Posted by kmontyCA on 7/31/10 1:24am
Msg #347118

General notary work

I get calls now and then for general notary work, but I don't have an office outside my home. I am not insured for my home. Do those of you who do general notary work have an outside office, or do you do strictly mobile notary work where you meet clients outside your home and charge a bit more?

I've gotten some calls for general work and some of them expect me to have the forms they need, like POA's and other forms too. They are surprised when I tell them they have to provide the forms. Is that normal?

Reply by JanetK_CA on 7/31/10 4:12am
Msg #347123

1st question: Like you, I'm not insured to have people come to my home, but that's intentional. For security and privacy reasons, I don't want any one to come to my home. If I sense that people are going to balk about a travel fee, I'll offer to meet them at my "remote office". That's a coffee shop around the corner from me. If it's after they close, there are a couple of Starbucks within a mile (one in each direction), that I also use frequently. These are done without charging a travel fee - if they're willing to meet at my convenience. This keeps me in pin money...

2nd question: yes, it's normal for people to be surprised - especially if they're from a country where notaries are more like attorneys. For others, they just don't have a clue about what a notary does - or does not do. It's up to us to educate them.

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 7/31/10 5:02am
Msg #347127

No one comes to my home I have them meet me at Kinko's which is down the street. Pick a place close to your home. You never know who's coming into your home so be careful.
I've never had an issue with customer thinking I would supply legal documents.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 7/31/10 5:38am
Msg #347130

I agree with the others. I don't publish my home address on any of my notary listings and I don't want people coming to my home for notarizations. I also don't publish my home phone number either, only my cell number. Home is private. I don't want my family subjected to having random people come over willy nilly.

I meet people at my local Starbucks or library for a low $10 travel fee plus $5 per notarization. These locations are both extremely conveninet for me and I can usually combine the trip with picking up something I need at the grocery store afterward. I also travel to other locations for a higher fee. I spell these charges out on my website and about 90% of the time the people ask to meet me at Starbucks. I tell them I will be standing inside, next to the newspaper rack, holding a black briefcase, and when they see me just let me know.

One time I do remember meeting someone at Starbucks for a POA signing. He had his witnesses there and everything. I arrived and asked to see the document and he looked at me all confused - "Oh, I thought you had one you could give me." He never mentioned it on the phone!

Reply by MW/VA on 7/31/10 7:08am
Msg #347131

I got quite a few calls for general notary work & they usually come evenings or weekends.
I explain my fee structure (I charge a minimum of $25 w/travel). More often than not I refer them to a pack & ship store that's around the corner from me that has a notary on duty every day & on Saturday. On a couple of occasions I've allowed people to come to my condo, but don't normally do that.

Reply by Cari on 7/31/10 7:49am
Msg #347133

I have an office, because I need a place to meet with clients (have 3 businesses or more like jobs), anyway, so its convenient for all to meet there.

But if I have to travel outside those four walls, I charge depending on mileage and how far they are from my office. My fees are hefty (as compared to some listed here) for traveling since we can only charge a $1 for the actual notarization. But I'd say 7 out of 10 come to the office after I explain the fees which are also listed on my website and posted on a wall in the office.

If you can afford to rent a small office or even one of those virtual offices where you can go there every now and then, and literally pay only $50 to $100 a month, it might pay off for you. But other than that, I'd go with what was suggested here, a local coffee house, etc.

Good luck!

Reply by JulieD/KS on 7/31/10 9:08am
Msg #347136

I, too, have an office (it's for my tax business) and it's only a mile from here. Rent is $275 a month, which is pretty affordable for an office.

I will do general notary work there...but if they need me in the evenings, I will just have them come to my home.

Reply by jba/fl on 7/31/10 9:25am
Msg #347139

I have 3 stickie memos on the front of my monitor with 3 different addresses and in 3 different directions from my home office. 2 locations are extremely close, the 3rd is further. I have 3 different prices for those locations. Pick the satellite office of your choice, I will meet you and we will get your paperwork done for free travel, $5 travel fee, $10 travel fee. All other locations will incur higher fees. Usually one of the first two is chosen.

As others have stated, that will be when I get my milk, eggs or bread, etc. in order to make more efficient use of my car. I only do my neighbors or regular contacts at my home office.

Reply by James Dawson on 7/31/10 9:52am
Msg #347140

About 40% of my notary work fits this category. I don't have an office and meet the client outside my home most of the time.

