Welcome To OhioNotaries.org



Thinking about starting a mobile notary business? Serving the public as a mobile notary can be very rewarding, both personally and financially. Before jumping into it, though, here are some of the realities to consider:How flexible is your schedule? People request mobile notary services day or night, 7 days a week. How much time can you commit to, and what areas can you cover? What is a reasonable travel fee for you to those areas, in addition to the state notary fees? It is an actual business, not a hobby, and needs to be treated as such. There are federal, state, and even local business/self-employment laws that must be observed. Come up with a catchy business name, and register it with the Secretary of State.You will need the following: reliable car, cell phone, computer, LASER printer, fax, copier/scanner, paper, ink/toner, errors & omissions insurance ($25-$100K), nice business cards, current notary commission, loose certificates or stamps, an EIN (from the IRS – NEVER give out your SSN), and most importantly, good people skills.You’ll encounter all kinds of people in all kinds of situations and locations. Stay safe and keep a bottle of Purel handy!There are many ways to market your business: a) notary-specific sites such as , , , and (if NNA member) – for any of these sites, you MUST have a professional-looking profile (with NO grammatical errors) that will make potential customers want to call YOU. Also invest in a Premium listing so you’ll be seen; b) join your local chamber of commerce as a business; c) target populations having frequent requests for notary services – hospitals, retirement homes, senior centers, title companies and financial/law firms, hotels, auto shows, FedEx stores, etc. Leave business cards everywhere!Some of the most frequent notary service requests are for documents involving adoption, immigration, divorce, copy certifications, real estate & loan signings, vehicle titles, foreign-languages, Living Wills & Health Care Power of Attorney, I-9s (not notarizable), financial powers of attorney, and school forms. Again, leave business cards all over town, and use social media such as CraigsList, Yelp, YP/Yellowbook, Angie’s List, and local business sites. Having a website for your business will increase your exposure markedly. You must invest in your business!It is essential to remember that everyone’s document is important to them, and your customer is expecting and trusting you to perform your services accurately and lawfully. Know your Ohio notary laws, signing procedures, and best practices thoroughly.Real estate signings for refinances, modifications, and purchases require additional training. These transactions involve large sums of money, with no margin for error. A good resource for this training is . A further background check/certification is necessary.Always provide a receipt for your services. Note that ALL notary income is subject to Federal taxes, and must be declared on the Schedule C form filed with your tax return. Keep good records - the costs related to your notary business are tax-deductible.It’s essential to have a Business Plan that will take into account all aspects of your business and determine your profitability goals. Your local SCORE chapter offers free assistance in creating yours. Also check government programs for women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses. ................
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