A California notary’s income depends on how they work. A notary who only notarizes for their employer at the office makes nothing extra — the notary commission is part of the job. A mobile notary or loan signing agent working independently can earn $40,000 to $100,000+ per year, depending on volume, location, and specialization.
Statutory notary fees in California
California Government Code §8211 sets the maximum fees a notary can charge per notarial act:
- $15 per signature notarized (acknowledgments, jurats, signature witnessing)
- $15 for administering an oath or affirmation
- $15 for a certified copy of a power of attorney
At $15 per signature, a notary doing standard walk-in work earns very little per appointment. The real money is in mobile notary work and loan signings, where travel fees and signing fees are separate from the notarial fee.
Mobile notary income
Mobile notaries travel to the signer’s location. Travel fees are not regulated by §8211 — notaries set their own travel rates, typically $25 to $75 per trip in metro areas and higher in rural areas.
A typical mobile notary appointment brings in $50 to $150 total (travel fee + notarial fees). A busy mobile notary doing 3–5 appointments per day can gross $200 to $500 daily.
Loan signing agent income
Loan signing agents are notaries who specialize in real estate closings. Title companies and signing services pay per signing — typically $75 to $200 for a standard refinance or purchase package. Top signing agents in active markets (Sacramento, Bay Area, Los Angeles) do 2–4 signings per day.
Annual income for full-time loan signing agents ranges from $50,000 to $120,000+, though it fluctuates with interest rates and the real estate market.
Realistic income expectations
Part-time (evenings and weekends): $500 to $2,000/month from mobile notary work.
Full-time mobile notary: $3,000 to $6,000/month. Higher in metro areas with dense population.
Full-time loan signing agent: $4,000 to $10,000+/month during active markets. Subject to seasonal and rate-driven swings.
In-house/employee notary: The notary commission may qualify you for a higher-paying role, but the notarizations themselves don’t generate separate income.
Costs to factor in
Before calculating net income, subtract the costs of maintaining your commission: education course ($29–$49), state exam ($40), bond premium ($40–$100/4 years), E&O insurance ($50–$150/year), seal and journal ($35–$70), and vehicle expenses for mobile work. The total startup cost runs $220 to $340. See our full cost breakdown.
Getting started
The first step is completing your SOS-approved 6-hour notary course. From there, the full commissioning process takes 4 to 8 weeks. Read our step-by-step guide for the complete process.