Notary Fees: What to Expect
What notaries used to expect for a signing has changed drastically in the last year and continues to drop. The reason for this is the declining mortgage industry and economic status of the country as a whole. Less people are buying homes, refinancing, or taking out loans, all procedures that may need the use of a mobile notary. The price title companies and lenders are willing to pay for a notary has gone down, because many of the title companies and lenders don’t have the budget or are closing their doors. Just recently one of the biggest lenders in America fired 75% of their employees and schedulers. This is not great news to hear for a notary.
Now that the industry is dropping and business is slow, what can a notary expect for a signing? A year ago a notary could expect $200 for edocs and $300 for an 80/20. If a notary required that today, they would get a soft chuckle and then a dial tone. Many notaries are still living in this dream world where their $600 a day fantasies can once again come true, but those days are long gone and may never come back.
A notary should expect to receive $75 to $100 for a signing, refi, e-docs etc…depending on travel. If the docs and borrowers are extremely far away the notary might be able to finagle a higher price. Notary fees are a tricky aspect of the notary profession because they are always negotiable. The fees required by the state are set in stone and a notary is not allowed to require more than that for affirming and witnessing. However there is a thick gray line in between this where anything goes and where the notary’s price can be negotiated.
It is important not give to the lender or title company your price up front. When the notary does this, they have verbally committed to do it for a price that may or may not be below what the company would have paid them. Once you ask, you may get a response like “it depends”, or “the docs are and the job is in…” These are all good reads for you to negotiate your price with the officer or lender.
Other things about the industry show light at the end of the tunnel. New software is being developed by companies like NotaryBay, where lenders and title companies can work directly with title companies and lenders to generate a higher fee. No middle man. Do not lose hope notaries. And if you have read this and are not a notary then hire one soon.
Blake helps companies and people find a notary for wills, affidavits and other documents that Notary Public notarize. Blake works for a notary company in Seattle.
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