Understanding Mobile Notaries: What They Do and Who They Help

June 18, 2025 / Written by Staff Writer

A traveling notary public is a commissioned notary who travels by car, van or bicycle to office, home, coffee shop, hospital room, or remote location (if you meet your state’s requirements)  — wherever a signer needs an official seal on important legal documents.

Instead of asking clients to adjust their schedule or drive to a fixed office, the notary drives to them, verifies identity from government-issued ID, witnesses each signing, completes the notarization in a numbered journal and records every act. 

This mobile service can be offered online as a remote notarial session or in person, and you can rely on this service when you need urgent document signings without leaving your home.

The convenience is the difference between on-time service and costly delays, and the result is legal certainty for borrowers, signing agents, and anyone who needs notarization. For borrowers and signing agents who need flexible hours, a traveling notary is an ideal solution.

What Are the Duties for This Role?

Traveling notaries perform every duty a traditional notary handles, plus the logistics of getting to you on time. They are the service professionals who become your remote liaison for notarization needs.

  • Inspect government-issued ID and confirm a signer’s willingness to execute documents. In most states, verifying who the signer is and how they present their ID is critical.
  • Watch each signature and apply a state-approved notary stamp as required by the state regulations and online remote requirements.
  • Complete an accurate journal entry and ensure that all entries are logged for the state, which can show who signed what and when.
  • Collect the appropriate notary fees and furnish a receipt, which is a service of trust and clarity between the agent and you.
  • Return documents or scan them for overnight delivery when lenders request it, so you don’t have to chase the originals or drive back by courier.

Because the notary meets clients in person, this service is popular for real-estate packages, power-of-attorney forms, wills, and high-value contracts. It’s what clients want because they need notarization in remote places and flexible hours — what you expect from a modern mobile agent in any state.

What’s the Difference Between a Mobile Notary and a Notary Public?

Every traveling notary is a notary public — but with one key difference: mobility.

A notary public usually works from a fixed office or bank branch. They charge a state-regulated fee for each notarial act and typically operate during normal business hours. They work with basic supplies and may not be available outside that schedule.

A mobile notary, on the other hand, travels to meet clients wherever they are — whether that’s at home, work, or a public space. They charge the same notary fee plus a travel fee agreed in advance. Many mobile notaries offer flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, and they often carry helpful tools like a portable printer, scanner, and extra journals.

In short: A mobile notary provides the same trusted service — but adds convenience by coming to you, on your schedule.

How Much Does This Role Make?

Clients pay two types of charges:

  • Statutory notarization fee – capped by each state. See the full schedule in our guide on notary fees.
  • Travel fee – negotiated in advance. States such as Connecticut, Nevada, and Virginia set maximums. Other states let the notary set a fair rate for mileage or drive time.

Because travel adds value, income can grow quickly. A single loan signing appointment often pays $75-$200, especially when you’re also certified for notary signing services. 

Exact earnings vary by market, time of day, and the complexity of the file, but mastering mobile work is the fastest answer to “how much does a mobile notary make?”

Setting Transparent Travel Fees

Price clarity protects your reputation and keeps regulators happy.

  1. Separate travel from notarization fees. List mileage or flat-rate charges on your invoice.
  2. Disclose rates in advance. Many states, including Michigan and Georgia, require a printed fee schedule.
  3. Use the IRS mileage rate or your state’s maximum as a baseline.
  4. Post your full schedule online so clients never feel surprised.

Why Become a Mobile Notary?

  • Flexibility. Set your own calendar and accept evening or weekend work.
  • Low start-up cost. Commission, supplies, and training usually run under $300.
  • Scalable income. Combine mobile appointments with high-pay signing agent closings and RON sessions.
  • Community impact. You help neighbors finalize life-changing transactions without travel stress.

If you already hold a commission, adding mobility is as simple as printing a fee schedule and advertising your radius.

