One state says can't notarize with web cam

One company told Oklahoma consumers they could get around the notary's requirement of personal appearance. Use a web cam! Wrong, says that state's Attorney General.

A bill to allow District of Columbia notaries to perform weddings at places other than the courthouse shows no signs of coming out of a 9 month stall.


---Practice exams for the California notary public test

Image courtesy of renjith krishnan

Don't commit fraud in front of other people. Just a tip.

Reportedly an office manager in Florida allegedly signs the owner's name to documents (as well as other employees' names.) She then notarizes them. If I were doing this, I wouldn't let employees see me--one of whom asked about the practice on the web.

A notary asks should clients sign a contract? Generally no. The money involved is usually small. Putting up any roadblocks will just make the customer move to the next notary public.

One exception might be if your state allows you to do weddings. If you're doing more than solemnizing the vows, you may want a contract to spell out what.

---12 Tips to Make More Money as a Notary Public
Available for just 99 cents from Kindle or Nook or instant PDF download
Probably tax deductible as business expense--ask your accountant.

Image courtesy of Ambro

New York weddings?

This New York yacht club says their wedding package includes a notary public or judge to perform the ceremony.

This was a surprise because New York law says "A notary public has no authority to solemnize marriages..." (emphasis mine).


Image courtesy of Sharron Goodyear

$10 a signature -- can you make money doing this?

Notaries in California are limited in what they can charge--usually $10 a signature.

Can you multiply that? Gabriel Ortiz in 12 Tips to Make More Money as a Notary Public says absolutely.

He reports there are 3 steps:

1. Become a better notary--provide more service
   
2. Don't spend more money in the business than you have to.
   
3. Use your commission to branch out into watching people sign mortgage loan documents, celebrating weddings and proctoring traffic school exams.

Gabriel spent 9 years working with notaries in the mortgage business. One of his friends (during the refinancing boom) made $50,000 one year leveraging these tips.

At 99 cents, this is a must have item. (Check with your accountant to see if this purchase is tax deductible as a business expense.)

Available on Kindle ... Nook ... Instant PDF download: