California 6 Hour Notary Public Course

Many lucrative professions require an extensive time in the classroom and leave you with years of student loans to payoff. To become a notary in the state of California, applicants are only required to be 18 years old, a California resident and able to pass a background check. All applicants are required to take an approved 6 hour notary course and pass a simple 45 question multiple choice exam proctored by the state. 

While Notaries are appointed by their states and serve as public officials, they are not state employees; meaning all revenue from serves performed are theirs to keep. Most states regulate how much a Notary can charge per signature for an individual notarization, but most clients often need more than one signature notarized during a signing appointment. Notaries are also allowed to charge additional fees for items such as travel, supplies and other expenses.

Notaries are in high demand in a variety of industries, including banking, finance, medical, legal, government, insurance, technology … the list goes on. In fact, just about every industry uses the services of Notaries, so becoming one will add to your marketable skill sets, improve your resume and increase your value as an employee. In the workplace, Notaries serve two general functions: Notarizing documents in the back office for co-workers and bosses or notarizing for customers in a bank or their local photocopy and shipping shop. Many employers value employees with Notary skills to handle their document authentication needs and provide customers with top-notch service.

Some notaries work for an employer, however, notaries also have the ability to work independently. If you choose to work for yourself as a notary public, you are in complete control of your schedule and clientele. Working independently is perfect for people that either want to fit as many clients into their days as possible but also ideal for those performing notarization as an additional source of income and can easily arrange clients around their current schedule. 

In order to become a Signing Agent in the State of California, you must first be commissioned as a Notary Public by the Secretary of State. A Loan Signing Agent is a trained and certified professional that handles the notarization of loan documents in real estate closings. For the mortgage finance industry, LSAs serve as the critical final link between the banks and the borrower to complete the loan. They are hired directly by title companies and signing services as independent contractors to ensure that real estate loan documents are signed by the borrower, notarized, and returned for processing. Notaries make a considerable amount of extra income from this line of mortgage finance work, in addition to their work as a notary.

If you are the type of person who enjoys giving back to your community, being a Notary is a great way to support that passion. Many types of people need notarization services but cannot afford them, like the elderly, homeless, disabled and college students. These groups typically need notarizations for powers of attorney, residency affidavits, advance medical directives, college transcripts and enrollment verifications. Notaries often hold events at community centers, retirement homes and campuses to provide free or low-cost notarizations. It's also a great way to network and market yourself for paying clients.