Is It Stressful Being a Notary?

Depending upon the person, being a notary public can be stressful. But it is also a rewarding field and fulfilling vocation. Let's break down the stress-related parts.

The Legal Stuff Can Be Daunting

Being a notary isn't just about stamping and smiling. Notaries hold legal responsibilities in their hands. They have to ensure that the signer was willing to sign the document, knows what they were signing, and understands why the notary was there in the first place. The notaries also have to make sure the signer was who they said they were, by satisfactory evidence.

Time Pressure is Real

Loan signings, especially, can be a time-management circus.

• The documents dropped to the portal late.

• The signer wants to "read everything carefully" (all 300 pages).

• The scanback deadline is in an hour, and the scanner just died.

• You still need to drop off the documents at FedEx before they close in 20 minutes.

People are Wildcards

No two signers are the same. You'll meet the sweet grandma who offers you cookies and wants to tell you about her late husband, and the next day, you'll get the guy who insists he doesn't need to show you his ID because "you should trust him." (I haven't come across this yet.)

It's Not Just a Job - It's a Business

If you're doing mobile notary or loan signings, you're not just a notary - you're also:

• Your own marketing department

• Scheduler

• Bookkeeper

• Tech Support

• Customer Service Rep

Running a business can be overwhelming, especially if you're like me and prefer checklists over chaos. But it also gives you freedom, and that's worth every ounce of effort.

So, Is It Always Stressful?

No. And I can say that once you've done a few, it's not as nerve-racking. You learn to keep an eye on things and learn from experience. You learn to stay calm even when everything is hitting the fan. I've learned that signers and signing services all appreciate open communication. You get systems in place so you're prepared to do everything in a way that works for you. If it doesn't work just right, tweak it.