Becoming a notary is an easy, but valuable process. This guide will walk you through the steps necessary to become a notary, whether you want to work as a full-time notary or just want to be prepared in case you ever need a notary for your business or personal affairs.
What Is A Notary
A notary public is a public officer appointed by the state to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-deterrent acts related to documents. Most countries have notaries public, but their powers and duties vary widely. In most cases, a notary must be trained, licensed, and bonded before he or she can begin working. In many countries, a notary’s signature, seal, and name are legally binding; in others, these are administrative requirements only.
A notary gives legal value to documents through an oath or affirmation that the contents of the document are true and that any signatures on the document are genuine. This function is known as “notarization,” from the Latin notarius, meaning “a person empowered to administer oaths.” The term has ancient roots and can be found in Roman law.
Why Become a Notary?
Becoming a notary can be an excellent way to earn some extra income. While you’ll have to pay for your training and notary seal, the time you spend could be well worth the money you earn. Notaries public are also able to charge for the time they spend notarizing documents, so if you find a lot of business through word-of-mouth, you can make quite a bit per hour. Notaries public are in high demand and many people need documents notarized. A notary public can provide their services through online or in-person formats, making it a valuable service for both business owners and individuals.
In addition to the benefits of getting paid for witnessing signatures, becoming a notary can also be a great way to provide valuable services to your community. A notary public helps make their community less vulnerable to fraudulent activity, making it an excellent option for those who want to earn some extra income and help keep their communities safe. Finally, some employers also encourage or require employees in certain roles to become notaries.
Requirements
Required qualifications to become a notary public vary by state. In most states, the qualifications are:
You must be at least 18 years old.
You must be able to read and write the English language.
You must be a citizen of the United States or have legal status as a resident alien.
You must never have been convicted of a felony or any offense involving moral turpitude.
If you meet these requirements, the next step is to contact your local county clerk’s office and request the application for appointment as a notary public. Many states also require notary applicants to take notary training classes that show applicants how to check for a valid ID, how to spot a person being coerced to sign, and other critical skills.
Bonds & Insurance
There are many reasons why a notary needs to be bonded in addition to being insured:
Bonding protects the public by providing a layer of financial security in case the notary makes a mistake, such as improperly certifying a document or performing an unauthorized act as a notary.
It protects the notary and his or her family. If you make a serious mistake as a notary and someone files a lawsuit against you, bonding covers your legal fees and other costs associated with defending yourself.
It provides peace of mind for your clients.
For most people, hiring the right person to perform a service is just as important as getting the service done right. If they’re paying you to serve as their official witness on an important document, they’ll feel more secure knowing that you’re backed by an insurance company rather than working on your own.
Notaries may face civil lawsuits if they commit malpractice by performing services outside of their jurisdiction without permission from the proper authorities or if they fail to carry out their duties correctly. By contrast, there is no civil liability for executing documents outside of one’s jurisdiction because that is considered to be part of one’s legal authority as a notary public.
Applying For Your Notary Commission
Applying for your notary commission is a one-time event, but you must renew your commission every so often to keep your powers of notarization active. The process of applying for a notary commission varies significantly across states. Some require in-person filing, while others allow online filing and electronic submission of supporting documents. Face-to-face meetings with officials are required in many states, and some states require an interview or exam before granting a commission.
A few states provide online resources to help you through the application process. The National Notary Association also provides several useful resources to help you navigate the application process. If you’re applying for your commission in person, at the office of a county clerk, be sure to arrive early enough that you can make it through the steps without having to rush. Many offices have long lines for notaries on filing day, so be prepared for a wait.
Once your application is accepted by the state, you’ll receive your notary commission and other important documents in the mail.* To file with the county or state, include completed documents and any required fees with your application.* After you’ve been commissioned as a notary public, remember to renew your commission on time!
Notary Business
Once you’ve secured your notary commission, you’ll want to secure the tools you need for notarizing documents. The following list details the most important supplies for a notary:
A Notary Journal– You need to record each of your notarizations in a journal. This will protect you and your customers from any errors or fraud that might occur at the time of the transaction. A journal is also essential for maintaining an audit trail of all your actions as a notary public.
A stamp or seal – You’ll use this to mark documents as having been “sealed” by a Notary Public, which indicates that they’re official and legally binding.
Business cards – Your business card should include your name, address, and phone number, as well as the wording “Notary Public.” These cards are essential when meeting with clients in-person to ensure they can easily find you again if they need to complete another transaction at a future date.
