Launching and Running a Notary Business in West Virginia
Are you interested in starting your own notary business in the beautiful state of West Virginia? Being a notary public can be a fulfilling and lucrative career choice. As a notary, you will be responsible for verifying the authenticity of important documents and performing various notarial acts. In this article, we will explore the process of launching and running a notary business in West Virginia, including the fees that may be charged for different services and additional charges allowed for mobile, loan closing, or remote online notarizations.
Getting Started as a Notary in West Virginia
The first step in launching your notary business is to become a commissioned notary public in the state of West Virginia. To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of West Virginia or work in the state, and be of good moral character. You will also need to complete an application and pay the required fees, which include a $52 application fee and a $10,000 bond. The bond serves as a form of insurance for the public in case you make a mistake or commit fraud in your notarial acts.
Once your application is approved, you will receive your notary commission, which is valid for a term of four years. You will also be required to obtain a notary seal, which can be purchased from authorized vendors. The seal must contain your commission name, the words “Notary Public,” the state seal of West Virginia, and your commission expiration date.
Fees Charged by Notaries in West Virginia
As a notary public in West Virginia, you are allowed to charge certain fees for your services. However, it is important to note that the maximum fees that can be charged are set by state law. For example, the maximum fee for an acknowledgment or verification is $5 per signature, while the maximum fee for a jurat is $5 per signature.
Additionally, notaries in West Virginia are allowed to charge a travel fee for mobile notarizations. This fee covers the notary’s time and expenses for traveling to the location where the notarial act will take place. The travel fee is not specified by law and can be determined by the notary based on factors such as distance, time, and complexity of the notarization.
Additional Charges for Special Notarial Acts
In addition to the standard fees, notaries in West Virginia can also charge additional fees for special notarial acts. For example, if you are performing a loan closing as a notary, you can charge a fee for this specialized service. The fee for loan closings varies depending on the complexity of the transaction and the time involved.
Furthermore, West Virginia allows remote online notarizations, where notarial acts are performed electronically through audio-visual technology. Notaries can charge additional fees for remote online notarizations to cover the costs of the technology used and the specialized training required to perform these acts.
Conclusion
Starting a notary business in West Virginia can be a rewarding venture. By following the necessary steps to become a commissioned notary public and understanding the fees that can be charged for different services, you can launch and run a successful notary business. Remember to always adhere to the laws and regulations governing notarial acts and provide professional and reliable services to your clients.
If you want to learn more about the notary profession or explore other related topics, make sure to check out our website for more informative articles.
