There are multiple ways to get NSA work, Signing Agencies, direct from Title Companies, and referrals from previous Signers to start. We’ll explore some other options too, but let’s start here:
Signing Agencies (SA) – An SA, is a company that contracts with Title Companies to provide Notaries to conduct their Signings. SAs can be Local, Regional or National. In any case, they have contracted with any number of Notaries to conduct Signings for those Title Companies. SAs are just companies, like any other, they are looking to make money. They will charge the Title Company the going rate for that market and then offer the Notary a lower rate. The balance is intended to pay their overhead and provide a profit to the company.
Not all SAs are built the same. Rates offered to Notaries can range from 30% to 70% of the amount they charge. Good, bad, or otherwise, this is how they work. I will leave it up to you to read the blogs and forums to see what Notaries think of them and in some cases, think of specific ones. Remember, you always have the option to pass up a Signing or push back and ask for more money. The worst they can say is no. Be kind and respectful, but remember, they are paying for your time and your time is valuable.
To get work from an SA, you must register with them, create a profile, usually provide a picture and a short biography. You will also likely be asked to provide proof of E&O Insurance, a copy of your Background Check, proof you are a legit Notary and probably a W9. There is usually a contract involved as well. You should read it…you need to know what you are agreeing to. Then, you sit back and wait. Do not expect to be inundated with offers immediately, it takes time. It took over 2 months before I got my first Signing and about 3 weeks before I got my 2nd.
Advice: There are literally hundreds of SAs out there. You will want to register with as many as you can / want. Pay special attention to their service area as there is no reason to register with an SA that only works in a few counties in one state if you live in another. I am not going to give you a list of Signing Agencies. A quick Internet or blog / forum search will snag you loads of them.
It is important to note that there are some SAs that want to charge you a fee to join their band of merrimakers. I am not a fan of this set up. Early on, I tried a couple of these and never made my money back, even when the fee was only $30 ish per year. I am not going to tell you that all of those that charge are like that, this is just my experience.
Every SA is also different in how they push work out. Sometimes, their schedulers simply have their favorite Notaries and will reach out to them first and then work their list based on zip code or city, or some other factor after. Others will send out mass emails or text messages and it may or may not go to the first Notary who responds. If you are the 3rd to reply, but the scheduler knows you, likes you, trusts you, they may simply give it to you over the others. This process can be tricky because how quickly you get the text message or email can depend on your cell phone or email provider service or even strength of signal or maybe your phone is on silent or in the other room. Offers for Signings can also come via an app. You may have to keep the app active in order to receive a notice.
The offer should tell you what kind of Signing, Seller, Buyer, etc., and date and time or time range and usually the Zip Code. Some will provide a map or link to a map. If you are available, accept it. This does not mean that you will get the Signing. There have been times when I clicked “Accept” within 5 seconds of receiving an offer and received a response that it had already been assigned to another Notary. It happens. Don’t sweat it. Don’t waste energy getting mad or wondering what you can do differently or insisting to yourself that you will be faster next time, just move on and wait for the next opportunity.
Some offers give you an opportunity to accept, but you can add a caveat, perhaps you need more money or maybe 2 00 PM doesn’t work, but you can do it at 2 30 PM. Never be afraid to ask. All the SA can say is Yes or No – they cannot come to your home and take your cat.
Some SAs will call you or text you to let you know you have been assigned a Signing and will then email you the Confirmation. We’ll talk about what to do next further down…be patient.
Warning: Be careful of the “Signing Agency” that offers you “up to” so many Signings for a low (or not so low) monthly fee. Don’t do it. Signing Agencies get paid by the Title Companies and then keep a portion of that fee, they don’t need to be paid by you too. I made this mistake early on and paid $3 per month for one service and $4.99 per month for another. Between the 2, I spent $95.88 over the course of a year and received exactly 1 Signing – in 12 months. I was paid $75, I think. Not exactly a success, but I learned a lesson. That being said, if you don’t believe me or find yourself compelled to Sign up with them because their marketing is so strong or convincing, go for it. I am recommending against it, not telling you that you can’t do it.
Title Companies – Just like SAs, Title Companies have their own registration / application process.
It is important to know a couple of things at this point: 1) Every Title Company I have ever approached to do work with has a minimum 2-year requirement, meaning you must have 2 years of Notary experience before you can apply, some are more stringent, than others. I had one that would not accept my application at 1 year and 10 months. And that’s OK, these are their rules and we have to play by them and 2) Most SA contracts state that you cannot approach their clients (read that as Title Companies) for direct Signings. Be careful.
So, how do you get work from Title Companies? First, pay your dues. By which I mean, do the time. Put in your 2 years and get some experience under your belt. Title Companies want you to have experience, they want to know that you know what you are doing. You must walk through that door, knowing your job and knowing it well.