Pens– To always be able to write your signature or hand out to clients
Printer
As a notary, presence matters. You must establish yourself and get new clients who will return.
To succeed as a notary, you will need to:
Find notarial services leads
Increase your visibility on the Internet
Land more notary appointments
So, if you’ve decided that a career in notary services is right for you—go for it! It’s as simple a process as filling out a few documents, taking a class and exam. but once you are ready and have done your research, you can get started. You can find the application or application renewal forms online at the secretary of state website in your state. Go ahead and press on!
April 12th So there I am, finished my first week of working at my first full-time job after graduating college, just got my first apartment, first car, and excited to start living my adult life. I’m browsing through Twitter after work and see a Real Estate Wholesaler post a $60,000 check with the caption “only weeks worth of work!”
Sixty Thousand dollars from one deal, damn near my entire salary in one check. I thought I made it big making 63k right out of college. My entire view of money changed from one post. My next thoughts were “how do I make that kind of money” and “It’s time to become an entrepreneur”
I had no idea of what type of business I could start. All I had was a degree and my first job, no skills, no experience, just vibes. I went online and found the Millionaire Mindset Podcast and started listening from the beginning. Each episode had an interview with an entrepreneur in various businesses that I had never heard of. I listened on the way to work, during work, the way home from work, and when I got home. I had to find a way to make money outside of work.
So after a month of listening to the podcast, my mindset had shifted exponentially to one focused on growth and abundance. I’ve followed the social media accounts of everyone interviewed on the podcast and accidentally changed all the content that I viewed on social media from memes, anime, and video games to content on wealth building, self-development, and financial freedom. As well as executing, I found a 2-week HTML coding trial because everyone was talking about how much money there was in the tech industry. that shit was not for me, at all! this is what I ended up making
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After realizing that coding wasn’t for me, I started a dropshipping business selling AirPods cases, kimonos, thai harem pants, and silk robes. I learned everything from Youtube University, created a website on Shopify, sourced products from aliexpress, learned about copywriting and Facebook ads. But I had limited capital to put into the business. in my opinion, the business did not make me a millionaire was because of covid and the supply chain causing the dropshipping to take MONTHS
Shout out to my friend and mentor Andre C. Hatchett. In his interview he spoke about his Notary Business and course, The 2-12 Club (Malikmoves70 for 70% off) which teaches you how to make 2k-12k per month as a notary. Prior to his episode, my grandfather told me about becoming a notary and that you could only make $5 per appointment, and why tf would I want to do that???
But Andre was talking about $150-$200 per appointment and that was VERY enticing. Especially for a business with a less than $500 start-up cost. I started doing my Googles immediately to see if it was worth getting into. His course was $1000 at the time which was half my savings at the time.
DO NOT BE LIKE ME. My job security allowed me to take that risk I legit had $1043 to my name and bills were coming soon. Not a very fun time for Malik.
I took the notary class at the beginning of August and got sworn on August 30th. My website was up on September 16th and I got my first appointment on September 21st for $362 and instantly knew that I made the right decision.
From September 2019 to March 2020 my life consisted of my 9-5 and the Notary Business from 5-9. No fun, no hanging out, and barely any video games. I was willing to make those sacrifices to get to where I am today.
I took a month off in April due to the pandemic, but people were blowing my phone UP for notary and fingerprinting appointments. I reopened in May and had my first $1000 day by having 7 appointments. I went on appointments during lunch and had meetings for my job while driving around. I knew at that point that I reached my capacity of working within my business and hired someone else to go on appointments for me.
Increasing your income and creating more streams of income is great and all but that might be your downfall if you’re financially irresponsible with all of the money.
The Financial Starter Kit is my go to book for any and all personal finance decisions that I make. Also the only book that I recommend to people who ask me about budgeting, credit, investing, retirement, and bank accounts.
After applying the methods taught I was able to save my first $10k, improve my credit, maximize my 401k and invest using my Roth Ira.
Let’s get into how I was able to accomplish those feats.
Saving my first 10k was one of the most daunting and meticulous financial decisions i’ve made, especially when its so expensive JUST TO LIVE. I started by looking at my all of my expenses to see what i could cut down on and honestly it was a lot lmao. Food is always the number 1 money eater, eating out and ordering food is just so convient and easy. Cooking was the best way to save money on food so I bought an air fryer and instant pot and got to it! I cancelled all of the subscription based services that I was paying for, stopped buying clothes and video games, and kept all travel to a minimum.
