How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Seven Steps

If you’re looking for ways to expand your notary business, consider becoming a remote online notary. Working online opens opportunities to find more clients and make more money. Here’s how you can find work as an online notary for attorneys and other professionals.

Join the Digital Revolution

We do everything online these days. You can deposit a check to your bank account, have groceries delivered, book appointments and hold meetings without leaving the comfort of your home. Now, notary services have jumped on the digital trend. As more customers realize how easy and convenient online notarization is, the practice will grow. It’s already legal in about 30 states. If your state permits online notarization, you’re in luck. You can get certified to do online notarizations.

With more people staying home, an online notary business is a smart way to help these people get the notary services they need while generating income for yourself. This is also a great way to ensure you’re on top of trends in your industry.

What Is a Remote Online Notary?

A remote online notary performs notarizations online instead of in person. Rather than drive to a local notary’s office, a customer makes an appointment to meet a notary in a virtual setting. The signing, notarization and official seal all take place in this virtual platform.

In states where remote online notarization is legal, documents notarized this way have the same legal validity as documents notarized in person.

Why You Should Become an Online Notary

There are some excellent reasons to do notary work online.

• Work from home on your own schedule.
• Develop a part-time income.
• Expand your client base.
• Save on travel expenses.
• Keep working despite COVID-19 restrictions.
• Save on time traveling between appointments.
• Put your notary qualifications to good use.
• Upgrade your skills.

People Need Your Help

The COVID-19 pandemic may be keeping everyone indoors, but it hasn’t stopped life from continuing. People still need to draft wills, buy real estate and sign contracts. If someone is in a nursing home or hospital, they probably need medical powers of attorney. People involved in legal cases often receive documents that they must get notarized and return to their lawyers. Realtors, paralegals and financial advisers frequently need the services of a notary.

These needs haven’t gone away just because we’re staying indoors. People need your help to notarize their documents. Doing it online is incredibly convenient for them and for you. It’s also the safe, socially distant way to conduct business.

How to Become a Remote Online Notary in Seven Steps

Are you ready to join the digital notary revolution? Follow these steps to start providing your services online.

1. Contact Your State Board

Start by finding out if your state allows online notarization. Some states have passed laws permitting it in all situations. Others have passed temporary measures allowing it during the pandemic. Contact the notary licensing or commissioning board in your state.

2. Get Training

Most states that allow online notarization require online notaries to get training. This is requirement, but you’ll probably find the training very helpful. You’ll learn the details of getting started and using technology.

3. Get Insurance Coverage

Most notaries must carry errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. If you’re also offering online services, you may need an additional surety bond. Check with your insurance provider to be sure you have the right coverage. You may need to expand your current coverage or write a new policy.

4. Get Your Equipment

You don’t need a lot of equipment to get started. You will need:

• Laptop or computer with a microphone and video recording capability.
• Internet access.
• Digital notary seals and certificates.
• Online notary journal.
• An email address.
• Notary platform that meets your state’s security requirements.

5. Choose a Notary Platform

Choosing the right notary platform is essential to your success. According to state law, you must choose one of the platforms approved for use by your state licensing commission. If you don’t use a state-approved platform, your notarizations won’t be valid.

Meeting the legal requirements is only part of the story, however. It’s also important to choose a platform that’s easy to use and has a wide pool of customers. The right platform can make or break your success as an online notary.

An all-in-one platform like One Notary has everything you need to get started quickly. Your free registration comes with an intuitive platform, free storage of your documents, free storage of your seals and a free online journal. It’s easy enough for any novice to use, and it walks you through the process of setting up your own online notary profile.

Once you register and set up your profile, you can start seeing clients immediately. With a comprehensive platform like this, you never have to worry about finding clients. They come to you.

6. Let Your Current Clients Know

Do you have clients who currently use your notary services? Let them know they can now reach you on a virtual platform.

7. Ready, Set and Go

An all-in-one notary platform is the easiest way to move into online notarization. If you join an established platform like OneNotary, you will get:

• An easy-to-use platform and tons of technical support.
• No registration or transaction fees. It’s 100% free for you.
• Regular, reliable payments.
• High payment rates.
• Steady customer base.
• Fast onboarding so you can sign up and start making money right away.

Get Started Today

OneNotary can help you get started as an online notary. You’ll soon be on your way to earning more money from home while helping people who need your services. If you’re a licensed notary, contact OneNotary today.