Atlanta notaries

[Jacquie Smith-Carroll]

I have been a notary for more than twenty years and since arriving in Atlanta, GA several months ago, I became a notary here. I can not believe the small amount I can charge for a notarization. In fact I see that most banks do notarizations for their clients for free. The only way to make any kind of money here seems to be by connecting with an attorneys office, and even then they not only seem to already have someone on staff but they make all the money what the notary receives is minimal. Does anyone else in Georgia know how to many any money notarizing?

[Lee/ARK]

As GA is an attorney-only state for loan signings... no, can't think of a thing that would be worth the effort.

[Jacquie Smith-Carroll]

Hi Lee/ARK,

Thanks for the information. I guess if I can not hook up with an attorney I am wasting my time.
I appreciate you!
Jacquie

[Don Gill]

I have a listing in my local yellow pages phone book and get calls all the time but not enough to make a living at. I make more than enough to cover the cost of the listing and it opens up the door to offer them my other services, insurance, dental plans, etc. It works very well for me.

Don Gill
856-384-0440

[Jacquie Smith-Carroll]

Thanks Don,

It's good to know someone is making it happen as a notary in GA.
What does a yellow pages listing cost?

Fortunately, I also have other irons in the fire. I introduce people to discounted health care
and health maintenance products.

Jacquie

[Jay DeLatyree]

Hi Jackie,

Perhaps because I started signings in another state & relocated here, I must still be on a the "preferred" notary agent list of a few notary signing companies across the country, and recently I've been doing signings for refi loan applications and then if lucky, I get called back to do the closing several wks later. I get 2-3 signing jobs usually a week on a good week, and I make sure to ask for more $$$ for out of my service mileage radius.There is no gang buster work here in signings, so like another respondent said...you need to have several gigs in GA in order to maintain an income along with your notary work.

Through trial and error, I've also found that signing companies are like any other company that uses contractors...out of site, out of mind. Whatever companies you've worked with or currently work with, find the contact name of their main acct person and make sure you send a brochure of svcs and a letter along with your biz card several to 3 times a yr, to let them know you are the "best signing agent in Dodge" and that you look forward to working with them on their next signing! Hey for the cost of a stamp, hey you get the idea...

Best of luck...
JAY

[Lucia Hasbun]

I'm not in Atlanta, but have you thought about charging a travel fee. I know it's not much, but at least it's a little more added. That is what I am doing when I just do standard notarizations. We charge no more than $6.00 here in TX and without a travel fee, it would be worthless. I charge $0.55/mile RT. Hope this helps.

[Tim Gatewood]

Lucia,

I agree. I pick up money just about every month for trip fees. I charge $30.00 for my trip and notarizing up to 5 documents; this is for anywhere in Shelby County, TN. You may find that a trip fee is the only way to make it worth doing. I get calls all the time because my listing is first on google (under Memphis Notary) - refer most of them to businesses in their area where they can be helped. Very few of them want to pay a trip fee or drive across town to my home office; those that do are golden.

[Tim Gatewood]

I was under the impression that GA was an attorney-only state for real estate closings. This would mean you are not allowed to do any NSA work there unless you are an attorney. Have you received info otherwise? If not, you may be subjecting yourself to the possibility of charges of the unauthorized practice of law for doing NSA work in GA.