Written by Ray
Founder, The Bearded Notary
I was a commissioned California Notary Public from 2018 to 2022, working both general notarizations and loan signings. I am not currently commissioned. This site is where I put together what I learned doing that work — pricing, equipment, workflow, and the mistakes that cost time or money the first time around — for people getting into or currently working as mobile notaries and loan signing agents.
Why This Site Exists
Most of what's written about becoming a notary online is either an official state page that only covers the legal minimum, or a listicle that reads like nobody involved has actually done the job. The Bearded Notary is meant to sit in between: practical, specific guidance grounded in real experience with general notarizations and loan signings, covering the parts of the job — pricing, equipment, first-month setup, the tax and mileage side of running it as a business — that the official paperwork doesn't explain.
What I Actually Did
- Commissioned California Notary Public, 2018-2022
- Handled general notarizations (acknowledgments, jurats, and related notarial acts)
- Handled loan signings, including mixed letter/legal mortgage closing packages
- Not currently commissioned — this site reflects experience from that period, updated over time as laws, fees, and equipment recommendations change
How This Site Makes Money
The Bearded Notary is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and features affiliate links to other products and services (accounting software, mileage tracking apps, notary training, and similar tools) I think are genuinely useful for this work. If you buy or sign up through one of those links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Recommendations are based on what actually holds up for mobile notary and loan signing work, not on which link pays the most — see the specific comparisons and reasoning in each guide.
Keeping This Current
State fee caps, equipment models, and tax figures change. Articles are reviewed and updated over time — each page notes when it was last updated. If you spot something that's out of date or incorrect, let me know.