How to Advertise Your Notary Services
A notary public is a state officer commissioned by his or her state of residence to serve the public as an unbiased, impartial witness. More than likely, if you are a commissioned notary, you have undergone some kind of training or classes to become a knowledgeable expert in how to perform your notarial duties.
For most, there has been an application process and fee paid, and, in some cases, there is an exam to pass. Now that you've invested such time and effort into beginning your notary career, you may wish to advertise your notarial services so that the public will know how and where to find you and have an awareness of the services that you can offer. The easiest and most convenient way to do this is through establishing an online presence by creating your own personal notary website.
Your notary website can be just as simple or elaborate as you wish to make it, but it should contain some basic elements. Since all notary services must be performed on a face-to-face basis, the public will need to know exactly where your business is located and how they can contact you, whether via phone or email. You may wish to add a link to a map service like MapQuest or Google Maps so clients can find you easily. Indicate if "walk-ins" are accepted or if your services are, "by appointment only." When marketing your business, the most important information for your potential clients to know is the type of services you offer, so you will want to list these prominently on your website. You may want to indicate that you offer all basic notary services and then make a list of items using words that the general public may understand, such as powers of attorney or real estate transactions and depositions.
Your clients will need to know your hours of operation (i.e. when your services are available). Be sure to indicate a time frame that you can live with on a daily basis. If you are operating out of your home, you may wish to indicate hours that may not interfere with the activities of other family members. If you are a notary who provides mobile notary services, you should indicate on your website the areas or counties to which you are willing to travel; this is known as your coverage area. Again, make sure you only include areas you are willing to travel to; you want to be sure your clients know exactly what they can expect from you. Notary fees are prescribed by the statutes of each state, so you will want to indicate the flat notary fee for each of the basic notary services. Notaries should clearly state additional fees for mobile services; perhaps listing a specific price for a range of miles. If you provide photocopies, indicate a price per each page copied. It is also important to state how you are willing to receive payment: cash only, checks, PayPal, or credit/debit cards.
Surprisingly, there are many neighborhoods throughout the country that do not have a great many accessible notaries; you will provide a vital and convenient service to your community by advertising your notarial services and making your location and availability known.
Legal Disclaimer: The American Association of Notaries seeks to provide timely articles for notaries to assist them with information for managing their notary businesses, enhancing their notary education, and securing their notary stamp and notary supplies. Every effort is made to provide accurate and complete information in the American Association of Notaries newsletters. However, we make no warrant, expressed or implied, and we do not represent, undertake, or guarantee that the information in the newsletter is correct, accurate, complete, or non-misleading. Information in this article is not intended as legal advice. We are not attorneys. We do not pretend to be attorneys. Though we will sometimes provide information regarding notaries' best practices, federal laws and statutes, and the laws and statutes of each state, we have gathered this information from a variety of sources and do not warrant its accuracy. In no event shall the American Association of Notaries, its employees, or contractors be liable to you for any claims, penalties, loss, damage, or expenses, howsoever arising, including, and without limitation, direct or indirect loss or consequential loss out of or in connection with the use of the information contained in the American Association of Notaries newsletters. It is your responsibility to know the appropriate notary laws governing your state. Notaries are advised to seek the advice of their states' notary authorities or attorneys in their state if they have legal questions. If a section of this disclaimer is determined by any court or other competent authority to be unlawful and/or unenforceable, the other sections of this disclaimer continue in effect.
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Notary bonds and errors and omissions insurance policies provided by this insurance agency, American Association of Notaries, Inc., are underwritten by Western Surety Company, Universal Surety of America, or Surety Bonding Company of America, which are subsidiaries of CNA Surety.