How to Become a Mobile Notary (5 Simple Steps)

Many readers ask how to become a mobile notary. The process is straightforward and the exact same as becoming a regular notary public:

  1. Meet your state’s eligibility rules. Each state sets age, residency, and background criteria.
  2. Complete a state-approved education course (required in FL, MO, PA, and others). See our course library for on-demand training.
  3. File your notary application and bond. 
  4. Purchase your tools. You need a seal, record book, and reliable supplies — visit our online supplies store to order in one cart.
  5. Market your mobile notary services. List hours, travel radius, and fee schedule online so clients can book quickly.

Unique Notary Requirements in Top-Population States

New York, Texas, and California are among the states with the largest populations and diverse business and legal activities — such as considerable real estate activity — making them significant hubs for notarial work. Below are the specific steps and unique state requirements to becoming a notary in each of these states.

New York applicants must be 18+ and a resident or have an office in NY. Then, pass the state notary exam (unless an attorney or court clerk), complete and notarize an Oath of Office, apply online with a NY.gov ID, pay the $60 fee, and keep a journal of notarial acts.

In Texas, you must be 18+, a Texas resident, with no felony or crime involving moral turpitude. Next, complete an application through a bonding agency, purchase a bond and stamp, have your commission certificate notarized by another notary and maintain a journal.

California requires applicants to be 18+ and legal residents. Then, finish a six-hour SOS-approved education course, pass the written exam, complete fingerprint-based background checks, receive a commission packet, obtain your seal, bond, and journal, and file your oath and bond with the county clerk within 30 days of commission.

Did You Know: How to Become a Notary Public in Florida

To become a Florida notary, meet state requirements (18+, resident, no felony), secure a $7,500 surety bond via a bonding agency, complete a three-hour education course, submit your application through the agency, and receive your stamped commission and all supplies.

Services a Mobile Notary Can Offer

Adding high-demand services multiplies income:

  • Loan-closing packages. Become a signing agent and guide borrowers through mortgages.
  • Remote Online Notarization (RON). Certain states allow notaries to handle e-signatures for clients nationwide — details here.
  • Specialty documents. Offer witness services for wills, affidavits, or real-estate deeds with help from our guides on notarizing a will and notarizing an affidavit.
  • Document courier. Pick up and deliver originals to the county clerk or overnight carrier for an extra fee.

Tools You Need in the Field

A professional mobile notary keeps a compact kit:

  • State-compliant notary stamp – choose the right format here.
  • Seal embosser (some clients request both ink and emboss).
  • Tamper-evident envelopes and FedEx/UPS mailers.
  • Portable laser printer and spare toner for last-minute document updates.
  • Numbered notary journal plus spare pens for signers.
  • E&O policy — compare coverage levels in our guide to errors and omissions insurance.

Pack once; stay ready for any legal documents a client hands you.

Book Your First Notary Appointment — We’ll Help

Mobile work unlocks higher earnings and happier customers, but only if you have the right knowledge. Our state-approved packages walk you through the application, stamp order, and day-to-day best practices. When you enroll, you also receive:

  • A downloadable pricing worksheet
  • Sample loan-signing checklist
  • Discount on your first supply order

Start today and turn travel time into income sooner than you think.

Final Word: What Sets a Mobile Notary Service Apart and What You Can Do Next

A mobile notary bridges the gap between busy people and critical paperwork. With the right commission, portable tools, and clear travel pricing, you can meet clients wherever life takes them and earn solid fees for every sealed signature. This service is what you offer to clients who need convenience, legal certainty, and a reliable agent to handle what matters most.

Start the journey today — thousands of signers in TX, FL, CA, NY, PA, and AZ are already searching for “mobile notary near me.” Your name could be the one they click next when they want the best signing service, the most reliable remote agent or the fastest notarization online or in person.

Plus, you can become the agent who travels on-demand and offers signing services with online tools, so you’re the one they choose for convenience and quality. Our state-aligned training shows you how to build an online presence, become a trusted service provider, and set up clear fee schedules so clients know what they pay for service and travel. 

Whether you’re in a busy city or a remote town, your services are exactly what clients need. As a mobile notary, you can serve in all conditions — day or night, weekday, or weekend — and they will know that you are the one who can be there on time, with all tools in hand, to get the job done. With this knowledge and these resources, you’ll see how you can expand your reach in the state and become the mobile notary and signing agent everyone relies on.