MINA Blog

Starting a Mobile Notary Business in Michigan: What You Really Need to Know

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:07:59 GMT

I see a lot of people getting excited about the idea of starting a mobile notary business. Social media makes it look easy. Take a few appointments, stamp a few documents, and make quick money. The reality is a little different, and if you want to do this the right way, there are some things you need to understand before you start.

First, let's talk about the question I hear all the time: Do we need more notaries in Michigan?

Michigan currently has about 113,000 commissioned notaries, and over 60,000 of them are not attorneys. So, if you're wondering whether the state needs more notaries, the honest answer is this: unless you live in the northern parts of Michigan, we probably don't need more notaries.

What we do need, in every part of the state, are educated notaries.

Notaries who understand the law. Notaries who know what they are doing when they notarize a document. Notaries who take the responsibility of the commission seriously.

If you're going to run a mobile notary business, you cannot treat it like a side hobby where you stamp a document and collect a fee. Running a business means being dedicated to the knowledge behind the work.

That starts with understanding your liability.

Many notaries are surprised to learn that the surety bond required for a Michigan notary commission does not protect the notary. The bond protects the public, not you. If a mistake or misconduct causes financial harm, the bond pays the claim, and the bonding company can then come after the notary to recover that money.

This is why Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance is critical for anyone operating a notary business. E&O insurance is designed to protect you from financial loss if a claim is made against you for a mistake in your notarial duties. If you're not familiar with how E&O insurance works, we have a video explaining it on YouTube on the @DetroitDeb1718 channel.

Insurance is just one part of running a responsible business.

You also need to understand your numbers.

A mobile notary business has real operating costs. Printing, paper, toner, vehicle expenses, fuel, marketing, scheduling software, supplies, continuing education, and your time. If you don't understand your profit and loss, you may think you're making money when you're actually losing it.

Too many people jump into this field thinking it's a quick way to make a few dollars. What they don't realize is the legal responsibility that comes with notarizing documents. Every notarization carries potential liability.

We're not here to scare you away from becoming a mobile notary. The goal isn't fear. The goal is education.

Another thing I strongly recommend is finding mentors. Not mentors who simply tell you what to do, but mentors who help guide you toward making your own informed decisions. A good mentor helps you learn how to think through situations, not just follow instructions. A great place to find a mentor for business is www.score.org . You don’t need a mentor specific to notaries. You need to know how to run a business, then apply it to the notary knowledge you gain from the Michigan Notary Association.

A well-run mobile notary business can absolutely be rewarding. But the notaries who succeed long-term are the ones who commit to education, professionalism, and understanding the responsibilities of the commission.

If you're serious about building a business in this field, start with knowledge. Everything else grows from there.

www.MichiganNotaryAssociation.org

Can a Notary Accept Tribal Identification?

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 19:00:37 GMT

Notaries sometimes are approached by people who do not have common identification, and wonder if it’s legal to accept it.

One such ID is Tribal Government ID.

Michigan is home to 12 Native American tribes that are officially recognized by the U.S. government. These tribes aren’t just groups of people with Native American heritage—they are their own governments with special rights. They have the power to make their own laws, run their own police and courts, and sometimes even make decisions that affect people who aren't members of the tribe. These tribal governments also provide important services to their members, like health care, education, and other community programs.

Tribal lands in Michigan—like reservations or trust lands—are mostly governed by the tribes themselves, not the state. This means that when tribal members are on their own land, the state doesn’t usually have legal power over them. Instead, the state and the tribes work together as separate governments and often make official agreements about things like fishing rights, taxes, clean water, business development, and casino gaming.

Because tribes are recognized by the federal government as sovereign nations, their tribal ID cards are legal forms of identification. That means a Michigan notary can accept a tribal ID when verifying someone’s identity—as long as the ID has a clear photo of the person, their signature, and it’s not expired if it has an expiration date.

The following are the 12 federally acknowledged tribes in the state of Michigan:

Bay Mills Indian Community

Grand Traverse of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

Hannahville Potawatomi Indian Community

Huron Potawatomi-Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians

Little River Band of Ottawa Indians

Leslie Hocker is a contributing editor for the Michigan Notary Association blog. Leslie is the President and co-Founder of the Michigan Notary Association , and runs her own mobile notary business, Mobile Notary of Macomb , in Chesterfield Michigan

Joining RON platforms as a Michigan Notary

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 23:45:15 GMT

This article was published first at OnMyWay Mobile Notary

This article is written for an audience of professional notaries looking to break into Remote Online Notarizations. If you're not a notary, a lot of this may not make sense! But you're welcome to come along on this journey.

The Michigan Law on Notarial Acts allows us to use only approved platforms for remote and electronic notarizations. I have included information on each of the allowed RON platforms. Please refer to the MINA training on RON before plunging in! This article does not include any recommendations for best practice, and is only based on my personal experience.

First, let’s define a few terms:

RON: Remote Online Notarization. No one needs to be in the same location as the notary. Each signer verifies ID and signs digitally through the use of an approved platform. Camera and microphone are required to complete the signing.

RIN: Remote Ink Notarization. Using audio-visual technology like Zoom, the client signs in ink while the notary views online. The physical document is then mailed to the notary, who notarizes it as if they had witnessed the client signing in person. This is not currently allowed in Michigan , and the industry is leaning away from using it due to the lack of security.

IPEN: In Person Electronic Notarization. The document signer and Notary physically meet in person, and the document is in an electronic format that is signed and notarized using an electronic signature and seal. No camera or microphone required, but must use an approved platform. The client needs to have the document available in digital format, or you need a way to scan it at the appointment.

GNW: General Notary Work. Everything that isn’t specifically real estate.

Digital Certificate: used for RON. A digital certificate performs two key functions — it verifies the identity of the Notary who affixed the electronic signature and seal on the notarized document, and it makes the document “tamper-evident.”

Seal: Just like our stamp on a paper notarization, it’s a digital seal. You can build one in Canva or any other platform that allows you to create and save an image file.

Pre-tagging: Think of it like using the little paper flags for signing packets, but even more. You’re adding the text fields they need to complete, and inserting date fields. Clients may or may not be able to do this themselves.

KBA: Knowledge-based authentication. This is information using the person’s social security number to gather questions about the person’s life from public records. Only works for people who are US citizens and using a US ID.

Biometrics: Uses a variety of camera angles to compare the face of the person in the camera to their ID. This is not currently allowed in Michigan, so we are at this time unable to use RON services for people who are using a foreign country ID.

Now onto comparing the platforms. Let’s talk similarities first:

All the platforms that allow General Notary Work also allow real estate transactions.
You can (and must) bring your own clients.
If you join for a fee, you might get access to clients through the platform, but all were clear that you should not expect to make a full income this way–this is not a W2 job, this is freelancing.
Paying for a subscription usually grants access to support and increased levels of support.
All platforms that I was able to join provide 10 years of storage for the files related to your e-journal, and as far as I can tell all give you an option to download your journal at any time just like you would set a physical journal on a shelf when it’s full.
All the platforms have some level of training available, with some requiring you to complete it in order to notarize and others allowing you to jump right in if you’re feeling confident.
All of the GNW platforms allow for pre-tagging documents before the clients are in the session.

FAQ: How can this make any money when I’m only allowed to charge $10 per stamp? Can I charge platform fees to my clients?

The short answer is, you don’t charge directly. MINA training told us we cannot charge platform fees to the clients. You pick an option that allows pass-thru billing where the client pays the platform whatever the platform asks for and the platform pays you out whatever they offer; just like how loan signings are usually package payouts, not itemized.

BUT! With larger appointments–more signers and/or more notarizations–there is a point where it becomes more lucrative to bill directly and charge only the $10 per seal. Where that point is depends on the session fees. For Blue Notary, it’s between 4-6 notarizations depending on the number of signers.

Individual Platform Notes:

CyberizeIt: I gather this platform was one of the first available and primarily used by experienced notaries, and it shows.

Free option allowing use of the platform for most transactions with only session fees; allows billing both within and outside the platform. A paid membership allows for advanced trainings, group zoom meetings, personal coaching meetings, and business building classes (all depending on membership level). $25 a month includes more support, job board access, and these session fees : $3.00 per signer up to 10; First Notary Act is FREE; $1.00 per additional Notary Act; $5.00 per witness supplied by the platform. (I’m not finding the free account session fees, it’s probably in a video somewhere.) You have to bring your own seal from another platform or build it yourself, and they have training on how to do it in Canva.

While onboarding, I decided I really disliked their workflow. First and foremost, you need two logins for two different websites and a third for Adobe that’s provided through the company. Plus your digital certificate, purchased separately. You’re required to upload the document to be notarized before inviting the signers and setting the appointment session. My biggest issue with the workflow was that you have to send an email to each signer separately at each phase of the signing in order for them to join and sign. And I’ll be honest, I lost track of what was happening with switching into and out of Adobe because I was already frustrated with the process by then. It’s not very friendly to switching devices, so you would be limiting yourself to doing RONs on one computer. It’s definitely the cheapest option, but it’s also the one that requires you to be the most technologically adept. If you make a mistake you have to start the session over from scratch so you want to be very well versed in notarizations in general.

NotaryCam: The $99 payment just to onboard and still paying $15 a month plus session fees was out of my price range when there were other options. I didn’t sign up so I can’t say anything about their system.

Notary Hub: $19 a month gets you access to the platform with unlimited sessions at fixed pricing for the client ($21 for the first seal, $15 for each additional seal) with no session fees, and 75% of that price goes to you directly and immediately minus a 5% processing fee (which you’d pay for any online payment processor). You also have the option to set your own fees and pay a flexible monthly amount according to how many sessions you use, with a maximum monthly price of $50 if you go over 20 sessions in a month. Add a $60 yearly document signing certificate for security, if you don’t have one from elsewhere. And of course you can buy a year or two at a time to reduce your monthly costs. I didn’t join so I can’t speak to workflow or technical difficulties.

PandaDocs: On the surface, paying $15 per session as a brand new notary sounds appealing.. No monthly costs, tons of integrations with other business services, they even give you a free session, and they allow multiple signers per session. The problem is, the terminology wasn’t clear on whether I had used that session or not after I had tried a few times to complete a notarization and I did end up buying another one when I didn’t need to. You can bulk buy sessions for a lower fee per session. We kept running into technological difficulties: video not working, sound not working, knowledge-based authentication not working, and if we made it that far not a single person’s ID would scan in. So I never did successfully complete a notary session there. Then I had to request a refund for the session I had paid for up front, and it took a lot of back-and-forth for them to understand what I was even asking.

You’re required to upload the document to be notarized before inviting the signers and setting the appointment session. If you make a mistake during pre-tagging that you discover during the signing, you have to start over from scratch.

Secured Signing: $389/year with no monthly option. Includes 50 “credits” which are equal to $1 apiece and cover your first $50 in session fees, with limits to session duration. A single signer, single seal session would cost $10 in session fees. Additional “credits” must be purchased BEFORE a signing session. Looks like all billing happens outside the platform.

Signix: $449 per year, includes your digital certificate, covers “a minimum of 5 transactions per month” which appears to mean it includes 5 transactions and additional transactions are $10 apiece. Each transaction includes one seal, with additional seals billed at $5 each. These are session fees–You bill outside the platform.

Blue Notary: A free account lets you bill through the platform, and they pay out immediately. You’re limited to one signer per session at a free account level. At least for now, you get a free seal & digital certificate even on the free plan (it's labeled "early adopters so I'm assuming they will charge separately for those at some point).

The Pro Hybrid plan is $27 per month, and of course cheaper by the year. (If you cancel during the first month they give you half off two months, and thereafter cancelling gives you a variety of offers off the next couple months.) If you bill through the platform, meaning Blue Notary sets the rates and pays you out, you get a higher payout than a free account. If you invoice the client on your own, you can charge whatever you want and you pay session fees . Allows multiple signers, branded emails, and open calls.

This is the one with which I have the most experience and the only one I have successfully completed a notarization on. It’s very easy for the notary and the client. Any technical difficulties are usually cleared up through reloading the page – and if the client has passed KBA & ID verification they won’t have to do it again (unlike PandaDoc and CyberizeIt). If the client doesn’t want to send you the document ahead of time they can upload it themselves, which helps everyone feel secure. The client can add their own check marks or date stamps as you go. If you discover halfway through signing that you made a mistake pre-tagging, or if you didn’t get a chance to pre-tag, you can add fields as you go. My biggest gripe is that I can’t add a signature field for myself while pre-tagging, so I have to carefully add my signature each time as we go through the documents (which is only a problem because you have the ability to click a button to go to the next entry field, so it’s easy to miss a signature). The chat support has been phenomenal and fast every time I’ve needed it.

Proof (formerly Notarize): I clicked the link for notaries to join, but my account is not a notary account. I even tried with a different email address to make sure I had done the right process, and the same thing happened. I’ve never received a response to my support requests. In early 2025, the online support groups for RONs have had a significant increase of posts complaining about technical difficulties, support requests without responses, and incorrect billing without responses. I would be concerned at this point that the platform has been abandoned so if you have used it before, I would download all available data as soon as possible.

NotaryLive: is not currently onboarding notaries in Michigan. Access to the software is free, compensation for each session varies.

Digital Delivery: is not in the chart because they got back to me minutes before posting. They have a very detailed contract to onboard as a notary, which costs money, there's a software access fee, and the session fees are $25 apiece. They seem geared toward real estate signing services rather than independent notaries but I didn't see that explicitly while skimming the contract.

I tried to do a comparison chart. If anyone has information on the missing data from platforms I am not on, PLEASE feel free to send me an email at info@onmywaymichigan.com and I’ll update the chart. Thanks!

The following companies do not allow general notary work. Real estate/loan signings only.

Amrock:

As of February 2025, Amrock had minimal need for new signing agents. They requested an email if you meet all requirements below, which I didn’t. Onboarding prerequisites:

Minimum one year loan signing experience
$25,000 in E&O Insurance
Ability to complete Remote Online Notarization and In Person Electronic Notarization (if applicable in your state)
Background check and membership with the National Notary Association (NNA)

Smart Notary/Stavvy: Serving Mortgage & Home Equity lenders, Title & Settlement companies, and Real Estate Law firms. Does not work with independent notaries.

One Span: “We currently sell our software for businesses to host their own notaries and clients needing notarization.” – Can only join as an employee of a company that has purchased the software.

Docusign: “Docusign Notary is a good fit for enterprises and organizations that notarize 200 or more documents per year. Organizations also must supply their own notaries public, and we’ve found that many larger organizations have notaries public already employed or contracted who can use Docusign Notary to complete notarial acts.” Cannot join as an independent notary.

DocMagic: “our platform does not support general notary work – only real-estate closing transactions initiated by title/settlement agents who are chosen by our Lenders.”

Expedite/DocVerify: “Docverify has been decommissioned, and our clients have been migrated to Simplifile”

eNotaryLog: This is software that gets integrated within other apps/computer software; it’s not a direct platform itself.

Qualia: “only works with Title & Escrow Companies & Title Insurance Underwriters”

Pavaso: “is for notaries working with a signing agency, title company, real estate attorney firm or lender (collectively referred to herein as “approved company or approved companies”) already working with Pavaso. Pavaso does NOT support notaries who are not associated with an approved company already working with Pavaso.”

The following companies have not responded to my email asking how to join, but all information suggests they only work with companies rather than independent notaries.

SimplySecureSign

NTC (PerfectDocs)

Pactima

Can I Accept This ID, or Not?

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 22:38:36 GMT

It’s important for notaries to stay on top of the changes to forms of identification. This is the most important component to our job – identifying the signer. Michigan law 55.285 Performance of notarial acts; scope; verification, Sec 25. 6 (c) states: A notary public has satisfactory evidence that an individual is the individual whose signature is on a record if that individual is any of the following:

(a) Personally known to the notary public.

(b) Identified upon the oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known by the notary public and who personally knows the individual.

(c) Identified on the basis of a current license, identification card, or record issued by a federal or state government that contains the individual's photograph and signature.

This article relates to (c). The notary must identify the signer based on their current license or ID card or record that is issued by a state or federal government , and it must have, so it can be read, the individual’s photograph and signature.

We are all familiar with a driver’s license and state ID card. That’s the easy one. So, let’s discuss other ID cards that we might think we can accept, but we cannot.

But first, we must address current vs valid. In my experience, asking if the signer has valid ID leads to arriving and finding that the driver’s license is expired. The law says CURRENT, not VALID. Therefore, we must be clear when communicating with the client that the ID must not be expired, as the definition of current is belonging to the present time . This translates to not expired . A better way to ask is, “Does the signer have unexpired ID?”

Next, let’s talk about “a” state or federal government. The first operative word here is “a” . Michigan law does not say we can only accept Michigan or even US identification. If you can read the ID, and you can communicate with the signer, and the notarial block is in English, you can notarize using the foreign ID, as long as it follows the same law: State or Federal issued.

Now, on to the last part: that contains the individual's photograph and signature . Both the signature and the photograph must be on the ID. There doesn’t need to be an expiration date, as some IDs don’t expire. Take military veteran ID, for example. They don’t expire. Passports, driver’s licenses, and ID cards do expire.

Speaking of Passports: When a person applies for a passport in the US, they have a choice of a passport book or card, or both. They are the same application, but the results make the difference in being able to be used as ID. When a passport book is received, the owner signs it, therefore it can be used as identification by a notary. But when a passport card is received, it is already laminated, and it does not get signed. Therefore, a notary cannot accept a passport card as identification, as it is missing the signature.

And finally, we need to discuss Military ID. In 2020, the military began rolling out a new method of identifying military members. In 2024, all military members – including spouses and other dependents, and new veterans – began receiving the new ID cards when they needed a new one. These cards have a chip in them and are not signed, so, we cannot use the NEW military ID cards as identification, because they are missing the signature.

As a bonus, let’s talk for a moment about CPLs – Concealed Pistol License. These are not to be used as valid ID, as they are not issued by the state or federal government. They are issued by the county, and therefore do not qualify for use by a notary for identification purposes.

If you have more questions about this topic, or anything related to notarizing in Michigan, consider our Notary Basic Education class for $59 at https://www.michigannotaryassociation.org/

Group rates are available for groups of 6 or more. Contact LHocker@MichiganNotaryAssociation.org for more information.

There are THREE Types of Notarization in Michigan

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 22:59:38 GMT

Because learning how to notarize has been largely a game of telephone, many Michigan notaries, no matter how long they have been notarizing, have no idea that we have three types of notarizations. Many states only have two. And when notaries learn how to notarize from social media, this is the most common misunderstanding they come away with. The three types of notarization in Michigan are:

Acknowledgement
Jurat
Witness

What is a Witness notarization?

In order to fully understand the Witness notarization, we must first understand what an Acknowledgement and a Jurat are.

The most common notarization is…truthfully, there isn’t a “most common” type. Let’s review all of them, one at a time.

A notarial block is the only part of the document that a notary needs to read and understand, aside from the title of the document. Why? Because the contents of the document are the signer’s concern, the notarial block is the notary’s concern.

Sometimes a notarial block will have words like “Acknowledged” or “Subscribed and Sworn”. Those are key words for a notary to know how to navigate this notarization.

An Acknowledgement is, essentially, the signer saying - or acknowledging – that he has signed the document. In this instance, the signer can have signed on that date; on a past date; whether with the notary or not. It’s the signer saying, “yep, that’s my signature!”

The notary will properly complete the notarial block, will sign, and stamp near the notary signature. The stamp is used to show all the legal credentials of the notary and should look like this, obviously with the notary’s information.

A Jurat will say “Subscribed and sworn”, and in this instance, the signer must sign while in the presence of the notary, on the same date as the notary notarizes it. The date in the notarial block must match the date the signer signs. The notary must swear the signer in, under an oath that goes like this: Both the notary and the signer must raise their right hand. (Obvious concessions if one or the other physically can’t raise their right hand.) The oath must begin with “Do you solemnly swear or affirm…” AND…the signer must verbally respond. So, verbal oath, verbal response. Once the oath is administered, the notary will properly complete the notarial block, will sign, and stamp near the notary signature. The stamp is used to show all the legal credentials of the notary and should look like this, obviously with the notary’s information.

But what is a Witness notarization?

Witnessing a signature is defined as when the notary watches you sign. The signer must be with the notary when he signs the document. There is no notarial block used for a Witness notarization. It’s simply: The signer signs; the notary signs, stamps, and dates. And it’s done.

All of these, if completed correctly, are valid notarizations for Michigan notaries.

Typically, one might use a Witness notarization for a True Copy Statement or a hand written letter.

If a signer has a document they need to have their signature notarized on, the notary must, by law, ask the signer which type of notarization they want. They must explain the three types and have the signer choose. It is the unauthorized practice of law for the notary to choose.

College Students: Voting is Fundamental – Even When You Are Out of State on Election Day

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 22:15:37 GMT

Federal laws govern voting rights, but state laws govern how an individual can vote. Your voter registration is based on your place of residence. College students may have the option to register to vote either in your hometown or in the state where they attend college, depending on their state's residency laws. While students might live in multiple places, they are only permitted to vote in one.

If you're a college student studying outside of your home state, absentee voting is the most convenient way for you to cast your ballot. Absentee voting allows you to participate in elections even if you can't make it to your home polling place. However, some states require additional steps, like a notary or witness signature, to complete your absentee ballot. Here's what you need to know and how our website can help you find a notary for your voting needs.

As a college student, you may be registered to vote in your home state but attending school here in Michigan. This makes absentee voting essential. However, depending on where you're registered, your state may require a notary or witness to validate your absentee ballot. Knowing the rules is crucial so your vote counts.

Finding an educated and ethical notary can be challenging. The Michigan Notary Association makes it easy. Go to https://www.michigannotaryassociation.org/find-a-notary to locate a notary who can go to you. If your city or county isn’t listed, call or text 313-444-0614 for a direct referral.

States Requiring Notary Signatures for Absentee Ballots

States That Allow Witness Signatures

How Our Website Can Help

We understand that finding a notary can be overwhelming, especially when you're in a different state from your registered voting address. Our website simplifies the process by connecting you with certified notaries in your area who can help you meet your absentee ballot requirements.

Whether you're in Michigan for college or studying out of state, we’re here to make sure your vote is counted! Don’t let the added step of getting a notary or witness stop you from participating in this election.

College students have a powerful voice in shaping the future, and absentee voting makes sure that distance doesn’t stop you from making your vote count. Visit https://www.michigannotaryassociation.org/find-a-notary to find a notary today and ensure a smooth voting process this election season! If you need more information on absentee voting process for your home state visit the Vote.Gov website.

Is a Printed Signature Acceptable and Legal?

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 19:00:41 GMT

In 2010, the powers that governed Michigan decided that cursive does not need to be taught in schools anymore. So, it makes sense that many people did not learn cursive, and therefore, do not sign their name in cursive. But is their signature legal? Yes, it is legal.

What is a signature? According to Wikipedia, “a signature is a handwritten depiction of someone's name, nickname, or even a simple "X" or other mark that a person writes on documents as a proof of identity and intent.” Notice it doesn’t mention cursive?

What notaries don’t realize is that MiLona is not all encompassing for the laws that govern us. We sometimes must look beyond Michigan Law of Notarial Acts 238 of 2003 to find the answers to questions we might have. For instance:

Michigan Law MCL - Section 8.3q “Written” and “in writing” construed (interpreted)

The words "written" and "in writing" shall be construed (interpreted) to include printing, engraving, and lithographing; except that if the written signature of a person is required by law, the signature shall be the proper handwriting of the person or, if the person is unable to write, the person's proper mark, which may be, unless otherwise expressly prohibited by law, a clear and classifiable fingerprint of the person made with ink or another substance.

History: Add. 1959, Act 189, Imd. Eff. July 22, 1959 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 266 , Imd. Eff. Dec. 16, 2005

However, this situation is actually in MiLona, right on page 2.

55.267 Definitions; S to V. Sec. 7. (b) "Signature" means an individual's written or printed name, electronic signature, or mark, attached to or logically associated with a contract or other record and executed, adopted, or made by the individual with the intent to sign the record.

Another instance of MiLona not being all encompassing for notaries is, to learn how to fill out a notarial block properly, one must go to the section of the law that governs deeds.

MCL 565.201 Sec 1 states (b) A discrepancy does (can) not exist between the name of each person as printed, typewritten, or stamped beneath his or her signature and the name as recited in the acknowledgment or jurat on the instrument.

It is in this same section that reads:

(a) The name of each person purporting to execute the instrument is legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped beneath the original signature or mark of the person, and the signature or mark is in black or dark blue ink.

Now let’s talk about “ink” . Gel is water based, and therefore not preferred for legacy documents. The law says black or dark blue ink . Notaries typically default to blue, to distinguish their signature from other markings on the page. There had been a law stating the notary must use black ink, but that was repealed in 2013. As for gel “ink”, it is wonderful to write with, however, it doesn’t hold up for legacy documents. Some gel inks are better than others, but how do we know which is which?

Ballpoint ink is oil-based, and preferred because it won’t wash or fade if exposed to the elements. Gel can fade, and will run if exposed to water, so therefore, it is a best practice to use ballpoint ink, not gel.

Fun fact: Michigan has a bill pending that will require schools to teach cursive, again. It is House Bill No. 4064, and it has passed in the House, and has been referred to the Committee on Education.

Click here to learn more about Michigan Notary Laws, and how to incorporate them into your notary career. https://www.michigannotaryassociation.org/#Memberships

Why Michigan Notaries Deserve Mandatory Training

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 21:56:12 GMT

It’s understandable that notaries wonder if they are doing things correctly, because the state doesn’t train us. The state mandates that new notaries read the law, but they don’t add all the information to the law that we need to notarize properly. For instance, how to fill out a notarial block is in the part of the law for mortgage deeds and is not included in the Michigan Law of Notarial Acts.

It only makes sense that notaries understand that the entire Michigan Compiled Laws applies to us, and that the excerpt they call MiLona is only part of what we need to know.

It also makes sense that notaries don’t understand, because I have been trying to get the Office of the Great Seal to answer my questions pertaining to the interpretation of MiLona laws, and they won’t. I have asked attorneys too, and some won’t touch my questions, because they don’t interpret the law.

Then who does? If interpretation of the law is left to notaries, and what goes wrong is only checked on when someone complains, then being a notary is just a wildcard game.

The Michigan Notary Association has been working tirelessly with lawmakers and attorneys and registers of deeds to understand the law, get answers, and bring those answers to all Michigan notaries. From day one, we have been dedicated to the education of all things notary. We are expecting our first Bill numbers this week and will begin the process of raising awareness to the lawmakers who vote for or against legislation.

We are asking for mandatory education for notaries. We are asking for all notaries applying for a commission to pass an examination. If this succeeds, we will become the 32 ^nd state to require either education, an examination, or both.

I can’t think of any other job that doesn’t require an education or training of some sort. Yet a notary, whose primary responsibility is to help deter fraud, has no mandated education.

If you are craving an education so you can avoid using your surety bond, you can now get a proper education at MINA’s new Copper level. It’s the same class as the full membership receives, and the exam is included. Click here to get started.

If you are one of those people who don’t think education is needed, I challenge you to take our mini exam, and see if you can pass it. Email me at LHocker@MichiganNotaryAssociation.org for more information.

The Contents of the Document are Not Your Concern… And Not Your Business

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 18:42:28 GMT

Confidentiality is the most basic principle of notarial practice. By focusing on your core duties of verifying identity, awareness, and willingness, and by avoiding any unnecessary reading of the documents, notaries can maintain the highest standards of privacy and trust. This not only protects their clients but also preserves the integrity and reputation of the notarial profession.

Confidentiality is not just a professional courtesy—it's an ethical obligation. Notaries serve as impartial witnesses in the signing of important documents, but their role extends beyond mere verification. One of the cornerstones of their duty is to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of their clients' information.

Confidentiality is a non-negotiable principle. Your clients trust you with paperwork that contains their sensitive personal and financial information, and it is imperative that this trust is not breached. The easiest way to not breach this trust is to not read the document, ever. Remember, the contents of the document are not your concern. You will never be asked, in court or otherwise, to tell anyone what the paperwork said. You will be asked if you issued an oath, if and how you verified the signer’s identity, if your signers were aware of what they signed, and if they were signing willingly or under duress.

It is not the duty of the notary to guarantee any of the information in the document. There was a trend for a while where the notary fanned the document and stamped or embossed across all pages. In the State of Michigan’s handbook, it states that a notary Cannot apply their notary stamp or notary embosser pages to show a page belongs within the document. Every stamp or embossing is considered a notarization and requires witnessing a signature and having all the elements of a proper notarization.

Notaries must resist the temptation to delve into the specifics of the documents they notarize. Reading the contents of a document is not only unnecessary but also inappropriate. The notary's role is strictly to authenticate the signing process, not to read or know the details of the document. By maintaining this boundary, notaries uphold the integrity of their profession and the confidentiality of their clients.

Your Signature Is Your Personal Fraud Deterrent

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 09:45:51 GMT

Identity verification is the main resource for fraud prevention for various transactions and legal agreements, and your signature plays a pivotal role. Each time you sign your name, your signature is the binding mark of your identity and consent. Because of this, it is important to remember that your signature must match the one on your identification documents.

Why Does Your Signature Need to Match Your ID?

Your signature is a legal representation of your identity. When you sign a document, it signifies that you agree to the terms within. If the signature on your document doesn't match the one on your ID, it can raise questions about the authenticity and your intent. Matching signatures ensure that you are indeed the person who is approving or agreeing to the document's contents.

One of the primary reasons institutions require a matching signature is to prevent fraud. If someone tries to impersonate you or forge your signature, a mismatch between their attempt and your official ID signature can be a red flag. This safeguard helps protect your assets and your personal information from unauthorized use.

Many transactions require the verification of your identity through your signature. Banks, government offices, and notary publics compare the signature on your ID with the one you provide at the time of the transaction. A consistent signature across all your documents helps in smooth and quick verification, saving you from potential delays and complications.

Maintaining a consistent signature across all your documents simplifies record-keeping. It allows entities to track and verify your history of agreements and transactions accurately. This consistency is crucial for personal records, legal documents, and financial accounts.

If your signature has evolved over time, consider updating your ID to reflect your current signature. This can prevent discrepancies in future verifications.

When signing important documents, take your time to ensure your signature matches your ID. Avoid quick or careless signing, especially in formal or legal settings.

Ensuring your signature matches your ID might seem like a simple task, but it’s a vital part of safeguarding your identity and maintaining trust in legal and financial systems. Keep your signature consistent, and you’ll avoid many of the pitfalls that come with identity verification.

The Hidden Cost of Discrimination in Business

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 18:27:44 GMT

Discrimination remains a common issue that can significantly undermine the success of any small business. Discrimination, whether based on race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristic, has profound and far-reaching effects on a business.

Whether the discrimination is in person, shown through your advertising, or even just a simple post on your social media page, you are at risk of losing clients if you put your own beliefs above those of your potential clients. You will lose a good half of your clients if you can’t remain neutral about other people’s choices for their own selves, and if you can’t understand and accept that not everyone looks or acts like you do.

Types of Discrimination

Racial and Ethnic Discrimination
Gender Discrimination
Age Discrimination
Disability Discrimination
LGBTQ+ Discrimination
Religious Discrimination
Political Discrimination
Body Modification Discrimination

Michigan Law allows a notary to refuse to notarize for any reason, except discrimination. While many notaries will not discriminate in person, their online presence depicting the intolerance of any of the above could cause a negative impact on their business.

Impact on Business

Legal and Financial Consequences
Reputation Damage
Missed Opportunities

It is always best to stay neutral, and to be inviting to and accepting of all people. Not only will your business prosper, your mindset will be calmer, and your anxiety will be lower.

A Friendly Guide on How to Identify Signers

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 18:49:52 GMT

Without a lot of fanfare, let's dive into how to identify signers for notarization.

Identifying signers isn't just a formality; it's the notary's responsibility to ensure that the person signing the document is who they claim to be. This prevents fraud and maintains the integrity of the notarization process.

Government-Issued IDs: The most common form of identification is through state or federally issued identification. This ID must have a photograph of the signer and the signature of the signer. This includes:

Driver's license
Passport
State ID card
Military ID

Ironically, even though the method of obtaining a passport card is identical to obtaining a passport book, a passport card does not have a signature, and therefore cannot be used as identification.

The notary must ensure that the name on the ID matches the name on the document. There might be some variations of the name. Think Steve vs Steven. Or First Middle Last name, vs First and Last name. Those are acceptable, if all the other steps are taken.

Steps:

Examine the ID Carefully: Look for signs of tampering or forgery. Check the expiration date – an expired ID is not valid for notarization purposes in Michigan.
Engage the signer in a conversation. This helps you get to know them better and also helps for you to determine if they are confident or nervous. A person presenting stolen or fraudulent ID will likely have a nervousness to their demeanor.
Compare the Signature: This is easiest to do if you keep a journal. Whether bound by law or not, this one step can help the notary in so many ways. When the journal is filled out prior to the signing of any documents, it is easy to fill out your journal, have the signer sign the journal, and while you’re still holding the ID card, you can compare the signature. Not all signatures will be totally consistent, but you can see a pattern.
Fingerprint or Thumbprint: In some jurisdictions, notaries are required to take the signer's print. Michigan does not mention fingerprinting for notaries. But when I investigated fingerprinting for notaries, I spoke with Barb Self, Departmental Analyst, Applicant Processing and Modification Unit, Michigan State Police. Barb explained that taking a fingerprint of a signer is a fruitless effort as without a fingerprint being on file with a government unit, there is no way to prove that print belongs to the signer without a subpoena.
When IDs is Expired or Non-Existent: A Credible Witness can be used if a signer doesn’t have ID, or if it is expired. The Credible Witness must personally know the signer and the notary. The Credible Witness would act as the ID for the signer. The Credible Witness would be recorded in the notary’s journal, and sign it, as would the signer. The Credible Witness would be issued an oath attesting to the identity of the signer.
Personally Known. With over 100,000 notaries in the state of Michigan, any person is bound to personally know a notary. If the notary knows the signer well, but is not closely related to the signer (laws apply) the notary can notarize without having to see ID.

A notary’s job is to prevent fraud. Without knowing how to properly identify a signer, fraud can prevail.

Always keep in mind, we notarize signatures, not documents. The contents of the document are not the responsibility of the notary. Verifying the identity of the signer is the notary's responsibility.

Notaries Can Have a Perfect Mobile Business!

Sun, 19 May 2024 19:02:33 GMT

The world today is vastly different from the past. Since 2020, people have learned more about themselves and are more interested in navigating life their way, instead of the old status quo.

One of the changes people have made is to do less business in person, and more online or on the fly. Standing in line, waiting for attention isn’t something many people want. Consider self-checkouts. They have become so popular that people will choose them instead of a cashier, so they don’t have to interact.

People are also not using their local banks and credit unions as much. Many branches are closing, because people are doing their banking online, or via the ATM. The number one choice, if available, is online banking. They can deposit checks using their cell phone, and we have become almost a cashless society. People use money moving apps like PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, and Zelle. Who needs cash anymore? Who needs a bank? Some do, but most don’t.

Mobile notaries are on the rise due to this same thought process. They can meet a mobile notary at a public place, or the notary can go to the signer’s home or office. People love this convenience, because they don’t have to go anywhere. They get to show off their home, if they want, or meet the notary outside if they want, or meet at a coffee shop if they want. The notary can charge a travel fee, if allowed by their state, plus the per notarization fee. It’s a win-win.

So how do you get started? First, make sure if you are a notary for your work, that your surety bond is in your name only. Otherwise, every notarial act you perform will be the responsibility of both your employer and you. Get a separate bond if this is the case.

Next, make sure to get a proper education. Mobile notaries see many different documents and many different signing situations. They need to assess awareness and willingness at a much higher level in most cases.

The 65+ population is growing and will continue to grow for the next 5 years. You can start your set up now, and in 2-3 years have a lucrative business. Just like any business, starting a mobile notary business takes time to grow.

The Michigan Notary Association has a great program to get you started with education and building a foundation for your mobile notary business. Check it out here: https://www.michigannotaryassociation.org

The Importance of Bedside Manner for Notaries

Mon, 13 May 2024 12:00:02 GMT

Sometimes we do what comes naturally, and sometimes we must use our acting skills. Usually, when a person is using their acting skills, it is apparent that they are acting. Developing a natural outlook on life takes time for those who might have had some tough experiences in life. Always being on the defense is what comes naturally to some. Always being kind comes naturally to others.

I cannot say that my life has been easy. If you know me well, you know I have been through things that no one should ever have to go through. I could be bitter, and I was, for a very long time. But I softened when my parents started showing signs of aging. The things that our elderly population must endure are things no one should ever have to go through. This is a time to shine! To celebrate each year! We don’t know how long we have on this earth, so make the most of it!

People who are unable to get out of bed, or out of the house need us to help them. Family isn’t always prepared for what they are watching. For many people, this is the first time they watched a loved one age. It’s hard! They don’t want to admit that mom and dad aren’t the strong leaders they once were. They want them to do the things they used to do, but sadly, they can’t.

In many instances, mom and dad think they still can. Their minds work fine, but their body has betrayed them. They are mad at their body. It’s all so hard to accept.

So, when a notary is called in to notarize for our elderly, we need to be able to chat with them, show compassion that the family doesn’t expect, and make a fast friend of the signer. Sometimes we are the only non-family-non-medical person they have seen in weeks. We can’t be in a hurry; we need to be patient.

Patience is a virtue, and I was blessed with patience from a very early age. Understanding is something I have had to develop. Acceptance is so much needed in the notary world, and I have figured that out too – with a lot of hard work.

When we have all three – Patience, Understanding, and Acceptance, we can put the family at ease; better assess the patient for willingness and awareness of what they are signing; and create a relationship with the family that will stick with them long after we get paid and leave.

When we exercise these attributes, we will be referred, we will get repeat business, and our business will thrive.

Invalid Notarizations – What could possibly go wrong?

Mon, 06 May 2024 13:00:23 GMT

It seems that everyone can be a notary, and with little to no direction from the state, how can anyone know if a notarization is done correctly if it’s not checked?

The problem arises when a notarization is presented and rejected because it’s incorrect. This causes a hardship for the signer and could cause financial harm. Notaries might not realize this, but the notary can be sued and made to provide restitution to the signer who lost money due to an invalid notarization that was, ultimately, rejected. Let’s go through a few things that went wrong for one Michigan signer.

The signer received a letter of rejection for the deed he was attempting to register.

In this case, there were seven errors on this document. Five of the seven errors are notary errors.

The name and expiration date of any notary public whose signature appears upon the instrument must be legibly printed, typed, or stamped on the instrument immediately beneath the signature of the notary public.
A discrepancy may not exist between the name of each person as legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped beneath their signature, and the name as recited in the acknowledgement or jurat on the instrument.
Date cannot be missing in the notary block.
The notary’s information is illegible.
Below the signature it states the notary is commissioned in (county) while the stamp shows (different county). These need to match.

All of these things could have been prevented had the notary had even the most basic education. Many notaries started being a notary just to close loans, during the refi boom of 2020-2021. Unfortunately, that was a title, fill in the blanks, sign and stamp situation. No one really learned how to notarize unless they took extra steps.

If you would like to take your notary business to the next level, join the Michigan Notary Association and become part of the educated and ethical team we have built. https://www.michigannotaryassociation.org/

Would You Hire You? Reflections on Notary Business Practices

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 20:52:03 GMT

As independent business owners, we often find ourselves on both sides of the hiring process. Whether we're engaging contractors, vendors, or other service providers, we inevitably assess their professionalism, reliability, and quality of service. But how often do we turn that critical eye inward and ask ourselves, "Would I Hire Me?"

In this blog post, we'll explore common frustrations we encounter when dealing with contractors, vendors and service providers, drawing parallels to our own notary business practices. By reflecting on these experiences and committing to improvement, we can elevate our abilities and enhance our service to clients.

The Mirror Effect:

Experiencing mediocre service from a service provider can be a frustrating ordeal. Consider the mechanic who claims to be skilled but lacks the necessary tools to complete the job efficiently, prolonging the repair process and inconveniencing the customer. Similarly, as notaries, our clients expect us to be equipped with the knowledge, skills, tools and resources needed to handle their documents promptly and accurately.

Furthermore, imagine discovering a little-known law that caps the amount a specific vendor can charge for a service, only to realize that your vendor has been overcharging you tenfold due to your lack of awareness. This scenario highlights the importance of transparency and integrity in business dealings—qualities that clients value in notaries as well.

The Challenge of Self-Reflection:

Asking ourselves, "Would I Hire Me?" requires honest self-assessment. It prompts us to examine our strengths and weaknesses as notaries and identify areas for improvement. Just as we expect contractors and vendors to deliver exceptional service, our clients have similar expectations of us.

So, why might we hesitate to hire another notary exactly like ourselves? Perhaps it's because we recognize areas where we need to "up our game." Whether it's improving our organizational skills to streamline the notarization process or enhancing our customer service approach to ensure client satisfaction, there's always room for growth.

Strategies for Improvement:

To ensure that the answer to "Would I Hire Me?" is a resounding yes, consider implementing the following strategies:

Embrace Feedback: Seek feedback from clients and colleagues to gain valuable insights into areas for improvement. Constructive criticism can be a catalyst for growth and improvement.
Invest in Education: Stay updated on notarial best practices, your state notary laws, and industry trends through continuous education and professional development opportunities.
Prioritize Communication: Maintain open and transparent communication with clients, providing regular updates and addressing any concerns promptly to foster trust and confidence.
Enhance Efficiency: Streamline workflows, leverage technology tools, and implement time-management strategies to maximize productivity and deliver timely service to clients.
Uphold Professional Standards: Adhere to ethical guidelines, maintain confidentiality, and strive for excellence in every aspect of the notarial process to uphold the integrity of the profession.

Conclusion:

As notaries, we have a responsibility to deliver exceptional service and uphold the integrity of the notarial process. By asking ourselves, "Would I Hire Me?" and committing to continuous improvement, we can elevate our abilities and exceed client expectations. Let's learn from the frustrations we encounter as consumers and strive to be the notary that others would enthusiastically hire.

Deborah Lowery is a contributing editor for the Michigan Notary Association blog. Deborah is the Vice President and co-Founder of the Michigan Notary Association, and runs her own mobile notary business, On the Go Notary Pro LLC .

Happy Anniversary MINA from the MGA

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 20:24:35 GMT

Our journey started in 2021. One year ago today, we took a leap and officially formed the Michigan Notary Association.

The Benefits of MINA

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 10:50:52 GMT

Why Join the Michigan Notary Association?

People who are serious about their career choices, even if it’s a “side gig”, seek support from others who possess the knowledge regarding that career. While it’s easy to jump on Facebook or Reddit and ask questions one at a time, or even ask a broad question, like “I just got my notary, now what?”, the truth of the matter is, learning how to perform that job only as you approach a situation where you don’t know the answer shows your lack of professionalism about what you expect people to pay you for.

The most powerful way to portray your professionalism and seriousness about the income path you have chosen is through membership in a professional association like the Michigan Notary Association. MINA offers a plethora of benefits that can propel individuals to new heights in their careers.

Professional associations like the Michigan Notary Association (MINA) are dedicated to your ongoing growth and support of their members. We provide access to resources such as workshops, webinars, seminars, and videos – short and long - aimed at keeping notaries informed of the best practices, how you can help prevent fraud, and changes to the laws. If you haven’t already come across the new Michigan driver’s license, Introducing Michigan's New Drivers License Design What Notaries Need To Know is a good read for all notaries.

The founders of MINA are advocating for stricter laws for notaries. A notary’s main job is to prevent fraud. By advocating for laws and digging in to find out what is legal and what is not, we are able to help you do your job better. Advocating for all notaries is foremost in the mission of the Michigan Notary Association. Being part of such advocacy efforts benefits individual members and contributes to the ability of the notary to do their job professionally and accurately.

An accurate notarization involves more than just a signature and a stamp. An invalid notarization could land a notary in court for causing financial harm to the signer. 13 Reasons Notaries Could Be Sued.

One of the most significant advantages of joining a professional association is the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers, industry leaders, and experts in your field. The Michigan Notary Association’s Facebook page, MINA Chat https://www.facebook.com/groups/minachat is open to all Michigan notaries, and while we encourage a notary education, we are happy to help with simple questions. We do encourage the MINA Chat members to join the Michigan Notary Association and take the educational course that is offered as part of the membership. MINA offers both monthly payment options, and a less expensive annual option.

MINA provides a sense of belonging to a community of peers who share common goals, challenges, and experiences and has the most supportive notaries in Michigan.

You can join the Michigan Notary Association, and become the go-to notary in your community, by going here: https://michigannotaryassociation.com/

Coming soon: Group classes for those who work in a notary forward setting like UPS, Financial Institutions, Title and Real Estate, and Law Firms.

Best Practices for Notaries

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 17:42:14 GMT

Michigan law is clear, notaries in Michigan do not have to keep a journal and they don’t have to use an ink stamp. However, just as clear is that the recipient of the document does not have to accept it without that ink stamp. And if you get called into court regarding your notarization, your journal will come in handy.

Here are some best practices for notarizing signatures:

Before notarizing for a signer, the notary must confirm their identity. This often involves verifying the government-issued identification, such as a driver's license or passport.

The signer must always be in the physical presence of the notary while the notary is signing, stamping, and adding the date after the signature. The notary must always date the notarization for the date they are notarizing. The notarization cannot be back or forward dated.

The notary does not have to understand the document, but the signer does. Take the time to assure that the signer understands what he is signing. The contents of the document are not the concern of the notary. You are not notarizing saying that you have verified the contents of the document. You notarize saying you verified the identity of the signer.

The notary must make sure the signer is not being coerced or forced to sign the document. If you, the notary, feels the signer is under any sort of signing duress, you should halt the notarization. In some cases, you should alert authorities of what is happening with this signer.

Sign Consistently. Your signature on your notarization must match the signature you provided on your application for commission.

Record Keeping is important to cover your butt. A journal is not required, but since your job is the first line of defense against fraud, anyone can challenge a signature that you notarized. Having your journal to show that you were with that signer helps you prove this.

Laws can change! Make sure you download and read the Michigan Law of Notarial Acts to know what changes have been made. Follow the Michigan Notary Association to stay up to date.

If you have questions, or you have doubts, and you are a member of the Michigan Notary Association , you can utilize the hotline at any time, to get the answers to your questions.

Remember, you are responsible for your own best practices. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Answering Calls and Texts Is Essential for Success

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 18:14:29 GMT

In the highly competitive world of notarizations, every opportunity counts. Whether you're a new notary just starting out, or a seasoned notary who has become comfortable in the business you created, one thing remains true: If you want to make money, you must respond. In today’s world, that means answering your phone. If you miss a call, call them back.

Just as important, if you are part of a referral network, adding your referral partner’s contact information to your phone is a great way to know if the caller is legit.

Signers need you to respond when they need you. Otherwise, they are moving on to the next notary. With over 130,000 notaries in the state of Michigan alone, you have some real competition. You made a commitment to being a notary in Michigan, and people have choices. Do what you need to do to be the notary they prefer.

Obviously, you can’t be available 24/7. And sometimes you are with one signer when another one calls. The solution to this is to have a great outgoing message for your voicemail. In your custom recorded voicemail, it’s a good idea to have it be:

Your own voice
Thank the caller
Let them know you will call them back
Offer to them that they can text you if they don’t want to leave a voicemail
Say “Thank you” at the end of your message

In today’s world, what matters to you also matters to the caller. Politeness, responsiveness, and professionalism show that you are trustworthy. Having this plan makes people want to do business with you.

Outgoing Voicemail Tips:

Write your script and practice it
Sound natural
Be in a quiet place when recording
Record in a carpeted room so there’s no echo
Speak plainly and loud enough so you can be heard
Make it short and to the point
Listen to it, don’t just trust that you did it right

Every interaction matters in the notary world. By prioritizing responsiveness, you demonstrate professionalism, build trust, and position yourself for success in an increasingly competitive environment.

Don’t be more afraid of talking to a scammer than you are of the possibility of making money.

The Power of Community: Why Michigan Notaries Need Like-Minded Connections

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 17:52:13 GMT

In the bustling world of notarial duties, Michigan notaries stand as pillars of reliability and integrity. Yet, behind every notary's stamp lies a web of challenges, intricacies, and moments that call for support and understanding. In the heart of this dynamic lies the indispensable need for a community of like-minded individuals. Why is such a community essential, particularly for Michigan notaries?

Professional Growth and Learning

A community of like-minded Michigan notaries provides an invaluable platform for continuous learning and professional development. Through shared experiences, discussions, and knowledge exchange, notaries can stay updated with the latest regulations, techniques, and best practices. Whether it's navigating complex legal nuances or mastering new technology, the collective wisdom of the community serves as a beacon for individual growth.

Support in Challenging Times

Notarial duties often entail encounters with challenging situations, legal dilemmas, or ethical conundrums. During such times, having a supportive community can make all the difference. Whether seeking advice, guidance, or simply a listening ear, knowing that fellow notaries understand the intricacies of the profession can provide immense reassurance and strength.

Networking Opportunities

Networking is a cornerstone of professional success, and for Michigan notaries, a like-minded community offers unparalleled networking opportunities. By connecting with peers, notaries can forge meaningful relationships, explore collaboration possibilities, and even discover new avenues for career advancement. Whether it's sharing referrals, collaborating on projects, or simply building camaraderie, the bonds formed within the community can open doors to endless possibilities.

Advocacy and Collective Voice

In an ever-evolving legal landscape, notaries in Michigan need a collective voice to advocate for their interests and address common challenges. A unified community can work together to champion legislative reforms, address industry concerns, and ensure that the profession remains robust and respected. By standing together, Michigan notaries can wield greater influence and effect positive change within the legal framework.

Sense of Belonging and Purpose

Beyond the professional benefits, a community of like-minded individuals provides a sense of belonging and shared purpose. In a profession often characterized by solitude and individual responsibility, knowing that one is part of a larger community can instill a sense of solidarity and empowerment. Whether celebrating successes, overcoming obstacles, or simply sharing camaraderie, the community fosters a sense of unity and mutual support among Michigan notaries.

In the tapestry of Michigan notarial practice, the importance of a community of like-minded individuals cannot be overstated. From fostering professional growth and providing support in challenging times to offering networking opportunities and advocating for collective interests, the benefits are manifold. By coming together, Michigan notaries can navigate the complexities of their profession with confidence, camaraderie, and a shared sense of purpose. After all, in the journey of notarial duties, having a community to rely on can make all the difference.

The Michigan Notary Association offers all of these important things. By joining the Michigan Notary Association , and being active within it, you are setting yourself up for continued success in a field that is highly competitive.

Leslie Hocker is a contributing editor for the Michigan Notary Association blog. Leslie is the President and co-Founder of the Michigan Notary Association, and runs her own mobile notary business, Mobile Notary of Macomb, in Chesterfield Michigan.

Starting Your Mobile Notary Business: A Step-by-Step Guide

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 21:37:56 GMT

In today's fast-paced world, convenience is key. With the increasing demand for notary services, especially ones that come to you, starting a mobile notary business can be a lucrative venture. If you're organized, detail-oriented, and enjoy helping people with important transactions, launching your own mobile notary business could be the perfect fit. Here's a step-by-step guide to get you started:

Research and Plan

Begin by researching your local market to understand the demand for mobile notary services in your area. Identify your target market, potential competitors, and pricing strategies. Develop a business plan outlining your goals, services offered, marketing strategies, and financial projections.

Get Educated and Certified

The state of Michigan does not require any education (as of this writing), but studies have shown that people hire professionals who have invested in research, education, and training, even when it’s not mandated. Joining organizations and associations that support notaries shows your willingness to take your business to a level beyond just a signature and a stamp. Once certified, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform notarial acts legally and correctly. Most organizations, including the Michigan Notary Association, provide a hotline for help if you find yourself in a situation you are unfamiliar with. Utilizing resources like this helps boost your knowledge and shows the client that while you might not have all the answers at your fingertips, you have the resources to get the answers, and are willing to do so instead of winging it.

Obtain Necessary Licenses

Check with your local and state government or county clerk's office to determine if you need any additional licenses or permits to operate your mobile notary business legally. Compliance with all regulatory requirements is crucial to avoid potential fines or penalties, especially if you are a mobile loan closer.

Invest in Equipment

As a mobile notary, you'll need to invest in essential equipment such as a notary stamp or seal, a notary journal to record transactions, and a reliable vehicle for transportation. Additionally, consider investing in a mobile phone, laptop, and portable printer to manage appointments and print documents on the go.

Build Your Brand and Online Presence

Create a professional brand identity for your mobile notary business, including a memorable logo, business cards, and marketing materials. Establish an online presence by creating a website and social media profiles to showcase your services, expertise, and testimonials from satisfied clients.

Market Your Services

Develop a marketing plan to attract clients to your mobile notary business. Utilize both online and offline marketing strategies such as networking with local real estate agents, attorneys, and lenders, advertising in local publications, and leveraging social media platforms to reach potential clients.

Set Your Pricing Structure

Michigan allows a notary to charge no more than $10 per notarization or notarial act. The state also allows a travel fee if the notary is traveling to you. This travel fee must be disclosed prior to traveling. Having your travel fee set prior to accepting jobs helps to expedite the call, and make your client feel like the transaction is more about them than it is about you, making sure your costs are covered. Determine your pricing structure based on factors such as distance to the location, and the time it takes to drive that distance. Consider referring to another notary in your network if your travel fee exceeds anything a reasonable person would be willing to pay. The referral will be returned to you in the future.

Stay Informed and Maintain Professionalism

Stay up to date on changes to notary laws and regulations in your state to ensure compliance and provide accurate services to your clients. Maintain professionalism at all times by arriving on time for appointments, dressing appropriately, and providing excellent customer service.

Starting a mobile notary business requires careful planning, dedication, and attention to detail. By following these steps and providing exceptional service to your clients, you can build a successful business that meets the growing demand for convenient notarial services in your community.

Convenience is a commodity that is highly valued. This is where the role of a mobile notary becomes indispensable. A mobile notary offers a flexible and efficient solution to the often-cumbersome process of notarizing documents for those who have difficulty leaving their home or office to go out to find a notary. Rather than requiring clients to navigate through traffic, find parking, and wait in line at a traditional notary office, a mobile notary brings their services directly to the client's location, whether it's their home, office, or any other convenient meeting place.

Furthermore, mobile notaries cater to individuals and businesses with busy schedules or mobility limitations, making notarization accessible to a wider range of people. Whether it's a busy professional needing documents notarized during their lunch break or an elderly individual unable to travel easily, a mobile notary offers a convenient and inclusive solution.

Mobile notaries provide flexibility in terms of scheduling appointments, often accommodating evening or weekend appointments to accommodate clients' needs. This flexibility is particularly valuable in time-sensitive situations, such as real estate transactions or legal matters, where a delay in notarization could have significant consequences.

Additionally, mobile notaries offer a level of privacy and confidentiality that may not be available in a public notary office. Clients can feel more comfortable discussing sensitive or personal matters in the privacy of their own space, knowing that their documents are being handled securely and professionally.

Overall, the convenience, accessibility, flexibility, and privacy offered by mobile notaries make them an essential service in today's busy world. Whether it's for personal, business, or legal matters, having a mobile notary available ensures that important documents can be notarized quickly, efficiently, and conveniently.

13 Reasons Notaries Could Be Sued

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 23:42:31 GMT

Many people become a notary to make a few extra bucks and don’t realize there are liabilities in this profession. Here are some ways you can get into trouble as a Notary:

1. You don’t get any real education, and you think notarizing is just a signature and a stamp.

2. You believe your employer when he tells you how to notarize, and you think that applies everywhere. Not notarizing correctly can cause financial harm to your client, and you are responsible for any financial harm you inflict. You can be sued.

