You may think of a notary public as someone you visit at a local bank or shipping store when you need to sign a mortgage document. However, the digital landscape has transformed this traditional role into a flexible, technology-driven opportunity. A remote online notary (RON) performs the same legal duties as a traditional notary but does so via secure video technology. This evolution allows you to verify identities and witness signatures from your home office, serving clients across the street or across the country.

This educational guide provides general information for U.S. residents learning about the remote notary profession. The strategies and concepts discussed here are for educational purposes and may not apply to your specific situation. Everyone’s financial circumstances are unique—factors like income, debt levels, family situation, tax bracket, and financial goals all affect which approaches might work best. For personalized advice tailored to your situation, we recommend consulting with a qualified financial professional such as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or CPA.

Key Takeaways

• Legality: Over 40 states have passed permanent laws allowing remote online notarization, making it a legitimate side hustle for professionals.
• Recession-Proof Nature: Legal, real estate, and financial documents require notarization regardless of the economic climate.
• Technology Requirements: You need more than just a webcam; specialized digital certificates and RON platforms are mandatory for compliance.
• Dual Roles: Many remote notaries maximize their income by becoming Notary Signing Agents (NSAs), specifically focusing on mortgage loan packages.
• Costs vs. Rewards: While initial startup costs range from $500 to $1,000, the ability to work from home offers significant savings on gas and travel time.

Understanding Remote Online Notarization

A notary public serves as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents. Their primary goal is to prevent fraud by verifying the identity of the signer and ensuring the signer understands the document. Remote Online Notarization (RON) takes this process into the digital age. Unlike “Electronic Notarization,” where you meet a person in the same room and they sign on a tablet, RON allows you and the signer to be in completely different locations.

To facilitate this, you use a secure audio-video platform that records the entire session. The identity verification process for RON is often more rigorous than in-person meetings. You use “Identity Proofing” and “Credential Analysis,” where the signer’s ID is scanned and verified by software, and they must answer “knowledge-based authentication” (KBA) questions—those tricky questions about your previous addresses or car models that only you should know.

According to the Federal Reserve’s 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, many Americans are turning to side hustles to bolster their household income. Becoming a remote notary offers a professional path that utilizes your existing attention to detail and organizational skills. It is a side hustle for professionals who want to leverage a state-issued commission into a legitimate business.

Why Remote Notary is a Recession-Proof Side Gig

Many side hustles, like ride-sharing or selling handmade crafts, depend heavily on discretionary spending. When the economy slows down, people spend less on luxuries. However, the need for notarized documents remains steady. Legal proceedings, healthcare directives, and powers of attorney do not stop during an economic downturn. Furthermore, while the housing market may fluctuate, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) notes that mortgage refinancing and loan modifications often increase when interest rates shift or when homeowners need to access equity—all of which require notarization.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that jobs involving legal and administrative support maintain a baseline level of demand even during market volatility. As a remote notary, you aren’t tied to a single local economy. If your local town is experiencing a slump, you can still perform notarizations for clients in any state where your home state’s commission is recognized for remote work.

The “recession-proof” nature of this work also stems from the shift toward digital-first business. Companies are eager to save money on courier fees and paper. By offering remote services, you help businesses cut costs, making your role an essential part of the modern corporate workflow.

State Requirements and the Legal Landscape

Your journey begins at the state level. In the United States, notaries are commissioned by their state government, usually through the Secretary of State’s office. You must first hold a traditional notary commission before you can apply for the remote authorization. While most states now allow RON, each has its own specific rules.

For example, Virginia was the first state to authorize RON in 2011, setting a high bar for technology standards. Other states, like Texas and Florida, have followed with robust frameworks. Generally, you must meet the following baseline requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must be a legal resident of the state where you are applying.
• You must not have any felony convictions on your record.
• You must be able to read and write in English.

It is crucial to verify your state’s current laws. Some states require a specific RON training course and an exam, while others simply require you to notify the Secretary of State of which RON platform you intend to use. Always check your state’s official government website for the most accurate and up-to-date requirements.

Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Remote Notary

Transitioning into this role requires a methodical approach. You cannot simply buy a webcam and start charging fees; you must follow a legal process to ensure your notarizations are valid and enforceable.

1. Secure a Traditional Commission: Apply to be a traditional notary public in your state. This usually involves an application fee, a background check, and a surety bond.
2. Complete State-Specific Education: Many states require a three- to six-hour course specifically covering remote notarization laws and identity proofing technology.
3. Pass the RON Exam: pass an exam that tests your knowledge of electronic signatures, digital seals, and the specific security protocols required by your state.
4. Select a RON Platform: You must choose a platform (such as Notarize, Notary.io, or PAVA) that complies with your state’s security standards. Some states require you to list this platform on your application.
5. Purchase an E-Seal and Digital Certificate: Unlike a physical rubber stamp, you will use a digital seal. You also need an X.509 digital certificate from a trusted provider like IdenTrust or DigiCert. This certificate acts as a digital “tamper-evident” seal for your documents.
6. Obtain E&O Insurance: While a surety bond protects the public from your mistakes, Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance protects you. Most remote notaries carry at least $25,000 to $100,000 in coverage.
7. Submit Your RON Application: File your supplemental application with your Secretary of State and pay the required fees.

“The single most important factor in getting rich is getting started, not being the smartest person in the room.” — Ramit Sethi, Author of “I Will Teach You To Be Rich”

Essential Equipment and RON Technology

To operate successfully as a remote online notary, your “office” must meet high technical standards. The security of the document and the clarity of the audio-video feed are legal requirements, not just suggestions.

You will need a reliable computer with a high-speed internet connection. A “wired” connection via Ethernet is often superior to Wi-Fi, as it prevents the call from dropping during a critical identity verification step. A high-definition webcam (1080p) and a clear microphone are essential so that you can see the signer’s ID clearly and hear their verbal affirmations without distortion.

Many successful remote notaries use a dual-monitor setup. This allows you to have the document open on one screen while the video feed and identity verification results stay visible on the other. This prevents you from constantly toggling between windows, which can lead to errors. Additionally, you will need a digital journal. Most RON platforms include an electronic journal that automatically logs the time, date, and type of notarization, as well as a recording of the video session. These records must often be kept for five to ten years, depending on state law.

Estimating Startup Costs and Income Potential

Understanding the financial commitment is vital for any side hustle. While being a notary is relatively low-cost compared to starting a retail business, there are unavoidable “entry fees.” According to IRS Publication 535 regarding business expenses, many of these startup costs may be tax-deductible, but you should keep meticulous records.

Your income depends on how you choose to work. General Notary Work (GNW) involves notarizing single documents like affidavits or travel consents. States often cap the fee you can charge per “stamp” (e.g., $10 or $25), but you can often charge an additional technology fee for RON. However, the real money is often in becoming a Notary Signing Agent (NSA). NSAs handle loan closing packages, which can include 100+ pages and multiple notarizations. A single remote loan signing can pay between $75 and $200 and usually takes 45 to 90 minutes.

“The most important investment you can make is in yourself.” — Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

How to Find Work and Market Your Services

Once you are commissioned and equipped, you need clients. There are three primary ways to find work as a remote notary:

1. Join On-Demand Platforms: Companies like Notarize or OneNotary act as marketplaces. They handle the marketing and provide the platform; you simply sign on and take calls from people needing notarizations. While this is the easiest way to start, the platform takes a significant cut of your fee. You might only earn $5–$15 per notarization on these platforms.

2. Register with Signing Services: If you are a Notary Signing Agent, you can register with hundreds of signing services that act as middlemen for mortgage companies and title agencies. These services send you text or email alerts for available “closings.” This is a great way to find high-volume work without doing your own marketing.

3. Direct Marketing: This is the most profitable but most difficult path. You build relationships with local title companies, estate planning attorneys, and high-volume businesses. By using your own RON platform and charging them directly, you keep 100% of the fee. To succeed here, you need a professional website and a strong LinkedIn presence.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides excellent resources for new small business owners on how to market services truthfully and protect consumer privacy—a critical skill for a notary handling sensitive identification data.