I see and read where some recommend that you put together little gift bags or bake cookies or brownies and walk into Title Companies cold and ask for their business. I beg of you – don’t do it. I am not going to tell you that it never works, but the odds are stacked against you. If you want an introduction, there are better ways: 1) you will have opportunities to develop relationships with a Realtor, don’t be afraid to ask them if they would be willing to introduce you to the last 2 or 3 Escrow Officers (Title Company people) they have worked with in person or by email. A personal introduction from someone that that Escrow Officer knows and has already worked with is a beautiful thing. Just like some SAs, some Title Company folks have their favorites, and they may or may not be looking to add to their list of Notaries. It never hurts to try. 2) Just do a really great job and when the opportunity presents itself, introduce yourself to the Escrow Officer – maybe when you deliver docs – don’t assume you will meet them, but you might get lucky. If you got the Signing through an SA and deliver documents to the Title Company, don’t ask for future work, but a well placed “I’d love to do some work for you again” or something like that is a good start. If they ask for a Business Card, give them one. “I hope to hear from you soon.” Give your best ‘700 Club’ smile and hope your breath doesn’t smell bad.
Escrow Officers or their staff will call or text or Email and offer you a Signing. Accept it if you can. Once you have the Signing, what next? Hang on, we are almost there…
Referrals from Previous Signers – these are the best. These don’t happen as often as I would like, but I do have repeat Signers and I love ‘em. Also, I have had Signers ask if there is somewhere, like Yelp where they can write a review of me. I always recommend they reach out to their Escrow Officer and let them know about their experience with me. And of course, be very thankful. I have had Escrow Officers reach out to me for a Signing because of a Signer review and even a Lender who came up to me and asked if I was ‘that’ Notary. Turns out I had conducted a Signing for one of her customers and they gushed about me to her – she remembered me. This comes back to always do your best.
Other Ways to Get Work
Networking groups – Notaries are generally considered a Unicorn in the Networking set. For some reason, Notaries just don’t join Networking Groups. I kinda get it, it’s not a natural fit, but I have had some success in Networking groups. I met a Developer who was looking for 1 Notary to conduct all their closings; in an effort to have some amount of control over the entire process from touring the show house to signing on the bottom line. They want to be well represented. I now conduct all their closings in N Texas – within a reasonable distance. They insisted that in return, I be a member of their Networking Group. I joined right away. I have gotten some work, met some amazing people and am growing my circle of professional friends to whom I can refer and be referred. This is also where I met that Lender – thank you Amy.
Not all Networking Groups are built the same. Some are primarily Referral focused (regardless of the value of the referral), some are overly expensive, and some are cult-like. If you decide to join a Networking Group, take your time, visit multiple times if you can or are allowed and don’t be afraid to walk away if it doesn’t feel right to you. The right group is out there and if it is not, consider starting your own. Power to the Notaries.
Builders – Some Builders will hire outside Notaries at the end of their month to help them close as many deals as they can. This is usually, a ‘you gotta know someone’ kinda thing, but there is work to be had. This is where knowing other Notaries can come in handy. The Notary friend got a line on such a gig and recommended me when the opportunity presented itself and I did work for them 5 or 6 times last year and almost every single month this year. They pay a set fee for you to come out for the day. I have had days where I completed 2 Signings and others where I completed 6…all for the same flat fee. This is good and bad.
The good side: I got work. The bad side: I passed up opportunities to get Signings through SAs and Title Companies. That work may not have panned out, but there were opportunities.
If presented with this kind of work as an option, consider it. Maybe even try it once or twice…I happen to like it. I adore all of the folks – employees and other Notaries – I get to work with and we have a good time. And while I am waiting for Signings, I have my laptop out and am working on other things.
Regular Notary work – Don’t forget that you can do ‘Regular’ Notary work. If the opportunity presents itself, offer your services at your place of worship, your children’s school, the Public Library, Senior Center, Assisted Living or Retirement home(s). If the opportunity doesn’t present itself, just walk in and introduce yourself. This is one way in which I believe in the cold call. Remember, you are an Officer of your State. You are a Public Notary and should make your Notary services available to the public. I am not suggesting you provide services for free, but this is one more way to get your name out there.
Non – Notary Work – Because you are a Notary, beyond traditional Notary work, you can be trusted to do Photo Inspections for homes or businesses, deliver Subpoenas, conduct onboarding interviews for attorneys who may be out of state, complete I9s for a company and any number of other things, beyond getting paid for your signature. Always keep your eyes open for opportunities, though admittedly, most of these kinds of opportunities will come looking for you.
Being a Notary can open a variety of doors. You simply have to be open yourself – or at least in the right place at the right time. Oh, and being lucky helps. I have gotten so much work (outside of Notary work) because I was lucky or maybe just in the right place at the right time. Either way, I will take it.
TX Notary Guy 
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