3. You give your business a particular name, advertise with that name, but the name is not registered with your state, or county clerk. You could be sued for using someone else’s business name.

4. You notarize your own signature when you act as a witness and a notary on the same document. This can deem the notarization invalid and can cause you to be sued if the document is rejected.

5. You don’t have proper E&O Coverage. You make a mistake on a signing and your E&O doesn’t cover you. Make sure you have the proper coverage. Watch this video to learn what E&O is and how each policy protects you.

6. You accept a signing where you are responsible for returning documents, either to Title or to an Attorney, and return documents back late and the lender sues you because the borrower lost their lock. Worse, you lose the documents.

7. You make a comment to the borrower about their loan, they cancel, and then the Lender blames you and sues.

8. You explain documents in detail, and your information is incorrect. This is the Unauthorized Practice of Law. As a notary, your concern is the identity of the signer, the awareness of the signer of the document they are signing, and the willingness of the signer to sign that document.

9. You fail to administer an Oath. If you are notarizing using a Jurat, a verbal oath is required, and the signer must verbally attest to the truthfulness of the documents, and attest that they are signing of their own free will. You can be fined and can lose your commission. This is the number one reason notaries are in court.

10. You give legal advice or something that can be construed, misconstrued as legal advice. Predicting an outcome of a document is considered giving legal advice. Even if you don’t think the document is the right one for the signer’s situation, legally, you cannot tell them that. This is the Unauthorized Practice of Law.

11. You misrepresent yourself as an attorney. You tell the client where to find a document. You provide a document for a client. All of these are UPL.

The article serves as a comprehensive guide for notaries, emphasizing the potential legal consequences, financial harm, and professional repercussions that may arise from neglecting the intricacies of the profession. It emphasizes the importance of continuous education, adherence to proper procedures, and a vigilant awareness of legal boundaries to safeguard notaries from the various pitfalls that could lead to legal troubles and reputational damage.

Introducing Michigan's New Driver's License Design: What Notaries Need to Know

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 17:48:25 GMT

Have you noticed a sleek new design adorning Michigan driver's licenses lately? If not, you're in for a surprise! Starting in late January 2024, the state of Michigan began issuing revamped driver's licenses sporting a fresh look and enhanced security features. While these changes are aimed at improving security and modernizing the design, they may pose a challenge for notaries who must verify the authenticity of these IDs.

Gone are the days of bland, uninspired designs. Michigan's new driver's licenses boast a modern aesthetic with vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and updated typography. The revamped design reflects the state's commitment to staying current with evolving trends while ensuring the utmost security for its residents' personal identification.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the new Michigan driver's licenses come equipped with advanced security features designed to thwart counterfeiting and fraudulent use. These features include a Great Lakes tri-color security image.

While these changes are undoubtedly beneficial for safeguarding against identity theft and fraud, they may present challenges for notaries tasked with verifying the authenticity of Michigan driver's licenses. At first glance, the intricate design elements and advanced security features could raise suspicions of counterfeit or tampered IDs. Please note that the back of the card will no longer have the magnetic stripe.

Notary Best Practices

To navigate these challenges effectively, notaries should familiarize themselves with the new Michigan driver's license design and its security features. Here are some best practices to consider:

Stay Informed: Stay updated on any changes or updates to state-issued IDs, including driver's licenses.

Read the attached flyer. It’s a good idea to print it and carry it with you until you become familiar enough with the new license that you no longer question the validity when presented with this new license style.

Trust Your Instincts: If something seems suspicious or out of place, trust your instincts and proceed with caution.

Leslie Hocker is a contributing editor for the Michigan Notary Association blog. Leslie is the President and co-Founder of the Michigan Notary Association, and runs her own mobile notary business, Mobile Notary of Macomb, in Chesterfield Michigan.

MINA EVENT REVIEW

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 21:16:24 GMT

It was a beautiful day on the first weekend of February for a drive to Howell. I was eager to be a part of this Michigan Notary Association event. I had an idea that I was going to get some hands-on experience doing a notarization. Although I’ve been a notary for several months, I’ve not had a chance to perform and actual notarization. I was unclear and apprehensive about the whole process. This was a chance to clear up some of that mystery.

It’s been a lot of fun to be a member of the Michigan Notary Association. I get to be a part of these great events like the most recent event in Howell, Michigan this past Saturday. It was nice to see the friends I’ve made since becoming a member, and it was nice to make new friends.

The thing that encourages me most about the Michigan Notary Association is that Leslie and Debbie, the founders, care about their members’ success. Part of the purpose for the Association is to help train and educate notaries in Michigan. At Saturday’s event we practiced marketing ourselves and our businesses. We learned about some of the different forms and documents we might encounter in our work. And for those of us who’ve had little or no experience using our stamps, such as myself, we got to practice doing a mock notarization.

The Michigan Notary Association is so much more than just a website where we have a profile of our members. It’s a team of notaries who all work together to help make our businesses grow. It feels good to be a part of that team.

Jack Allen is a contributing editor and a board member for the Michigan Notary Association. He is the owner of Finney Allen Notary in Ann Arbor Michigan.

MINA’s First In Person Event of 2024

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 21:06:44 GMT

On February 4, 2024, the Michigan Notary Association held their first of many in person workshops for Michigan notaries. It was an engaging networking and training meeting that brought together notaries from across the state.

The meetings are open to all Michigan notaries and were attended by both dedicated MINA members and five non-members, including one individual not commissioned as a notary.

Additionally, three other attendees, who were simply overhearing the meeting, expressed interest in joining the association and becoming notaries themselves. The event showcased the importance and the significance of networking to scale up one’s notary business.

“Leslie is famous” - At every event where mobile notary is mentioned, people say “you need to talk to Leslie Hocker”. It serves as a reminder that building connections within the industry can lead to professional growth and opportunities. At the event, Leslie explained that she has built her business on networking, not on paid advertising. She is on her fourth year as a mobile notary, building a team of notaries across the state, helping them grow, referring to them when she isn’t available for a job requested, and using other notaries as witnesses so they can gain some visual hands-on experience.

Members were provided with valuable information from the co-founders, Deborah Lowery and Leslie Hocker , on the resources available to them through MINA, emphasizing the support and benefits that come with being a part of the association.

A few real-life role plays were performed, as well as training on how to fill out the notarial block. As conversations flowed and ideas were exchanged, it became evident that the Michigan Notary Association is not just a gathering of professionals but a community that fosters learning, collaboration, and advancement in the field. This meeting was a testament to the power of networking, training, and the shared passion for notarial work that unites members of the association and beyond.

Nevine Rizk is a MINA member, and a notary, and a realtor in Michigan. She owns and operates Nevine R – Real Estate in Oakland County.

Keeping a Journal Helps to Ensure Accountability

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 14:00:02 GMT

Notaries are used in many fashions – it might be at work, notarizing the same signature on the same type of document repeatedly. It might be as a walk in at a UPS office or a bank. It might be in a Title office to close a loan. In all ways notaries are used, it is important to keep a journal to be able to positively identify if you were with the signer at the time of notarization. That sentence is the common denominator in all notarizations. In all states, with no exceptions, the notary must be with the signer at the time of notarization.

Keeping a journal is not required in all states. In some states, the requirements are much more stringent than in other states. It is important to know what your state legislates. And it’s important to check your state laws on a regular basis. Not all states communicate with their notaries, and laws can change without notice. It’s up to you, the notary, to keep up on the latest law. It’s your commission on the line if you break the law.

A journal proves that you verified the identity of the signer. It shows, at bare minimum, the time and date of notarization, the name and address of the signer, where the notarization took place, the type of identification you verified the identity with, and the signer’s signature. It also will, if done correctly, verify the type of notarization and if you administered an oath. It is imperative that if you keep a journal, you keep it accurately.

This journal serves as a record of transactions that you, the notary, have performed. Some states dictate that the journal is to be kept confidential, other states say that notarial acts are a matter of public record. You need to know and abide by your state laws.

If a signer and the recipient of the document take their dispute to court, you might be asked to show your journal entry. This is easy to do if you keep a journal , and it’s impossible to do if you don’t. Not having a journal could put you on the stand, and then it’s your word against theirs. When you have a journal, it’s easy to prove. And since notaries notarize signatures, not documents, your proof is done, and you will likely be released – after you submit that journal entry.

There is a case law where a man was accused of murder in a neighboring state. His appearance resembled the sketch, so he was picked up. He was able to prove his innocence when he remembered that he was signing loan papers with a notary at the time of the murder. The notary had the journal entry with the signer’s signature, recorded with the date, time, and place of notarization. What a happy ending for the accused!

When we keep a journal, and let the signer know that we are recording the transaction so the state knows we are there, the signer can better understand the levity of signing this document. A notarized signature bears more weight than one that is not notarized. Many people, notaries included, think that a notarization will make the document hold up in court. This is simply not true. The notarization means the signer’s identity, mental capacity, and willingness to sign were verified by the notary.

It is best practice to keep one consecutive journal. I have read about notaries who want to keep one journal for loan signing and one for general notary work. The states that do require a journal also require that the notary keep one consecutive journal. They also have minimum criteria for what goes into the journal.

If you are not currently keeping a journal, hopefully this article helps you understand why keeping a journal is a best practice.

