Kelsey: Timeframe wise from start to finish, how long does it take to become a notary? I am in Texas.

Laura: 

My understanding is it would take about 30 days to get through the process to become a Texas notary. Below are the steps published by the NNA
Texas Notary Process
To become a Notary Public in Texas, applicants must complete the following process:

Make sure you meet all of Texas’ eligibility requirements (see below).
Get your $10,000 surety bond.
Complete the entire application Form 2301. Consider using our application wizard to avoid mistakes.
Submit your application, proof of your bond and a $21 filing fee to the state.
Receive your commission certificate.
Take your oath of office. You will need to bring your commission certificate to a Texas Notary who will administer the oath and notarize the form. They will keep the commission certificate and oath (Tex. Gov’t Code, Sec. 406.005).
Buy your Notary seal, journal / record book and fee schedule.
Consider purchasing E&O insurance to limit your financial exposure.
Consider taking a continuing education course for additional training and guidance.
How long does it take to receive my Notary commission?
You should receive your commission certificate from the state in approximately two weeks if you emailed it and approximately 30 days if you mailed it.

How long will my Texas Notary commission last?
Your Texas Notary commission lasts for four (4) years.

How much does it cost to become a Texas Notary?
The state filing fee is $21. The cost of your bond, seal and journal will vary based on the vendor you choose. Be sure to check the fine print and product quality before buying your supplies. Some vendors may package items with additional or hidden fees – processing fees for example.

New Notaries may need more assistance than experienced Notaries. Training courses, books and live expert assistance are often must-haves for new Notaries who are learning how to perform their duties.

At your service,

Laura

Gabby: Hi, I have to become a notary for my job. I will be taking the 6 hr class followed by the exam right after. Do you have any tips on what to maybe review before taking the class or maybe what you feel are important topic to focus on?

Laura: Gabby, it would helpful to know your state to give you more specific information. However, I can tell you that each state has a handbook put out by the governing agency which is usually the sec of state. Go their the website and download it to read before class. Don’t worry about what you do not understand yet. just get a feel for the important acts such as acknowledgment and jurat. If they have a newsletter as CA does on the website, read those. Tell me your state to see if I can share more.

Juan: Hello Laura, I am really interest in becoming a loan signing agent
And have a Few questions.
If I do this full time how many assignment is average per day, per week? And how much could I expect to make a year?
I am brand new to this but I believe I could be great at it
Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!!
P.s I am in Southern California

Laura: Some days I have no appointments and other I may have 4 or 5 which is likely the most you could handle since each may take 2-2.5 hrs. The amount of money you make in a year depends on how many assignments you handle, your fee for the assignments (which will vary by geographic area) and your cost to do them. Every NSA is different. I can say that Loan signings on their own is not a strong full time job as the Real Estate Market has volatility. Also consider general everyday documents with mobile service to supplement the NSA work. My tips include, Be Certified. And do not play the low price game! Taking work for less than you can make a profit will keep you busy in low paying work. Build relationships where you can, say with local title companies. These relationships may not produce work immediately, some of mine have taken years to get the first assignment. Be careful what you read on the social media forums. Know your state laws.