Depending on the clients needs determines whether I will refer them to a UPS store or someplace similar, sometime I even look it up for them if they tell me where they are.

I answer all calls so those I get at weird hours of the night I give the same consideration as if it were twelve noon (doesn't really happen that often).

At home, I escort clients to a small vestibule that has two chairs and a wooden T.V. tray for signing. I tell my family if a client is coming/time and most of the time you cannot even tell there's other people present in the home.

Reply by Les_CO on 7/31/10 10:55am
Msg #347142

Where's Laura V. now that we actually need her? n/m

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 8/1/10 10:58pm
Msg #347264

Laura Vestanen

Has a great new book out for general notary work. Just do an internet search on her name and you will find her.

Reply by Mary Ellen Elmore on 7/31/10 10:59am
Msg #347143

People don't understand and yes, a lot of the time they expect you to have the forms.

Here in TN most of those forms are on the TN State website. I can charge a secretarial services fee for printing them out and even for typing what they say (to fill the forms in or for simple things like an affidavit). You have to be careful and type exactly what they say. Best is to have them write it out (like in a well bound book such as a Record book or Journal) and just type from that. Have them print it and print their name address and date then sign it. That way you have proof of what they said they wanted typed. I give them a page that says NOTARIAL WORDING with a jurat and an acknowledgment and have them pick which one and have them write it in the journal also.

They also sign a form stating I did not give legal advice and that I can do not know if the form the got from the TN State website or what they had my type for them is legal nor if it will serve the purpose they intend or not.

I do let people come to my home (super small town they know where I live anyways) but they need to call me first. Never had any one not call first. I have spoken to my homeowner's insurance agent and all is well on that end.

Reply by parkerc/ME on 7/31/10 12:49pm
Msg #347155

For the very little general notary work that I've done, I've been having them come to my house for my convenience purposes, only after they have called first. However, after seeing the responses here, I might change that, travel to the nearest McDonald's a mile away and consider that my "office", and up my fee accordingly.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 7/31/10 1:03pm
Msg #347159

Parker, sounds like a good idea. I won't go to Starbucks for a $5 notarization (that's the amount I am allowed to charge per notarization here in VA), but I will go for $5 plus my low $10 travel fee. And if more than one notarization is needed, then all the better! I'm sure to keep at least two $5 bills in my bag for change. I've found that people are willing to pay a reasonable travel fee and I do get quite a few calls - not a big money maker but it's nice pocket money.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 7/31/10 12:59pm
Msg #347157

Nobody comes to my home, either. My business license is restricted as a "mobile" business -- which means clients don't come to my home. I always tell people, and it's the truth, that because of city zoning rules I can't have people come to my home. Most everyone understands that.

I charge a flat travel/service fee $10 per signature -- but I'm also flexible depending on the situation. If it's clear that the person doesn't want to pay the travel fee, I will happily refer them to the closest place where I know a notary is on staff.

I always ask them first if they're a member of AAA. That's always the best way to go --- and in SoCal, a LOT of people are AAA members. Regular members pay $7/signature. Plus members pay $4, and Premier members don't pay anything (up to 10 signatures a day).

That said, I will sometimes offer to meet them somewhere and not charge a travel fee if it's convenient. Let's say I was needing to run to the grocery store anyway... I'd offer to meet them somewhere a long the way, and I would not charge a travel fee.

I highly prefer general notary work over loans -- which makes me a bit different than many here. I have no problems doing loans... I'm just getting tired of the games the companies play and the lack of respect. Loans involve a LOT of work and companies just aren't willing to foot the bill to cover it -- they treat us like employees or slaves and not the professionals that we are.

The key for mobile work... at least in California.... is to make sure you're making people VERY clear that you're charging a travel//service fee or a notarization fee... keep them distinct... and not just charge a lump sum. To do so could put your commission at risk for overcharging. When I issue receipts, I always separate out travel/service fees. Even if I don't charge for a notarization on top of the service fee.... I write it out and be sure to put $0.00 or N/C. I don't want anyone thinking I'm overcharging.

When I go to jails/courthouses where I charge simply for my time... I still issue receipts that itemize each notarized document, followed by the $0 or N/C. When I'm hired by the hour, everything is included, no matter the number of notarizations. I had an attorney who had me come to the courthouse just yesterday --- he hired me for 3 hours to notarize documents for several different clients. Half the time I just sat in the attorney room waiting --- no big deal to me, I was on his clock. I think I notarized about 8 signatures total.

