Notaries are an impartial third party who can certify legal documents. Becoming a Notary provides a number of benefits for those looking to expand their career or use the service as part-time work.
How to Become a Notary Public in Virginia
The following steps explain the steps you need to take if you want to become a Traditional Notary Public in Virginia:
- Make sure you meet all of the state’s requirements (see above).
- Complete and print an application form, using the Virginia Online Notary Application Wizard.
- Pay the $45 application fee online. You’ll be given an online receipt with an invoice number matching the barcode number on your application. You can also pay via check or money order.
- Have your signature on Part 3 of the application notarized.
- Mail your notarized application and receipt — or check or money order — to the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
- When approved, a notice will be sent to you as well as the Circuit Court clerk in 2-3 weeks.
- Contact the Circuit Court to take your Oath of Office and pay the $10 fee within 60 days.
- Obtain your state-required seal.
- Get E&O insurance (optional, but strongly recommended).
Once these requirements are met, you can begin offering your services as a Traditional Notary in Virginia.
Are You a Business in Virginia Looking to Fulfill Your Notary Needs?
BlueNotary offers multiple solutions for filling your notarial needs. Whether its online using our network, your network, or with one of our BlueMobile Notary teams, you can be sure we’ve got a simple solution for you. Start moving some of that work off your plate, meet with our Solutions Team today! Whether it’s a one off, or a custom enterprise solution, we’ve got you sorted.
Are You a Notary Building Your Own Business?
If you are a notary who is looking to build your business. We have built a course just for you to jumpstart and accelerate your business growth. This course is specifically for those who want to know how to build a stream of incoming clients and those who aren’t afraid of getting their hands dirty. The Blue Mastermind Course comes with:
- Exclusive membership to the Blue Mastermind Inner Circle
- BlueNotary Pro Hybrid – 1 Year Subscription
- Access to our Leads Generator Database
- LIFETIME Digital Certificate and Electronic Seal
- Handle Any Document Course
- BlueBrick – We help you build your own notary website
- Blue Mastermind Training
You can check out more information on taking the plunge into the deep end of the notary pool and learning to swim fastest over here.
What’s Required to be a Notary Public in Virginia?
To be eligible for a Notary commission in Virginia, candidates must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Possess the ability to read and write English.
- Be a legal resident of the U.S.
- Reside in Virginia or have a Virginia place of employment.
- Not have a felony conviction in any U.S. or Virginia law, or any other state’s law unless rights have been restored.
What does it cost to become a Notary Public involved?
The application process involves a $45 fee for all applicants. Following approval, a $10 fee is charged at the Circuit Court during the oath-taking ceremony.
How long does it take to become a Notary in Virgina?
The processing time for Notary applications is typically two to three weeks after the state receives the application.
How long does a Virginia Notary Commission Last?
A Notary commission in Virginia lasts for four years. To maintain Notary status, renewal is required before the commission’s expiry, which falls on the last day of the Notary’s birth month.
Do you have to pass a class to become a Notary Public in Virginia?
Virginia does not require prospective Notaries to undergo training or pass an exam. It operates on a “self-certifying” model.
Do you have to take a class?
Virginia does not require prospective Notaries to undergo training or pass an exam. It operates on a “self-certifying” model.
What supplies does a Virginia Notary need?
Commissioned Notaries must acquire a seal, choosing between an ink stamp or an embosser. The seal must be clear, permanent, legible, and capable of being photocopied, containing:
- The Notary’s name as it appears on the commission.
- The designation “Notary Public” and “Commonwealth of Virginia.
- The Notary registration number and commission expiration date are optional but recommended.
Quality and durability of seals vary, so it’s advised to inquire about a lifetime guarantee. For embossers, an inker is necessary to ensure photocopying capability. Having a backup seal is advised to prevent interruption of service.
Although a journal of official acts isn’t mandatory (except for electronic notarizations), it’s strongly recommended for record-keeping and proving due diligence.
Are Virginia Notaries required to have surety bonds or insurance?
Virginia does not require a surety bond. Obtaining Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance is optional but recommended for protection against unintentional mistakes or unfounded claims, covering legal expenses and damages up to the chosen policy limit.
Is Online Notarization legal in Virginia?
Yes, Virginia allows remote online notarization (RON). The state has long had these laws and standards of practice. Although each county may have different regulations, the state has put in place the rules and regulations necessary to allow for notaries who work remotely.
Virginia made things easier on signers by being early adopters to biometrics laws. No surprise given it was the very first state to legalize RON. They’re on the cutting edge when compared to other states.
Steps to Become an Electronic Remote Notary in Virginia:
In 2013, Virginia pioneered remote online notarization (RON) services. However, before a Notary Public can offer such services, they need to be commissioned as an electronic Notary (eNotary) by the state. Here are the necessary steps to achieve this status in Virginia:
1. Maintain an active commission as a standard Notary Public.
2. Obtain an electronic seal or stamp from a recognized Notary provider (BlueNotary provides these for free)
3. Choose your RON technology vendor(s) for crafting your electronic signature for both online notarizations and eNotarizations.
4. Fill out the Virginia eNotary Application, signing it with your electronic signature and seal. (The Digital Certificate used will need to be provided by Identrust)
5. Pay the $45 application fee online to Virginia’s Secretary of the Commonwealth.
6. Await an email notification from the Secretary of the Commonwealth confirming the approval of your application.
What to Expect From the Job?
As in other professions, the amount of work an online notary receives can vary widely. Generally the busiest times for notaries are during tax season, when documents such as tax returns need to be signed and notarized. However, there is also a steady demand throughout the year from businesses and individuals in need of authentication services, especially if you can find a niche.
It is also important to take into account that online notarizations are often cheaper than in-person notarizations when travel and expenses are factored in, allowing your services to be more attractive to potential customers.
How Much Can You Expect To Make?
When you create an account with Blue Notary to get started, you can expect to earn around $25 for online notarizations. As you gain more experience and have notarized more documents, you will be able to earn even more by taking on loan signing packages. Like all businesses, you get out what you put in, so the more you are willing to network and market yourself, the better and easier your job will be.
BlueNotary also has the option for you to Invoice Your Clients Outside of BlueNotary at your rates at a cost of just $2 per notarization for their Pro-Hybrid members. This makes your earnings very flexible depending on your abilities.
Can I do Online Notary?
Virginia is one of the most progressive states in the union for notaries. They were the first state to legalize Remote Online Notarization and are also one of the first states to start using Biometric Verification methods.
As an online notary, you get to decide when and where you work. Blue Notary is the best option for notaries looking to build their own business as we work to help keep your prices competitive.
We also make it super easy for you to onboard and start notarizing documents online. We have training videos and a signing simulator to get you comfortable with the process. We also have a facebook group full of notaries to help you get through the process and walk the path they’ve helped trail before.
You are able to earn money with each document you notarize and work at your own schedule.
Please note, Virginia is the only known state in the union that recognized only Identrust Digital Certificates. This is important to keep in mind when submitting your application for vendor approval.