Leslie Hocker is a contributing editor for the Michigan Notary Association blog. Leslie is the President and co-Founder of the Michigan Notary Association, and runs her own mobile notary business, Mobile Notary of Macomb, in Chesterfield Michigan.

Maverick Auto Loan Signings

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 18:51:08 GMT

Maverick Signings offers notary signing services for the automotive industry.

With more and more vehicle sales taking place online, many customers never visit the dealership in person. This makes obtaining the proper signatures on the transaction documents difficult. Like signing services for mortgage paperwork, Maverick Signings works with independent mobile notaries public all over the country. Maverick partners with dealerships and utilize the professional services of a mobile notary to meet with the buyer, carefully screen each signer for identity and willingness, and to observe that each appears aware of the significance of the transaction requiring a notarial act. The notary will screen and properly identify the signer who is physically in front of them.

Signing up with Maverick is easy, visit www.mavsign.com from your computer's browser and select Notaries link near the top of the page. Follow the form and enter your name, email address, and select a password. Hit the Register button to submit the form. A representative from Maverick will respond via email. If selected, they will provide additional details and request the same notary credentials expected by other loan signing services (Notary commission, Current Background Check (Dated within 12 months), E&O Insurance ($25K), Bond, W-9 and a copy of your Driver License)

A major difference with Maverick Automotive signings is they will overnight the package of documents to you! No lengthy loan packages to print.

Once the package arrives (usually 15-20 completed pages), you will contact the signer within 24 hours to setup the signing appointment. They recommend all signings take place within 48-72 hours of receipt of the documents and all signings take place at the address provided within your confirmation.

You will need to print a few documents, provided by Maverick; Notary Checklist, Dealer Checklist and two copies of the Affidavit referred to as the Affidavit of Identity (AOI) . This will need to be completed and signed by the buyer during the appointment. You will obtain a thumbprint (mandatory) and notarize this document. Be sure you carry a thumb print ink pad in your bag, I use the ExcelMark inkless ink pad from Amazon.

Each assignment is confirmed via email by Maverick, this email will contain detailed instructions which need to be followed very carefully. Once the signing is complete, most documents will be sent overnight to the dealership (FedEx envelope and shipping label included) and some will need to be scanned and returned to Maverick (Identification, checklist and buyers Driver License). Be sure to pay attention to these details.

Each signing should take between 20 minutes to one hour.

The process is very straight forward and is a nice fit for notaries public who try to diversify the services they offer.

Contact Maverick Signings with any questions.

Phone: 1-877-628-7446 (MAVSIGN)
Web: https://www.mavsign.com/
Email: info@mavsign.com

Joe Lopez is a contributing editor for the Michigan Notary Association blog. Joe is the owner of Michigan Signing & Notary, based in Troy Michigan.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – Form I-9

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 14:00:00 GMT

The Office of Management and Budget approved a new version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. This new version contains minor changes to the form and its instructions. You should begin using this updated form as of Jan. 31, 2020.

Download the updated Form I-9 here
Updates and changes can be reviewed here
The Handbook for Employers M-274 has also been updated here

Form I-9 is used for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. All U.S. employers must ensure proper completion of Form I-9 for everyone they hire for employment in the United States. This includes citizens and non-citizens.

Both employees and employers (or authorized representatives of the employer) must complete the form. On the form, an employee must attest to his or her employment authorization. The employee must also present his or her employer with acceptable documents evidencing identity and employment authorization. The employer must examine the employment eligibility and identity document(s) an employee presents to determine whether the document(s) reasonably appear to be genuine and to relate to the employee and record the document information on the Form I-9. The list of acceptable documents can be found on the last page of the form.

Employers must retain Form I-9 for a designated period and make it available for inspection by authorized government officers. NOTE: State agencies may use Form I-9. Also, some agricultural recruiters and referrers for a fee may be required to use Form I-9.

In Michigan, as a Notary Public, you may be asked to assist in the completion of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility and Verification. Be aware, this form is NOT to be notarized (stamped nor embossed) by you as a Notary Public.

Often the employer and employee are unable to meet in person to complete the Form I-9. When necessary, the employer may authorize a third-party to act as an Authorized Representative. This representative will perform all actions required of the employer as the Form I-9 is completed, this includes Section 2 of the form (Employer of Authorized Representative Review and Verification).

NEVER affix your notary stamp or seal to the Form I-9. Ever.

You are engaged to act as an Authorized Representative for an employer, you are NOT serving as a notary public.

The employer should reach out to you as their Authorized Representative through written or verbal communication. They should not direct the employee to ‘seek a notary’.

If an employee does reach out to you as a notary, you should not proceed until you have communicated with the employer.

Completing Form I-9

The employee will complete Section 1 of Form I-9 PRIOR to meeting with the notary. The employee’s signature holds them responsible for the accuracy of the information provided.

The Authorized Representative will complete Section 2 of Form I-9. This includes a review of the original documents provided by the employee. The employer is asking that you, the Authorized Representative, act as their agent and review the document for them to satisfy the requirement.

Valid / acceptable documents are listed on page three of Form I-9. All documents must be UNEXPIRED. The employee must submit one example from List A or a combination of one selected from List B AND one selection from List C.

The Authorized Representative should examine the document(s) submitted for review and accept them if they reasonably appear to be genuine and if they reasonably appear to relate to the person standing before you. If the documentation presented does not reasonably appear to be genuine, valid or relate to the employee presenting, you must refuse to accept them, and you must ask for other documentation from the lists of acceptable documents.

Photocopies of documents are NOT acceptable, original / valid documents are required. The only exception is a certified copy of a birth certificate.

California exception – Please note, while you are NOT acting as a Notary Public, those in California may NOT act as the Authorized Representative UNLESS they are a bonded immigration consultant under the Business and Professions Code sections 22440-22449. You may not complete or make the certification on Form I-9, even in a non-notarial capacity unless you are a bonded immigration consultant.

Keep a record

While this is NOT a notarial act, the notary should record the transaction somehow. This will include the name of the employee, the name of the company/employer requesting the completion of section 2, and the date you completed the document, miles driven and fees paid.

Training information:

USCIS Form I-9 training, visit USCIS.gov
USCIS Form I-9 on-demand webinar on YouTube
Bookmark the address for I-9 Central for everything you need to understand about the USCIS Form I-9

Joe Lopez is a contributing editor for the Michigan Notary Association blog. Joe is the owner of Michigan Signing & Notary, based in Troy Michigan.

Are Your Children Traveling Abroad Without You?

Sat, 20 Jan 2024 20:02:57 GMT

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), if a child is traveling abroad (including Canada) with one parent, the other parent must supply a letter granting permission. If the child is traveling with an adult other than her parents (school trip, tours, sports, etc.), both parents must provide written permission. See U.S. CBP article 3643 .

The agency strongly recommends that the permission form be notarized. While the U.S. customs officials do not always ask for this documentation, many countries do, and the “failure to produce notarized permission letters” could result in being denied entry. This may be required for air, land and cruise ship travel. Major cruise lines require the notarized permission to travel letter for any children wishing to do any on shore excursion.

This is about protecting children and deterring parental / international child abduction.

Proper notarization will require the signing parent(s) to be present and sign in the notary’s presence. I suggest having multiple copies notarized in case a border official requests to keep a copy or if a copy is lost.

Joe Lopez is a contributing editor for the Michigan Notary Association blog. Joe is the owner of Michigan Signing & Notary, based in Troy Michigan.

Where Should I Spend My Money to Maximize My Exposure and Knowledge?

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 20:46:22 GMT

The professional world of notary services can be very competitive. Every dollar you spend on marketing your business makes a difference. A wise investment in advertising is crucial to the expansion of your business and the increase of your clientele. This article explores the cost-effectiveness of joining the Michigan Notary Association (MINA) compared to spreading your money on multiple websites for business promotion.

Paying for a nationwide directory on general notary websites may seem like a logical move, but does it make sense for a notary to spread their investment? Instead of channeling your funds into multiple platforms, consider investing in yourself and your business through the Michigan Notary Association.

MINA offers a unique approach to notary business development by focusing on education and self-improvement. Rather than merely listing your services, MINA will teach you networking strategies to help secure local jobs. By investing in your skills, you become better equipped to navigate the competitive landscape of notary services.

MINA's directory is more than just a listing. We are a comprehensive resource for various notary services, from standard document notarization to specialized tasks. The MINA directory makes your business visible in your area to potential clients who are looking for a qualified notary to help with a wide range of notary services. You get invaluable exposure to increase and diversify your clientele.

The Michigan Notary Association also features a Legacy Panel, which is designed to increase your exposure and help you stand out in your market. By being part of this exclusive panel, you will be seen by potential clients as a reputable and established notary, which will have a significant effect on the growth of your business. This exposure comes at a much lower cost compared to investing in multiple websites.

MINA offers a cost-efficient alternative to traditional advertising platforms. By focusing on education, networking, and exposure, notaries can achieve more significant results with less financial strain. Rather than scattering funds across various websites, channel your investment into MINA to ensure you get more return for your dollar.

As a professional notary, you need to think strategically when allocating your advertising budget. Join the Michigan Notary Association to not only gain educational benefits and networking opportunities you won’t get with other national resources, but to maximize your exposure through a comprehensive directory and legacy panel. Notaries who choose MINA invest less money for more direct results, which leads to more success in the competitive world of notary services.

Jack Allen is a contributing editor and a board member for the Michigan Notary Association. He is the owner of Finney Allen Notary in Ann Arbor Michigan.