So You Got Your Notary Commission. Now What?

I’ve been around the notary world long enough to notice a pattern: lots of people jump in with excitement, get their commission, and then immediately hit the “what now?” stage. If you’ve ever posted in a Facebook group asking how to get started, or if you’ve wondered why things aren’t taking off, you’re not alone. I’ve seen it happen over and over again.

This blog isn’t training, and it’s not a pep talk. Think of it more like a field guide from someone who’s been in the trenches, made mistakes, learned lessons, and wants to help you avoid some of the more painful (and expensive) missteps. If even a handful of notaries read this and think, “Okay, I can adjust and do better,” then it’s worth writing.

The Predators Are Waiting

Once you get your stamp, the predators show up fast.

You’ll see ads for:

“Exclusive online notary directories” (for a small monthly fee, of course).
“Training courses” that promise six-figure incomes practically overnight.
Website-in-a-box packages that claim you’ll be raking in clients in no time.

It all sounds tempting when you’re eager to get started, but most of these “opportunities” are little more than cash grabs. I’ve watched too many newcomers hand over money chasing shortcuts that don’t exist.

If there’s one takeaway here, it’s this: there are no magic buttons in the notary business. Success takes work, persistence, and building credibility step by step.

Competence Matters (And It’s Often Missing)

Here’s something that might surprise you: most notarizations are done wrong.

I know this because part of my work involves reviewing notarized documents in Florida for apostille processing. Every week I screen documents that are being submitted for a Florida apostille, and a huge percentage of them have mistakes — not small typos, but obvious, “this should never have happened” errors.

Why does this happen? Because most notaries never get feedback. The average signer assumes that if there’s a stamp, everything must be valid. So a notary can do things incorrectly for years and never be called out — until the document gets rejected for an apostille or challenged in court. That’s when the lightbulb goes off: they never really knew what they were doing.

The truth is, it doesn’t have to be that way. Florida statutes and the Governor’s Notary Manual literally provide sample wording for every notarial act you’ll ever need. It’s an open-book test. Yet somehow, incorrect wording gets recycled online and passed around as if it’s gospel. A little time spent double-checking the official resources would save a world of trouble — for notaries, for clients, and for anyone relying on that document overseas.

Bad Forms = Bad Habits

Another problem is the forms themselves. Many are created by people who aren’t notaries, don’t understand the law, and simply tack on a space for notarization because the boss told them to. These forms float around looking “official,” but the notary sections are outdated, incomplete, or flat-out wrong.

The result? Notaries stamp them as-is, without realizing they should correct the language to comply with Florida law. Garbage in, garbage out.

Social Media Isn’t Always Your Friend

I lurk in several notary Facebook groups, and I see the same thing every week: a brand-new notary posts, “Hi, I’m [name]. How do I get started?”

The replies are usually a mix of recycled advice, half-truths, and distractions. And meanwhile, many new notaries confuse activity with progress. They rush to make business cards and flashy flyers, but don’t stop to think about how to actually get clients.

Here’s a quick example: I once posted looking for Spanish-speaking online notaries. Dozens of people replied. But only two followed the directions, sent me a professional email, and followed up with a call. Guess who got the work? The others posted things like, “Following,” “Interested,” or “DM me.” That’s not how you land business — that’s how you get overlooked.

The Stamp Isn’t a Business Plan

This is the part that stings a little: having a notary commission doesn’t mean you have a business.

To build a notary business, you need customers. To get customers, you need visibility. To keep customers, you need credibility. And yes, it’s a lot of work. If you’re not ready to put in the time and effort, it’s better to realize that now than years down the road when you’re frustrated.

I can’t tell you exactly how to know if you have the “right stuff.” What I do know is that entrepreneurs figure it out. Years ago, I decided to start a mobile DJ business. I had no experience, no equipment, and no music collection. But I booked my first gig six months out anyway, and I figured out the rest as I went. That gig turned into a 10-year side hustle.

That’s what separates people who simply hold a stamp from those who build something lasting.

Follow Your Dreams — Or Someone Else’s

One of my favorite quotes is: “If you don’t follow your dreams, someone else will pay you to follow theirs.”

That’s exactly what happens in the world of online notarization. Large nationwide companies operate like call centers, hiring notaries to notarize documents for their clients, on their terms. They get the real profits; you get the leftovers.

And yet, in Facebook groups, you’ll see endless posts: “What’s the best platform?” or “Is XYZ worth it?” Rarely does anyone stop to ask: why not create your own business instead of just plugging into someone else’s?

Networking That Actually Matters

Let’s talk about networking. Most new notaries think networking means joining Facebook groups, swapping advice, or looking for someone to mentor them. And sure, there’s value in learning from others — but that kind of networking only goes so far.

The kind of networking that really builds empires is different. It happens once you’ve developed skills, built a little reputation, and have something of value to offer another professional.

And here’s the key: it’s not about trading favors or handing out business cards. It’s about creating real relationships with other professionals in similar — but not identical — niches, where you become valuable to each other.

For example, notary and apostille services often overlap naturally with:

Translators and interpreters — where language services connect directly with documents that will be used abroad.
Out-of-state apostille professionals — when they need Florida documents certified and rely on you as their trusted contact.
Out-of-state notaries — who, because of their state laws, need help accomplishing something for their customers that only a Florida notary can provide.

That kind of networking is where the real growth happens. These relationships are two-way streets, built on reliability and competence. And it’s what separates those who stay stuck in “just trying to get started” mode from those who create businesses that actually last.

Your Online Presence Is Everything

Let’s be real: when people need a notary, they’re going to Google. If you’re not showing up there, you’re invisible.

That means you need a strong online presence. A three-page “brochure” website isn’t enough. You need real content, SEO, and a site that actually brings clients in the door. My own website didn’t become valuable overnight — it took years of building, writing, and refining.

Beware the traps here too. Those “AI websites in 30 minutes” sound great in ads, but in reality they’re cookie-cutter pages that won’t get you found. And paid Google Ads? Unless you’re an expert, they’ll drain your budget faster than you can say overdraft fee. Even paid “pros” often don’t care about your money the way you do. The better investment? Learning SEO and building content that works for you long-term.

And one more thing: skip the spinning logos, flashing banners, and pages that bounce around like a carnival ride. You think it looks cool — your customers think it looks unprofessional. Clean and credible always wins.

Tough Love, With Encouragement

So where does this leave us?

It leaves us in a profession where many notaries are misled, underprepared, or spinning their wheels. But it also leaves opportunity — because the notaries who choose competence, professionalism, and credibility will always stand out.

If you see yourself in some of the pitfalls I’ve described, don’t take offense. Take action. The good news is that the bar to stand out isn’t as high as you might think. Most notaries won’t put in the effort. If you do, you’ll already be ahead.

And if you’re handling documents that will need a Florida apostille, take this to heart: accuracy and compliance matter more than you realize. Sloppy work doesn’t just reflect on you — it can derail a client’s plans overseas.

Success in this business doesn’t come from the stamp itself. It comes from what you’re willing to build with it.

And if you’re not ready? Well, there’s always that flyer promising six figures in six days.