After learning how credit actually works I began using my credit cards for all purchases so that I could get reward points for buying things that I already planned on buying. I also kept my credit utilization at 15% by keeping a balance on my cards while making on time payments. I had to get a bill that was sent from collections taken off my credit report. My university didn’t even tell me that I owed money!
Contribute to your 401k if your company matches!!! It’s free money! The company that I was at matched my 401k and HSA. When I read the book I learned that I could invest with my Health Savings Account(HSA) so I took the $750 I invested, the $750 that my company matched ($1500 total), and flipped it to $6000 with a stock play. Multiplying free money that I can use for any medical-related costs 🔥🔥🔥.
There are a plethora of places to visit and things to do in Zanzibar. The East African island provides many things for you to do and experience. It’s safe to say that excitement and relaxation can be had on every corner of Zanzibar.
I arrived with no knowledge of the island but set off to explore Jozani Forest, Paje Beach, and even a cruise on the local boat. With almost a month on the island, I was able to cover most of the hot spots. Looking for where to start once you arrive in Stone Town? Here are the top places to visit in Zanzibar.
Where Is Zanzibar Located?
Zanzibar is an island in the Indian Ocean, a two-hour (15 miles) ferry ride from Dar Es Salaam, a major city in Tanzania.
Zanzibar is not a country but is considered a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania. Politically it is part of Tanzania. Zanzibar also isn’t just one island but is the largest of the Zanzibar Archipelago, which consists of several islands. The four main islands are Unguja Island (which is Zanzibar), Pemba Island, Latham Island, and Mafia Island.
Best Things To Do In Zanzibar
1. Jozani Forest
Jozani Forest is one of the most popular places to visit in Zanzibar. The forest is the last sanctuary in the world to see the Zanzibar red colobus monkey. The forest is located in the Eastern part of the island and is one of the densest places on Zanzibar. It’s a clear reminder of what we have done to our environment over the centuries.
It’s easy to get lost and find the monkeys in the Jozani forest. Many nature trails lead through beautiful forests, and the red colobus monkeys are not shy. After your visit to Jozani, be sure to cross the street and visit the Mangrove forest.
When wondering what to do in Zanzibar, a visit to Stone Town is essential. Or the “Palace of Wonders” is the tallest building in Stone Town and a main Zanzibar point of interest. It’s right next to the Old Fort and is a sight to see while in Stone Town.
3. Paje Beach
If there is a backpacker spot on Zanzibar, it’s Paje beach. The beach has hip cafes, burger spots, kite surfing companies, bars, and hostels, making it one of the great places to visit in Zanzibar. I spent a few days relaxing in the inviting turquoise waters, which is the perfect thing to do for those looking for free things to do in Zanzibar.
For those looking to have an active holiday in Zanzibar, the most popular thing to do in Paje is kite surf. There are an endless amount of schools and rental shops all dying to take you out on the water and show you the ropes of kitesurfing.
Malik Ali and Zanzibar Warriors/ Photo by Tiana Marie of Where Tiana Travels
4. Spice Tour
Zanzibar is often referred to as “Spice Island” for its centuries of clove, nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon production and is one of the top five things to do in Zanzibar. Most of these spice tours depart from Stone Town and take you to a large spice farm to see, touch, and taste the many flavors of Zanzibar.
I would recommend bringing decent walking shoes as they may be muddy. Make sure to bring extra cash if you want to buy some spices and tea to take home. There is also a full tasting at the end of the tour.
5. Have Dinner At The Tea House Restaurant
Honestly, having a meal at this establishment is one of those must-do things in Zanzibar. Anyone wanting a night out in Stone Town should visit the Tea House Restaurant at Emerson on Hurumzi. The restaurant is located on top of the boutique hotel in the middle of the kasbah and it has one of the best views of Stone Town, making it my favorite thing to do in Zanzibar.
They get quite popular for sundowners and dinner, so I would recommend making a reservation beforehand. I spent an entire evening here drinking spicy cocktails, listening to live Zanzibari music, and chowing down on delicious Persian-inspired cuisine before retiring to our gorgeous room.
6. Visit The Rock
The Rock restaurant is pretty synonymous with Zanzibar and is usually mentioned in every Zanzibar guide. The restaurant is located in Pongwe (the southeast part of the island) and is accessible by motorbike or taxi cab from Paje. I made the memorable trip out to The Rock to get some lovely photos of the iconic spot. If you visit during high tide, a free boat taxi will deliver you to the rock (unless you feel like swimming).
