How to Become a Notary in WV

Notary Signing Agent Blueprint offers this quick step by step guide to help you learn how to become a Notary in WV. Below you’ll find Notary income opportunities, common questions, videos, and guidance so you can make this an easy and more profitable endeavor. Enjoy!

Why becoming a Notary in WV is an excellent idea.

Many different documents are required to be notarized by law each time they are created, allowing you to thrive in ANY economy.
Lenders, law offices, employers, hospitals, schools, and government agencies all need documents notarized on a regular, even daily basis.
You can work when and where you want, with endless income opportunities.
Boost your resume, all while being a leader in your community and helping people.

With a population of around 2 million residents, there are plenty of people in West Virginia that could benefit from your Notary services in your immediate area.

To become a West Virginia Notary:

Read Notary Public Law
Complete application form N-1 and/or N-2
Receive commission letter
Pay $52 fee
Review the Notary Handbook

West Virginia Secretary of State website

West Virginia Notary Public Application form N-1

West Virginia eNotary Public Online Notarization Application form N-2

West Virginia Notary Public Handbook

Free Notary Signing Agent Training

Additional Information for how to become a Notary in WV

Be able to read, write, and speak English
18 years old requirement
Have high school diploma or equivalent
Legal resident of the US
Be a resident of the state or employed there
Not be disqualified to receive commission pursuant to code
*Subject to change at any time.

In West Virginia, the only thing better than eating your favorite food, is having a well-run lifetime cash flow Notary business. Keep reading to learn exactly how you can finally become your own boss, and create your own schedule once you become a Notary.

Frequently Asked Questions for West Virginia Notaries

What is a Notary Public?

A Notary Public is typically appointed by state government as an impartial third party witness with signing documents. They verify a signer’s identity and willingness to sign a document, all while signing and notarizing the document by stamping.

What is Notary Public income in WV?

With the amount of documents that require notarization every time they are created, it’s best to find “the source” of that business stream so you can get repeat business. Although Notaries charge per stamp, the bulk of their Notary Public income is from the travel fee. Currently Notary Signing Agents get paid a flat fee of around $75-$200 per signing with real estate transactions.

Depending on the types of documents you work on every day, will be the biggest influence on your Notary annual income. You can be part time or full time, so that is a clear factor on how much you take home. It is possible to make six figures as a Notary Signing Agent when you exclusively work on real estate transactions, and build that business up with the higher paying signing orders only.

How long is the term good for?

The term for West Virginia is 5 years.

What is a surety bond?

A surety bond protects the public if there is financial harm caused by Notary wrongdoing or fraud. West Virginia does not require a bond any more. This bond does not protect the Notary, it protects consumers. If there is claim made, the bond pays the consumer, and the Notary pays the bond back. Only about 30 states require a bond. Florida’s cost $40 for 4 years, and this varies by state. E&O or Errors & Omissions Insurance is what protects the Notary.

How much does it cost to become a Notary in WV?

$52.

Is training required?

Only a handful of states require Notary training of any kind. West Virginia does not require training or exam.

Specialized training can help you become more comfortable, and prevent you from making mistakes and costly errors. See our expert Notary Signing Agent training options here.

Can I do Remote Online Notarization in WV? How do I become an electronic Notary or e notary in WV?

This is a new trend where notarizations and loan closings can happen from a distance via online webcam. Traditionally mobile Notaries and Signing Agents drove to meet signers to stamp their documents in person. As technology advanced and created a more streamlined process, some states have allowed this to happen via webcam remotely. Remote Online Notarization or R.O.N., is a new opportunity potentially sweeping the nation into the “work from home” space.

At this time, the best way to see if your state allows online Notarization’s is by contacting the Secretary of State or Notary Division directly, as this blog is not updated frequent enough.

What is the difference between a Notary and a Notary Signing Agent?

Notaries work on individual documents such as wills, trusts, or school forms. Notary Signing Agents work on real estate documents such as purchase, seller, or refinance documents. Because of this they are able to earn more, and are not capped with state law max fees like Notaries are.

Free Notary Signing Agent Training

How can Notary Signing Agent Blueprint help me become a Notary?

We specialize in helping people learn how to become a Notary in WV. Mobile Notary Signing Agent income is $75-$200 per loan closing!

Jon Snedeker Founder & Director of Notary Signing Agent Blueprint has facilitated almost 10,000 loan signings over his career, and was named “One of the Best Notary Signing Agents in America”.

