<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virginia has plenty of opportunities for notaries and future notaries. It\u2019s the 12th<\/sup> most populous state in the USA. It\u2019s also close to the U.S. capital, Washington D.C.. As recently as 2019, a CNBC poll<\/a> named Virginia the number 1 state in the U.S. for businesses. The large population, business environment, and closeness to D.C. combine to form a significant need for notarization services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One other contributing factor to the growing opportunity for notaries in Virginia. COVID-19 has led many states to establish laws allowing notaries to perform online notarizations. In 2011, Virginia became the first state to allow remote online notarizations. Because of this, more people are used to using online notarization platforms for their personal and business needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re considering becoming a notary public in Virginia, expanding your practice to online notarizations can provide additional income and flexibility. In this article, we\u2019ll discuss:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The basic requirements to become a notary in Virginia are that the applicant must be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you meet all of these requirements, are ready to apply!<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the benefits to becoming a notary in Virginia is that there are relatively few expenses to start. The application fee is $45, you have to purchase a notary seal (the prices vary), and you have to pay $10 to the Circuit Court to take your oath of office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, Virginia is a \u201cself-certifying\u201d state. \u201cSelf-certifying\u201d means no course or exam is needed to apply as a notary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Virginia also does not require the purchase of a surety bond or errors and omissions insurance. For more on surety bonds and E & O insurance, check out this article<\/a> on our blog. The quick rundown is that bonds and insurance protect the public and the notary from the financial consequences of notarization errors. So, even though they aren\u2019t required, you may still want to consider purchasing a bond and an insurance policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you know the requirements for entry, you\u2019re ready to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, you\u2019ll have to create a login account on the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth\u2019s website<\/a>. Next, you\u2019ll use the Notary Application Wizard<\/a> to enter your information and pay your $45 application fee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Section 3 of the application (the \u201cAgreements\u201d section) requires a notarized signature. Once you’ve done this, mail the completed, notarized pages, along with your application fee receipt, to the Office of the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once yourapplication is approved, the Secretary of the Commonwealth\u2019s office will inform you and the Circuit Court. You\u2019ll have 60 days to report to the Circuit Court to take your oath of office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After you\u2019ve taken your oath of office, you have to buy your notary seal. At a minimum, your seal must show your name (as it appears on your commission) and the words \u201cNotary Public\u201d and \u201cCommonwealth of Virginia.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have your seal, that\u2019s it! You are now a notary public in the State of Virginia!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve received your commission to be a traditional notary public, you\u2019re ready to get your commission as a remote online notary! <\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step of this process is to make sure you have the necessary technology at home or at your place of employment to perform online notarization. You\u2019ll need a computer with a microphone, webcam, and secure internet connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second, you\u2019ll need to select a remote online notary service provider. Many services, including LiveNotary<\/a>, meet the requirements for online notarization in Virginia. The main conditions are that the service allows you to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your remote online notarization provider will also allow you to purchase an electronic signature and seal. It’s require that you have your seal and signature before you can apply for your online commission. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve selected your service provider and received your electronic seal and signature, you can complete the Virginia eNotary application<\/a>. You\u2019ll use your electronic seal and signature to sign the application and pay the $45 online notary application fee. It may take up to two weeks to receive your commission via email. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve gotten your online commission, you can start notarizing online right away! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Becoming a notary public can provide you many personal and professional opportunities. Notaries can work in many different capacities and fill many different roles. Notaries can also be their own boss, performing notarizations independently of an employer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Online notaries have all the advantages discussed above, plus the ability to make more money in a safe, flexible, convenient way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As an online notary, you don\u2019t have to deal with some of the burdens associated with in-person notary businesses. If you work from home or in a remote setting, you don\u2019t have to pay for the rent or upkeep of a brick-and-mortar business. Because online notarizations utilize electronic document storage, online notaries don\u2019t have to deal with the space requirements or physical organization of storing paper documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re an online notary, you can make your hours, often outside of regular 9 to 5 traditional business hours. The Handbook for Virginia Notaries Public<\/a> specifies that online notarizations are not limited to signers located only in Virginia. Therefore, Virginia online notaries can perform notarizations for people all over the country, as long as the notary is in Virginia. This allows the notary to make money during hours where businesses might be closed in their home state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The ability to notarize outside of regular business hours for individuals outside their traditional jurisdiction allows for increased income opportunities. If you are a conventional notary, you\u2019ve probably seen a decrease in your in-person business since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased regulation and public safety concerns have decreased walk-in customers for all companies. Remote online notarization provides an opportunity for signers to have their needs met safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hopefully, this discussion has provided the information you need to pursue your goal of becoming a notary. If you have other questions about online notarization, check out our LiveNotary Blog<\/a>. If you\u2019re a traditional notary and ready to step into the online space, contact LiveNotary<\/a> to see how we can meet your needs! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Virginia has plenty of opportunities for notaries and future notaries. It\u2019s the 12th most populous state in the USA. It\u2019s also close to the U.S. capital, Washington D.C.. As recently as 2019, a CNBC poll named Virginia the number 1 state in the U.S. for businesses. The large population, business environment, and closeness to D.C. combine to form a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":293,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[41,6,60],"yoast_head":"\nThe Basics<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Fee\u2019s, Exams, and Requirements<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Process<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Getting Your Online Commission<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Why Become an Online Notary?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Low Overhead<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Increased Flexibility and Income<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Improved Safety<\/h4>\n\n\n\n