7. Go Shopping At Darajani Market
The Darajani Market (or Bazaar) is the main bazaar in Stone Town, Zanzibar. It’s the most popular place to come and get spices, dates, bread, fruits, and almost anything you could need. Beyond getting some souvenirs, it’s a fantastic place to soak in the culture.
8. Wander Through Stone Town
One of the best things to do in Zanzibar is to wander the streets of Stone Town. There are many unique places to see in Stone Town, including beautiful boutique shops and plenty of great restaurants. Venture around the Forodhani Gardens and the Old Fort! You can easily walk around Stone Town yourself, but it’s best to book a walking tour with Colors of Zanzibar to learn more about what you see.
9. Enjoy The Many Beaches
Make sure to get out of the city and explore as many Zanzibar beaches as you can. There’s a beautiful one around every corner. My personal favorites are Nungwi Beach and Pongwe Beach, but there are so many others to explore. Of course, if you are staying at an oceanside Zanzibar resort or hotel, you’ll likely want to chill at their beach for at least one of your days too! So choose a great hotel with the ideal location!
When Is The Best Time To Visit Zanzibar?
June to September is officially the dry season meaning your chance of a sunny day is exceptionally high. In general, this is the busiest time to visit Zanzibar, and prices for accommodation will be at their highest. Zanzibar is near the equator so the weather doesn’t sway too drastically, and you are almost guaranteed some sunshine on your vacation.
That being said April and May is the rainy season, and you can expect long downpours. Flooding is typical during these months and because of this many hotels will shut their door. You’ll likely still have sunny weather, but I would expect to get wet during these months.
Salvador is the perfect entry point for anyone visiting Brazil for the first time. This stunning coastal city, the capital during the height of Brazil’s slave trade, is now a mellow, friendly outpost. And I can guarantee it will take your breath away. It’s no surprise that Salvador’s city’s center has been declared a World Heritage Site given the sheer beauty of its colorful crumbling buildings and cobblestone streets. Plus, its dark past has ironically led to a beautifully diverse local Afro-Brazilian population.
I’d been forewarned about Salvador’s safety issues, making me wary of how much I’d enjoy it. Thankfully my fears were largely unfounded; didn’t have any trouble. I think so long as you’re a discrete traveler who sticks to subtle clothing, leaves the jewelry at home, you’ll be absolutely fine.
Here’s My Killer Todo List for Salvador Brazil!
1) Explore through the Pelourinho. This is the heart of the Old Town, which in a previous life was the whipping post for African slaves being punished. Pelourinho means pillory in Portuguese. Today, as you wander among the pastel-colored colonial homes, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The center is small and walkable, so consider doing a loop to get your bearings first and then pick a cafe to sample a tropical fruit juice (passionfruit, perhaps?) and cool off.
2) Try moqueca. More than once. I could not get enough of this tasty dish. This stew usually contains onions, coconut milk, palm oil (a Brazilian staple), garlic, coriander, and your choice of prawns or fish. It’s served on a terracotta dish that comes out steaming hot (or is kept over the fire) and it’s really good. It’s a bit like a curry, but even better.
3) Take a tour of the flashy Igreja São Francisco. This spectacular Baroque church will stun (or blind) you with its bling. Built-in the early 1700s, it’s a display of colonial wealth in its full glory. I took a tour with a local guide who seriously knew his stuff and I thoroughly enjoyed not only learning about the church’s architecture but also about the rich and fascinating history of Salvador itself.
4) Make the trip to Igreja do Nosso Senhor do Bonfim. This church is legendary in Bahia; some go there on a pilgrimage. The story goes that in an attempt to raise funds the church started selling fitas (ribbons) for people to wear and make wishes. The tradition stuck and they’re still sold today. You buy a fita, make your wish and wear it until it naturally wears off. When it finally does, you rinse it under running water and your wish comes true. I’ve got two and they are still holding strong. They’re looking a little worse for wear but they’re not coming off until those wishes have become my reality!
5) Walk the Pasarela and watch the sunset in Barra. This neighboring town has a beautiful little lighthouse and stunning views across the Atlantic. I spent one of my evenings watching the sunset over the top of the cliff and joined the crowds in cheering when it finally sunk into the ocean. This is a dope Brazilian tradition that you’ll see throughout the country and it’s worth partaking in at least once.
6) Watch a capoeira performance or take a class. This beautiful martial art/dance hails from this corner of Brazil and there’s no better place in the world to watch or join in. It has a fascinating history, as capoeira evolved in the Quilimbos (communities of escaped slaves) as not just a form of expression but also a defense against slaveowners and potential capturers. The dance has pervaded and evolved throughout history and I was lucky enough to encounter quite a few dancers on the streets. But you can also take a course with some of the expert trainers and learn some basic moves.
