Launching and Running a Notary Business in Tennessee

Are you considering starting your own notary business in the state of Tennessee? Becoming a notary public can be a rewarding and lucrative venture. In this article, we will explore the process of launching and running a notary business in Tennessee, including the fees that may be charged for various services, as well as additional charges allowed for mobile, loan closing, or remote online notarizations.

1. Understanding the Role of a Notary Public

Before we dive into the details of starting a notary business, let’s first understand the role of a notary public. A notary public is an official appointed by the state government to act as a witness in the signing of important documents. Their primary function is to verify the identities of the individuals involved and ensure the documents are executed legally.

Notaries in Tennessee have the authority to administer oaths, certify copies of documents, and provide acknowledgments. They play a crucial role in preventing fraud and maintaining the integrity of legal documents.

2. Meeting the Requirements

In order to become a notary public in Tennessee, you must meet certain requirements set by the state. These requirements include being at least 18 years old, a legal resident of Tennessee, and able to read and write in English. Additionally, you must not have any felony convictions or moral turpitude.

To apply for a notary commission, you will need to complete an application form provided by the Tennessee Secretary of State. The application must be accompanied by a $12 application fee, payable to the Secretary of State.

3. Obtaining a Notary Bond and Supplies

Once your application is approved, you will need to obtain a notary bond. A notary bond serves as a financial guarantee to protect the public from any errors or omissions you may make as a notary public. The bond amount required in Tennessee is $10,000.

Additionally, you will need to purchase a notary seal and a notary journal. The notary seal is used to authenticate your notarial acts, while the journal is used to record all notarial acts performed. These supplies can be purchased from office supply stores or online notary supply vendors.

4. Understanding Notary Fees

As a notary public, you have the ability to charge fees for your services. In Tennessee, the maximum fee allowed for notarial acts is $10 per act. Notarial acts include acknowledgments, jurats, oaths or affirmations, and certified copies.

It is important to note that notaries are prohibited from charging fees for witnessing signatures on absentee ballots or voter registration forms.

5. Additional Charges for Special Notarizations

In addition to the standard notarial fees, notaries in Tennessee may charge additional fees for certain special notarizations. These include mobile notarizations, loan closing notarizations, and remote online notarizations.

A mobile notarization occurs when the notary travels to the location of the client to perform the notarial act. Notaries can charge reasonable travel expenses in addition to the standard notarial fee.

Loan closing notarizations involve the notarization of loan documents during a real estate closing. Notaries may charge a separate fee for loan closing notarizations due to the complexity and time involved in these transactions.

Remote online notarizations are a relatively new development in Tennessee. Notaries can charge an additional fee for providing notarial services remotely through audiovisual technology.

Conclusion

Launching and running a notary business in Tennessee can be an exciting and profitable venture. By understanding the requirements, obtaining the necessary supplies, and knowing the fees that can be charged, you can confidently start your own notary business.

If you’re passionate about helping others with their legal needs and enjoy working with important documents, becoming a notary public may be the perfect career path for you. Explore our website for more articles that delve deeper into the world of notaries and discover valuable insights to enhance your journey as a notary public.