Reply by James Dawson on 7/31/10 1:20pm
Msg #347168

Same here Marian, love those attorney office jobs. Most of the time the attorneys are very generous too!

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 7/31/10 1:31pm
Msg #347171

And as for forms...

I do carry some specific forms with me... but only those that are common to this area -- like identity verification forms for requesting a copy of a birth certificate by mail. I don't just give them to people, though... they have to ask for them. In these cases, they are "packets" that come from official sources, like the County Clerk, and have instructions on them.

I always make sure they they know my having a form doesn't equate to it being the form they need and I'm not advising them of anything.

In California, there *IS* a uniform statutory Durable Power of Attorney form that can be used (CA Probate 4401). I don't really carry these .... but I HAVE been asked by attorneys to print them out and take them to clients. That I have no problem doing.

See: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=prob&group=04001-05000&file=4400-4409

And: http://www.scselfservice.org/probate/finan/powersatty.htm


In California, there is also a fairly standard Advance health care directive form -- I DO carry copies of these, but they are usually available at any hospital, too...and of course everywhere online.

Here's a copy of that form... available from the CA Attorney's General's website:

http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/pdf/ProbateCodeAdvancedHealthCareDirectiveForm-fillable.pdf



Anything beyond standard forms that are easily available from PUBLIC and easily verifiable sources, I won't carry.

Reply by James Dawson on 7/31/10 1:57pm
Msg #347176

I don't do forms....my reason being if...

we cannot select the form to be used, Ack vs Jurats, we shouldn't be involved in selecting anything else. Maybe I'm talking apples and oranges but UPL accusations drives my hesitancy in personally providing the forms.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 7/31/10 2:25pm
Msg #347178

Re: I don't do forms....my reason being if...

I totally agree.... but the ones I carry are those that are very specific. I did talk to the County Clerk about giving people their forms and they said it was fine. I don't ever just volunteer the form, though... they have to ask for it specifically. And the ones I do carry are ones that are from public agencies (County Clerk) or like the AHCD from the AG's office. Anything else, and they're on their own.

It rarely happens to me, though... most of the time, people already have the paperwork they need, and I always ask them on the phone if they have it... and if they don't they need to get it. Other times, I carry these because an attorney told me to give one to their client. That happens more commonly that anything else.

Reply by LKT/CA on 8/1/10 1:12am
Msg #347202

<<<I get calls now and then for general notary work, but I don't have an office outside my home. I am not insured for my home. Do those of you who do general notary work have an outside office, or do you do strictly mobile notary work where you meet clients outside your home and charge a bit more?>>>

If I am not traveling to the client's home or office, we meet at Starbucks, McDonalds, Wendy's, Pizza Hut - any public place with booths/tables. This allows me to meet with someone at later hours, or early morning hours in a neutral place. I only charge a travel fee when I go to the client's home or office. If the client meets me at the Starbucks near me (5 mins.), I waive the travel fee.

<<<I've gotten some calls for general work and some of them expect me to have the forms they need, like POA's and other forms too. They are surprised when I tell them they have to provide the forms. Is that normal?>>>

During the initial call, besides inquiring about their ID, how many signers, the document and meeting place, I always ask, "And the paperwork is filled out (or the letter is written/typed) except for the signature, correct?" This would be the time that they'd ask me if I had forms, to which I would reply NO, I don't supply forms.

When it comes to letters, the client tells me the situation and what they need and then I say, "Okay, what you just told me, hand write or type it out and I'll notarize your signature to that statement.

Reply by ikando on 8/1/10 8:54pm
Msg #347262

I am a freelance legal assistant with an office I share with my tax accountant husband who is also a notary. If someone wants to meet with me during my business hours, I'll meet them at the office for the per signature fee.

If they don't have documents, I work with attorneys who have approved documents that I can use to "fill in the blanks" for the client. But I don't notarize those documents myself. I have my hubby do that.

If someone calls outside business hours, if they don't have a form, I don't provide it. I will travel to them for a distance rate, or meet them at the convenience store around the corner. I can't tell you the number of vehicle titles I've notarized on the hood of a car on the weekends.

Like others, it's my pocket money.