So there you have it. Six reasons why you too could fall in love with Salvador, Brazil. Of course, you’ll find many more recommendations in the guidebooks, but these were the standouts of my Bahian adventure I urge you not to miss.
Dubai is a city like no other, with its ancient and modern history displayed in large proportions. With impressive skyscrapers, vast desert, and history, Dubai can be a bit overwhelming to the people visiting it for the first time. It is a mix of ancient customs and cosmopolitan modernity and, believe me, you will want to see everything on your first visit. Fortunately, with this article, you will get all the information about the diversity that Dubai can offer.
1. Burj Khalifa – At the top of the world!
Burj Khalifa is located right next to the Dubai Mall and is the center of the city’s extravagance. The huge building will take your breath away. Being around 829 meters tall, Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world.
During our visit, we booked tickets to the 124th floor. On this floor, there is a viewing deck with a great view of Dubai and the vast desert. The cost was about 50 USD per person for a standard daily ticket. If you want to visit during a sunset or sunrise, or if you want to go on a higher floor or give yourself a feast, you have to dig deeper into your pockets. But it’s definitely worth the visit if it’s within your budget. From here you can truly immerse yourself in the strangeness of this gigantic cosmopolitan city, surrounded by nothing but sand dunes and miles of desert.
2. The Dubai fountains – enjoy one-of-a-kind magic!
They, as well as the skyscraper, are located within the Dubai Mall. One bullet – 3 rabbits. Even the Magic Fountains in Barcelona can not be matched by this synchronicity of melody and water dance. The performances are 2 during the day: from 13:00 to 13:30 (13:30 and 14:00 on Fridays) and in the evening they start at 18:00 and continue until 11:00 on every half hour. If you want your experience to be even more memorable, you can hop on to one of the boats that swim in the lake.
3. Malls of Dubai – way more than shopping centers!
One of the most sophisticated things you can see at the Dubai Mall is not the fountains or the skyscraper. It is the Ski Resort located in the Mall of the Emirates. There you can even play with penguins. Other interesting attractions that can be found in their malls are a huge aquarium again at Dubai Mall, where you can even feed sharks, find camel milk ice cream, an amazing show with lasers projections and water, have a 3-course menu in theater, and more and more kind of unbelievable things you did not even think about doing, not to mention in a mall.
4. The Old Dubai – Rediscover this place
Old Dubai is a mystical place, covered with secret tales and fascinating history. Nowhere else you can get closer to the origins of Dubai and the Arabic traditions, as here as you wander through the labyrinths of abandoned streets and narrow paths.
Explore the historical district of Al Bastakiya, shop in the Dubai Souks (markets), and discover the history of Dubai Creek, which has divided the city between tribes and dynasties. Immerse yourself in traditional Arab culture by visiting one of the tea houses in Old Dubai. Or take some traditional clothes in the textile souk as a souvenir. And do not forget to stop at one of their herbs and spices souks.
If you want a mix between old and new Dubai, you can visit the bazaar just outside Burj Al Arab – Madinat Jumeirah.
5. Dubai Desert – Endless serenity
When you’re ready to escape from the chaotic city life, head to the desert of Dubai. It is only an hour’s drive away and opens a new world of Arab culture. From huge luxury skyscrapers, you will enter into a world of intact and empty natural landscape. Here is the place where the bedouins reign and the camels roam .. Place nothing like anything you’ve ever seen.
There are many companies that offer desert tours. We chose a desert safari, including a dune bashing, dinner, and attractions. We booked our from Raina Tours, but for more luxurious trips to the desert, I recommend Platinum Heritage Tours. Most will take you from the hotel and take you to the desert, where you can see the sunset, eat the incredible Arabic cuisine and experience the silence and the vastness of the desert Dubai.
6. Night Dubai – Perfect ending
After a long day, when you get lost in the city, there is no better way to relax than to visit Dubai’s nightlife. And it is truly magnificent. Surrounded by cocktails and hookahs, you will feel more bohemian than ever. One of the places I’ve left for my next visit is Sky 43 the 43 level salon at the top of Sheraton Four Points. From here you can dive into the shimmering center of Dubai at night while enjoying one of the many exclusive drinks and snacks served at the bar. This is a unique sight and the perfect way to end an unforgettable vacation in Dubai.
