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Notary Signing Agent
Traits of a Great Notary Signing AgentPublished September 8, 2026
In today’s marketplace, America’s notaries are showing strong interest in working as“signing agents.” Those who do this work—estimated at around 100,000-plus individuals—find it’s a satisfying combination of flexible hours, freedom from a static workplace setting, plus the potential to make as much or as little income as their chosen work/life balance allows.
For America’s current notaries already operating as notary signing agents, and perhaps for someone like you, it’s the right job at the right time. For example:
→ Signing agent work has enabled many notaries to develop an entirely new self-employed career, some doing this after decades of working for someone else.
→ Other notaries choose not to wait for retirement… they happily moonlight as notary signing agents after their regular work hours, layering their sole-proprietor income on top of their employee earnings.
→ Many retirees who have spent their early post-career years kicking back and relaxing realize they thrive on days filled with activity and purpose… and signing agent work fits the bill.
What is notary signing agent work, and why is it so popular?
In the simplest terms, a notary signing agent is a commissioned/appointed notary public who has taken specialized training on presenting mortgage loan and real estate documents to the person(s) who must sign them.
The trained notary meets with the document signer(s), identifies them, presents each document to be signed and recites its general purpose, observes the person(s) signing each document, creates recordbook (journal) entries with the details of each signature that was notarized, then returns the fully executed document package to the awaiting lender or signing service.
Unless they are also attorneys or authorized employees of the lender represented at the signing, notary signing agents cannot and do not explain any legal effects of the documents being signed and notarized. They may announce the title of each document, state its purpose and show the present individual(s) where they are to sign, but that is all.
Even so, the many notaries who engage in signing agent work find it fulfilling. They enjoy interacting with customers on a regular basis, earning income on their chosen schedule, and using their notary commission to help people during perhaps the most significant transactions of their lives… buying and selling their homes and real estate.
What qualifications and requirements must be met to work as a notary signing agent?
The general requirements and certification to function as a notary signing agent are straightforward. You’ll need to:
• Hold an active notary public commission (also called an “appointment”);
• Verify that notary signing agent work is not banned in your state;
• Know whether your state imposes legal restrictions making it difficult or impossible for you to obtain the certification (for example, your state requires an attorney to perform signing services and you are not an attorney, or your state requires a trained notary to also be a title insurance producer or escrow agent);
• Assess whether your state of notary commission/appointment requires a particular license in addition to your notary commission and notary signing agent training.
You also need honest self-assessment of your own likes/dislikes and work ethic. Successful notary signing agents share many of these personal characteristics and skills:
⇒ Self-starter… you’re proactive, motivated to succeed, and competent at understanding workflows and their related tasks. You also can function independently without needing constant direction or supervision.
⇒ Competent with the technology and tools that signing agents can’t live without… a laptop, printer(s), and a well-equipped cell phone are minimum must-haves. Additional equipment favorites include a copier and sheet-fed fax machine.
⇒ Good communicator… you’re helpful, perceptive of others’ desire to speak and ask questions, skilled at breaking down potentially confusing information into understandable bites, and a willing listener.
⇒ Professional in appearance and attitude… the most common “look” for the majority of notary signing agents is business casual. Signing agents are expected to present themselves as put-together—no rumpled clothes or unkempt grooming.
⇒ High energy… you don’t balk at doing extra and/or hard work to ensure things are “just so.”
Do these traits describe you? If they do, why not begin learning about this challenging but fulfilling line of work. Many active notary signing agents post online about their typical workdays, challenges, achievements, and the great feeling of being their own boss.
In addition, you’ll need a comprehensive training course. The ASN Notary Signing Agent Training Course by American Society of Notaries is “respected as a solid, detailed professional development resource… well-regarded for continuing education and thoroughness.” (Source: Google AI overview.) Our course takes around four hours to thoroughly review online, covering fundamental notarial practices, sole proprietorship advice, and general signing agent duties. Upon completing the course, you’ll have the opportunity (at no extra cost) to pass an exam that can earn you our “ASN Certified Notary Signing Agent” designation.
To take the first educational step into a promising new vocation, select “Notary Training” from our website’s home-page options, then select “ASN Notary Signing Agent Training Course” from our Specialty Courses sub-menu.
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