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What Is a Mobile Notary, and How Do I Become One?

by the American Association of Notaries

A mobile notary is any notary who, upon request, travels from location to location to perform notarial services. While a mobile notary may perform any type of notarial service prescribed by his or her state's statutory laws, it is more common that mobile notaries are called upon to perform various types of real estate or mortgage transactions. Hence, the mobile notaries who perform such services are often called notary signing agents or mortgage signing agents. They are distinguished from loan closers who, in most states, have more complex duties than a commissioned notary public.


These scheduled real estate transactions are ordered by lenders, title companies or mortgage notary signing agencies. In order to perform the assigned duties adequately, it is mandatory and prudent for the notary to undergo further training in addition to any training or studies that he or she received to learn the basic notary skills. Mortgage transactions and loan signings involve very specific types of documents that must be handled carefully and executed properly, so precise training in identifying loan documents and understanding the function of each is necessary.

Once training has been received in the execution of loan documents and the notary feels comfortable and confident that he understands and can explain the purpose of each type of loan document, then he should make himself known and available to the parties and institutions named above who will use his services. Marketing your new skills is an important part of becoming a mobile notary; you may wish to create your own personal website or construct business cards to promote yourself. As a mobile notary, you are now considered an "independent contractor," and while you may be "hired" by lenders and various agencies, you are responsible for paying your own taxes out of any compensation received.

There is minimal compensation for the day-to-day services that notaries provide as public officers; a mobile notary profession is a means of taking your notarial skills to a higher, more profitable level.

Marketing Mobile Notary

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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