One of the most lucrative side hustles is also one of the longest-standing.
The earliest evidence of notaries dates back to 2750 BC in ancient Egypt, where these chroniclers verified official communications including proclamations and tax documents.
Notaries, or notary publics, witness and authorize the signing of important documents, like passport applications and real estate contracts.
While the essence of their job remains the same, the profession has since evolved to include notary signing agents, or notaries who specialize in property records and loan documents — an in-demand service that people are willing to pay a lot of money for.
Most notary publics can only charge what their state dictates; notary signing agents, on the other hand, can charge more for handling sensitive mortgage or loan packages, often on tight deadlines.
The gig is often flexible, and you can earn as much as $20,000 a month as a part-time agent, according to the National Notary Association.
Here’s how to start a side hustle as a notary signing agent.
Becoming a notary signing agent can take less than a month — and doesn’t require a degree
The requirements for becoming a notary vary from state to state, but generally, the process includes the following steps:
- Send an application and fee to your state’s regulating office
- Receive your verified commission documents in the mail
- Take your oath of office
To become a notary, you must be at least 18 years old. There are no educational requirements, but some states, including California and New York, require notaries to take a training course and pass an hour-long exam. Other states might also require you to pass a background check and file a surety bond as part of the process (you can check your state’s rules here).
To become a signing agent, Kat Garcia senior manager of content strategy at the National Notary Association, recommends taking a loan signing training course and passing a second exam that is compliant with the Signing…
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