So what do Notary Signing Agents REALLY do?

Essentially Signing Agents help walk a borrower through a set of Loan Documents showing them where to sign, date, and initial. Millions of transactions happen every year when someone buys a home, sells a home, or refinances. All of these are required by law to be notarized.

Banks, title companies, and signing service companies all use Notary Signing Agents on a daily basis to facilitate their transactions in all 50 states. Closings take less than an hour once you’re trained, allowing you to make great money in a short amount of time. By law you (if you are not an Attorney) you are NOT allowed to explain or go in-depth explaining any of the documents to the borrower. Because of that, this is more of a brief general summary, point and sign type of job.

You can even do loan signings part time, full time, or any time!

Have you ever thought… how much does a Notary Signing Agent make?

There is a key difference between how much Notaries make, and how much Signing Agents make.

Notaries usually work on individual documents to be stamped, and are restricted with state law max fees of $0.25 – $15 per stamp max. The bulk of their fee can be in travel, yet some state unfortunately restrict that too. If you’ve ever wondering why can you only make say $5 per stamp as a Notary, it’s because of state laws. Don’t worry, there is a better way!

Signing Agents on the other hand specialize with loan document sets. They don’t just stamp one document only, usually there are 8 notarized documents in a 100 page loan package. They are also NOT restricted with state max Notary fees because they fall under a different category with additional responsibilities. These include dropping off the documents at fedex/ups after the signing.

They make $75-$200+ per loan signing, and are paid per appointment. Just 2, 3, or 4 closings a day at $100 brings $50K, $75K, or $100K per year.

The amount of the fee is determined by who you get the order from. So how do you get work as a Signing Agent?

If you get the order directly from a Title Company, the fees are generally $150 per loan signing.

If you get the order from a Signing Service Company, the fees are generally around $75-$100 per loan signing.

Want to be a Six Figure Signing Agent? Do 4 signings a day at $100, or 2 a day at $150 and 1 at $100. Our Blueprint will show you how to get a fast-track start with how to become a Notary in WV!

How do you become a Signing Agent in West Virginia?

The best way to explain is… ALL Signing Agents are Notaries, but not all Notaries are Signing Agents.

This job has a very high earning potential, so additional credentials are needed to be qualified once you know how to become a Notary in WV.

In addition to being a Notary, these credentials can include certain background checks, and insurance. Generally the background check can be around $60, and insurance costs can vary. I pay $72 a year for $100,000 of E&O Insurance which stands for errors and omissions insurance.

Regardless of where you are in the process, Notary Signing Agent Blueprint will walk you through all the requirements so you don’t have to search for a thing!

Our program shows you everything you need to know with how to become a Notary in WV, simplifying the process of becoming a Notary, and gathering any additional Signing Agent credentials needed to make this a reality for yourself.

West Virginia Signing Agent Training.

Notary Signing Agent Blueprint will help you start and grow your loan signing career in West Virginia, so you can finally make more money and become your own boss!

Here is how we do it:

We have a national platform that includes expert online certification training, mentorship, and a private community all designed to help you succeed.

There is even a free webinar and training replay to watch so you can learn all about the Signing Agent opportunity! It will paint a picture as to how to become a Notary Public in WV and how the signings business actually works behind the scenes.

What your State doesn’t want you to know about becoming a Notary:

There are many state quirks to becoming a Notary, the process is similar, but not the same for each state. If you are going to try and do it yourself, just be aware of a few things.
First off, only 8 states require training of any kind to become a Notary, so at some point you’ll need to know what you’re doing to not make any mistakes.
You cannot work directly with your Secretary of State in all 50 states to become a Notary. Some states require a third party to handle your application on your behalf.
If you can work directly with your state, it can be quite confusing knowing who to work with as it may be with the Department of Licensing, Deputy Lieutenants, State Senators, Secretary of State, or Secretary of Department of Financial Institutions. Save the hassle, and work with us to get you ramped up as a Notary Signing Agent.
Stamp restrictions. Some states require a specific ink color in your Notary stamp. Many states require your notary commission expiration date on your stamp, and some require you don’t put it.
About 30 states require a Notary Surety Bond as we discussed above protecting consumers of any fraud.
Not all 50 states require having a Notary journal. Yet many bonding agencies push supplies and say they are required by law, even when they may not be required to purchase.