Former Notary Public

[Black Bart]

I've decided that I'm no longer going to notarize papers for the general public. I'm renewing the commission, but will put it up somewhere and use it only for a few friends and my own necessary transactions.

The ten-year Arkansas renewal is only $78 total, but it's just too much risk and trouble involved for no more than our maximum fee of five bucks (could be worse; according to this '07 link, it's $1.50 in Alabama {poor Harlan}).

https://www.punny.org/money/maximum-notary-fees-by-state

The author complains he was "ripped off" by a notary charging $4 instead of Maryland's allowable $2 and is apparently unaware you can't buy two cokes for $2, much less run a business on such fees (wonder if this jerk would think $2 is a fair price for his work?).

About 1/3 bring previously signed documents and say "It's okay -- I saw him sign it". One memorable incident comes to mind: Client brought me a blank paper someone else had already signed and, upset when I wouldn't stamp it, said "Listen, this guy's hard to get ahold of. I had to run all over the country finding him to get this thing signed. I already did the hard part -- all you have to do is fill in the blanks." And so it goes...

[BOB W]

Many years ago I had mine.... After 2 years of minimal use gave it up when some one pested me to do some crazy things. I finally told him I don't do notary work anymore. I never did what he asked. Just not worth being a notary................

[JohnH]

I agree with both of you. Had my notary seal for 20 years or more and enjoyed helping friends & clients - I never charged anyone to notarize a document. Then I began to get these really weird requests and even had a couple of people get in a snit about it when I said "no".

The other thing that put me over the edge was when I entered the wrong expiration date on a document I notarized, which just happened to be someone else's application to become a notary. My Sec of State sent me several nasty letters chastizing me for negligence and threatening to send me to remedial school (or was it prison - can't remember which). They even wanted me to fill out a sily little "test" which I had to have notarized and return to them.

So when it came time for renweal, I just tossed it all in the garbage.

[taxjungle]

Notary

I used to be a Notary also, but didn't renew. The reason is I received very few requests for it, so therefore was not worth the expense. Another reason is most banks, etc, have a Notary in staff that does not charge a fee if you are a customer. So, didn't see a real need for it. It's a good thing that we have Notaries among us though.

[erchess]

Notary

When I was taking my first course prior to going into this business, I was thinking I would become a notary but I found out that I couldn't notarize my own or my clients' signatures for IRS purposes. Furthermore I can't recall ever having a client who needed something notarized for tax purposes.

[Burke]

So when it came time for renweal, I just tossed it all in the garbage.

At least your state notifies you. Mine doesn't. You have to remember when the blasted thing runs out. Just renewed for 4 years. That will be my last. Plus new seal to meet new requirements, spent darn near $100 for the whole process. At least we can charge $5. But I never have.

[Peachie]

My country notifies me when

my notary's up for renewal. It cost $15 in the past. I notarized a statement for a client this year and charged nothing. It's nice to have just in case. My commission expires in May, I am going to renew. Only my client's know I'm a notary now that I don't have my fulltime job. I did all of the notarizing at that job--charged $2.50 for the service.

[geekgirldany]

I let mine go a couple of years ago. To many people popping in wanting things notarized without the other person present. They were kinda peeved when I let it go. I told them to go to Kroger or UPS office they both offer it.

Also they moved the office here for the renewal. Wasn't very easy to get to. Put it in the basement of the courthouse. So I figure it wasn't worth the hassle

[oceanlovin'ea]

have mine

I still have mine, but don't notarize very often. My daughter needs things notarized for school functions and I can't notarize her signature. So that is very aggravating.

Only notarize for clients or friends and don't charge for it either. Wondered about being mobile notary. they seem to make some money at it.

Linda

[lenboush]

I still have mine, but don't notarize very often. My daughter needs things notarized for school functions and I can't notarize her signature. So that is very aggravating.

Only notarize for clients or friends and don't charge for it either. Wondered about being mobile notary. they seem to make some money at it.

Linda

I had been a otary for over 20 years, was a mobile notary for a several years, and meade a reasonable amount of money; nothing big but some nice extra for between tax seasons.

Then the National Natary Association started promoting the mobile notary business as a business opportunity and the market became flooded with novice mobile notaries. This created an over supply of notaries out to make a quick buck which, inturn, drove the fees down. In additional to driving the fees down, these new inexperienced notaries made so many errors that the mortgage companies started increasing various requirements to the point that the process ended up taking much longer than before. With the increased work load and the lower fees, I finally decided to wasn't worth the hassle and got out of the business.

[geekgirldany]

I saw an out of town plate on a car the other day. She had signs on her car that said she was a mobile notary. I had never seen that before.