09 1:58pm
Msg #305187

tHANK-YOU.


I AM A WEDDING OFFICIANT, AS OF LAST WEEK,LOL

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 9/26/09 3:35pm
Msg #305195

In CA, as a wedding officiant (If you're not a Rabbi) you could get $250 or so as a base fee. That's about what a judge charges.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 9/26/09 2:39pm
Msg #305188

"..(hope this doesn't get deleted for advertising)."

In that case a couple of my recent posts would have been deleted, as I have recommended Laura Vestanen's book a couple of times.

Think it would only get deleted for advertising if Laura herself posted here promoting her book.

I did discover that her book is available on her website (www.professionalnotary.com), that Amazon does not have the latest version.

Reply by Roger_OH on 9/26/09 3:29pm
Msg #305194

Good advice re Laura's book. You also need to fill in your profile here, and give people a reason to contact you.

Reply by Debra-owner California Cartazs on 9/26/09 4:22pm
Msg #305198

ok I'll purchase book today. I will tried to write a bio this weekend. I need to think of something. Roger yours is very nice.....I don't look as good as you so I will not use a picture. Thanks for all you guys help.

Reply by Laura_V on 9/27/09 12:27am
Msg #305244

CA - secret weddings were allowed when I left 6 years ago

When I left CA six years ago, a notary could get a special commission (license? not certain of proper term) and perform secret marriages.

I never did this but I remember that secret ceremonies were usually between two middle-aged or elderly hetero couples who expected lots of flack from families due to possible changes in assets. CA is a community property state. (Or at least it was when I left!) Some greedy adult children were furious when they discovered Pop intended to marry "some hussy" who lived down the street. Hence the allowance of secret marriages.

Calif changes its notary rules so frequently I don't know how you CA NSAs keep up. I'm not at all surprised to read that marriage duties are now allowed by notaries there.

Esp in this economy, poor people need alternative wedding officiants.

Debra - I suggest you find the busiest local affordable (not rich people, not poor people) wedding vendors (musicians, cake makers, etc) and form marketing partnerships. The flower gal reccos you to her clients, you recco your clients to here. Like that.

Very cheap, very effective Guerilla marketing.

And you are dead in the water without a website. One page is fine. You need a unique domain name.

Good luck! LauraV

btw - WA made Domestic Partnerships legal a couple of years ago. These are mostly for gay marriages. But heteros over 62 can do it, too.

This is because many elderly widows and widowers live together "in sin" because they would get less Soc Security check amounts each month if they legally married. WA is very churchy so these couples are hugely embarrassed that they are "living in sin." (Their words, not mine.)

Now they can be Registered Domestic Partners and they feel so much better.

Even more important: they can speak for each other in medical emergencies, just like legally married people. A huge benefit to these truly poor people.

I did a ton of these notarizations when Dom Partnerships were finally made legal. I posted my contact info and a couple of sentences on the free gay websites in WA. And I gave a mini/picnic size bottle of champagne with a blue or pink ribbon bow according to circumstances.

Gay is still pretty underground (I was shocked when I moved here) so my name got passed around all over town, esp among University staff and faculty.

Sorry for abbreviations. I'm plum tuckered out tonite. Worked all day and tomorrow will be same. FINALLY bad cold weather has come to the Pacific Northwest and people are getting back to chores they put off this entire gorgeous summer! Might snow on 4K ft elevations Tuesday. I'm the only one who can't wait!

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/27/09 2:59am
Msg #305252

Domestic Partnerships - legal in CA for a few years now, too

... under pretty much the same circumstances. BTW, I don't think the marriage duties allowed by notaries in CA have changed much, although I'll have to go back and check again. (I don't plan to do any, so I didn't pay as close attention to that part... )

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 9/27/09 8:54am
Msg #305257

That would be a confidential marriage license.

I was told that it's popular among police officers to keep their information private.

Reply by Debra-owner California Cartazs on 9/27/09 1:47pm
Msg #305271

Re: CA - secret weddings were allowed when I left 6 years ago

Thank-you very, very, much for this hot tip!

Reply by John_NorCal on 9/27/09 5:20pm
Msg #305296

CA Notaries Public are NOT authorized to officiate weddings

unless they are ordained ministers, etc. As to confidential marriage licenses per the 2009 handbook:


Confidential Marriage Licenses
A notary public who is interested in obtaining authorization to issue confidential marriage
licenses may apply for approval to the county clerk in the county in which the notary public
resides. A notary public must not issue a confidential marriage license unless he or she is
approved by the county clerk having jurisdiction. The county clerk offers a course of instruction,
which a notary public must complete before authorization will be granted. Additionally, in
order for a notary public to perform the marriage, he/she must be one of the persons authorized
under Family Code sections 400 to 402, e.g., priest, minister, or rabbi. The county clerk in
the county where the notary public resides may or may not approve the authorization to issue
confidential marriage licenses. The county clerk should be consulted if the notary public is
interested in obtaining approval. (Family Code section 530)

Reply by Debra-owner California Cartazs on 9/27/09 5:56pm
Msg #305303

Re: CA Notaries Public are NOT authorized to officiate weddings

Thank-you but I know what is required I looking for marketing help......John you are in Califonia and are approved to do wedding what marketing of wedding service works for you? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Reply by John_NorCal on 9/27/09 6:21pm
Msg #305309

Re: CA Notaries Public are NOT authorized to officiate weddings

My county isn't appointing any confidential marriage licensees, you might check with yours to see if they are appointing new licensees. Sorry but I don't usually market wedding services, I've performed them for family and friends only. The people who do market weddings usually market a coplete wedding plannings service, that's where they make their money. Try doing a google search for wedding officiants and see what types of services they offer.

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 9/27/09 6:44pm
Msg #305315

Re: CA Notaries Public are NOT authorized to officiate weddings

As Rabbis, my husband and I have advertised in Here Comes the Guide.