Common Pitfalls and Limitations

While becoming a remote notary is an empowering way to build wealth, it is not without risks. You are an officer of the state, and your mistakes have legal consequences. One common pitfall is failing to keep an accurate journal. If a document you notarized is ever challenged in court—perhaps in a contested will or a fraudulent real estate deal—your journal and video recording are your primary defense. If they are missing or incomplete, you could be held liable.

Another risk is the fluctuating nature of the work. Mortgage-related signings are highly sensitive to interest rate changes. When rates rise, refinancing drops, and your volume of loan signings will decrease. To mitigate this, you should diversify your services to include general notary work for law firms and hospitals.

Finally, technology failures can derail your business. If your internet goes out or your computer crashes mid-session, you cannot complete the notarization. This leads to frustrated clients and lost income. Always have a backup plan, such as a mobile hotspot or a secondary device, to ensure you can finish your duties professionally.

When to Consult a Financial Professional

While becoming a notary is a straightforward process for many, certain situations require expert guidance to protect your financial health:

• Tax Planning: As an independent contractor, you are responsible for paying self-employment taxes. A CPA can help you set up quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid penalties from the IRS.
• Business Structure: You may need to decide whether to operate as a sole proprietor or form an LLC. A legal professional or a business advisor can help you weigh the liability protection versus the administrative costs.
• High-Liability Signings: If you are asked to notarize complex corporate documents or high-value estate papers, you might want to consult an attorney to ensure you aren’t inadvertently overstepping your role as a notary.
• Retirement Planning: If your side hustle becomes a significant part of your income, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can help you integrate that income into a SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k).

You can find qualified professionals through the CFP Board or the National Foundation for Credit Counseling if you need help managing startup debt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be a remote notary for clients in other states?

Generally, yes. As long as you are physically located in the state where you are commissioned at the time of the notarization, you can notarize documents for signers located anywhere—even internationally—provided your state’s laws allow it and the document is intended for use in the U.S.

How much can I realistically earn as a side hustle?

Most part-time remote notaries earn between $500 and $2,000 per month. Those who specialize as Notary Signing Agents and take several loan signings a week tend to be at the higher end of that range. Your income depends entirely on your availability and marketing efforts.

What are the biggest risks or limitations?

The biggest risk is legal liability for fraud or negligence. If you fail to properly verify a signer’s identity and they commit forgery, you could be sued or lose your commission. Limitations include the initial cost of technology and the fact that you cannot notarize your own signature or documents for close relatives in most states.

Do I need a special computer for RON?

You don’t need a supercomputer, but you do need a reliable one with a modern operating system (Windows 10+ or macOS). Most RON platforms do not allow notarizations to be performed on a smartphone or tablet because they require specific security features found only on desktop browsers.

When should I consult a professional about this?

You should consult a tax professional once you start earning income to manage your tax obligations. You should also consult a legal professional if you are unsure about the specific liability laws in your state or if you are forming a formal business entity like an LLC.

How long does the process take?

Becoming a traditional notary usually takes 4 to 8 weeks, depending on your state’s processing time. Adding the remote online notary authorization typically adds another 2 to 4 weeks. Overall, expect a 2- to 3-month timeline from application to your first signing.

Is the RON platform fee a one-time cost?

No. Most RON platforms charge a monthly subscription fee (ranging from $20 to $60) or a per-transaction fee. This is a recurring business expense you must factor into your profitability calculations.

Last updated: January 2026. Information accurate as of publication date. Financial regulations, rates, and programs change frequently—verify current details with official sources.

This article was reviewed for accuracy by our editorial team.

For trusted financial guidance, visit
Certified Financial Planner Board,
National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) and
NerdWallet.

Educational Content Notice: This article provides general financial education and information only. It is not personalized financial, tax, investment, or legal advice. Your financial situation is unique—what works for others may not work for you. Before making significant financial decisions, consider consulting with a qualified professional such as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), CPA, or licensed financial advisor.

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