How Do You Become An Online Notary In Minnesota?
Starting from January 1, 2019, Minnesota has allowed Notaries to register for remote online notarizations (RONs). To become a remote Notary in the state of Minnesota, follow these steps:
- Maintain your current commission as a traditional Notary Public.
- Sign up or contract with a RON technology provider.
- Complete the Remote Online Notarization Authorization form.
- Submit your application to the Minnesota Secretary of State via mail.
- Receive an email from the Secretary of State authorizing you to perform remote online notarizations.
From here you can upload a screenshot of this email as your RON Approval Document and begin performing Online Notarization!
How to Become a Traditional Notary in Minnesota (Get your Notary Commission)
To become a Notary Public in Minnesota, follow these essential steps:
- Ensure Eligibility: Verify that you meet all the qualifications specified in Minnesota state law (see below for details).
- Complete Application: Fill out the Notary Commission Application.
- Submission: Mail the completed application along with a check or money order for the $120 application fee to the Secretary of State.
- Register Commission: Once you receive your commission certificate by mail, it’s crucial to register it with your county of residence and pay the $20 recording fee. Failure to do so may result in civil penalty fees.
- Obtain Notary Supplies: Acquire the necessary Notary stamp and other essential supplies.
- Consider E&O Insurance: While optional, obtaining errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is strongly recommended. This can provide valuable financial protection.
- Ongoing Education: Optional but highly recommended, consider pursuing continuing education or seek guidance from experienced Notary experts to enhance your skills and knowledge in the field.
Once you have your bond, seal, journal and commission you are ready to start performing notarial acts as a commissioned notary in Minnesota.
What are the requirements to become a Notary in Minnesota?
To be eligible for a Notary position in Minnesota, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
- Minimum Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Residency: You must be a resident of Minnesota or one of the neighboring counties in Iowa (IA), North Dakota (ND), South Dakota (SD), or Wisconsin (WI). Additionally, you must specify the Minnesota County in which you intend to file upon receiving your Notary commission.
For further details, consult the Minnesota Notary Public Commission Guide or the Minnesota SoS Website.
Are Online Notaries Legal in Minnesota?
Indeed, Senate File 893 was enacted and became effective on January 1, 2019. This move positioned Minnesota as the seventh state in the nation to embrace remote online notarizations. Under this new legislation, remote Notaries are empowered to execute notarial acts for individuals located anywhere, provided that the Notary is physically present within the state at the moment of notarization.
Why Should You think about Becoming An Online Notary In Minnesota
Becoming an Online Notary in Minnesota is a simple way to offer convenient services and secure services to clients from wherever you are. Online Notaries offer faster booking and easier document completion turnaround times! Save clients and yourself time by working from home. What are you waiting for?
Minnesota Online Notary FAQ’s
Are Training or Exams Mandatory for Becoming a Remote Notary in Minnesota?
No, there is no mandatory training or examination requirement in Minnesota’s remote Notary registration process. However, if you feel the need for additional guidance, the Secretary of State offers training resources on its website. Additionally, your chosen RON provider will typically offer training on its platform.
What Technology and Supplies Are Necessary for Conducting Remote Online Notarizations?
Minnesota remote Notaries must possess a computer, webcam, microphone, and a secure internet connection. While the MN Secretary of State does not endorse specific RON providers, they do list options like BlueNotary as an end-to-end remote notarization solutions.
You will also need to obtain an electronic seal, an electronic journal, and a digital certificate containing your electronic signature. It’s crucial to ensure these components comply with your chosen RON provider’s system. These are all provided free by BlueNotary.
Is a Surety Bond Required for Remote Notaries?
No, remote Notaries in Minnesota do not need a surety bond to conduct online notarizations.
Is Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance Mandatory in Minnesota?
While an errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy is not mandatory, it is highly recommended. Mistakes can occur, and having an E&O policy can provide financial protection in such situations. These policies limit your financial liability in the event of errors or omissions on notarized documents.
What to Expect as a Notary?
As in other professions, the amount of work an online notary receives can vary widely. Generally the busiest time is 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. There are many businesses that need consistent notarizations. Did we mention there are over 1.25 billion notarizations performed annually?
It is important to remember that when working as an online notary, you are responsible for adhering to the regulations set forth by the state. This includes making sure documents are properly notarized and witnessed. Always ensure documents contain all of the necessary information. The most successful online notaries spend some time doing their own client acquisition and sales funneling, especially those that are doing it online.
How Much Can You Expect To Make as a Notary in Minnesota?
As you gain more experience and have notarized more documents, you will be able to earn even more by taking on loan signings (where the industry standard is $150 per session) and other creative packages and invoicing clients outside of BlueNotary. You will be able to earn a very decent income – all from the comfort of your home office.
BlueNotary lets you bill your clients at your own rates. This makes your earnings very flexible depending on your ability to build a network.
How do I Start Notarizing Online in Minnesota?
A great place to start is the BlueNotary Free Training Group. There you will find advice from other Minnesota notaries who’ve been through the process and can answer help answer your questions.
Becoming an online notary can be a great way to supplement your income and make a positive impact on the community. As an online notary, you get to decide which platform to use for finding clients.
BlueNotary is the best option for super simple onboarding and the independent notary looking to grow their own business. We even have training videos and a signing simulator to get you comfortable with the process.
Register and get started here: Sign Up.
