The work is even simpler. A client (usually a title company that found your name through a Notary association listing) calls you and asks if you want to do a signing. They fax a contract that states how much you’ll get paid, or how much you won’t get paid if you don’t do your job right etc. After you accept, they send you loan package by fax or email. You then call borrower to schedule a time frame for signing which usually takes an hour. You watch borrowers sign their papers, you sign and stamp a couple yourself, borrowers get a copy of loan package, and you get one to overnight back to your client. Yes, I’ve simplified process a bit, but not by much.

Borrowers will ask you what every piece of paper means and will try to get you to decipher never-ending stream of legalize contained therein but guess what? You don’t have to explain anything to them; in fact, you’re not legally allowed to because you are not a lawyer (unless you’re also a lawyer—in that case, kudos for you). You simply explain that you are there only to witness signing of documents and you refer their questions back to their lender.

How much do you get paid? There are various factors that come into play, such as location, how long you’ve had to build up a clientele, client’s policies, etc. but you can figure as a complete newbie, to make about $75 a signing. Not bad for an hour’s worth of work eh? Soon you might even be able to tell Mr. Burns to go shove it.

Copyright 2005 Jon Castle