What’s the Difference Between a Notary Public and a Notary Signing Agent?
Same commission. Totally different ballgame.

If you’re new to the notary world, you might’ve heard both titles thrown around like they’re the same thing. Spoiler alert: they’re not.

While every notary signing agent is a notary public, not every notary public is a signing agent. One handles a few signatures. The other handles entire loan packages.

Let’s break it down once and for all — so you know where you stand, and where you could go.

🖋 Notary Public: The Foundation
A notary public is commissioned by the state to serve as an impartial witness in the signing of important documents. The role is rooted in fraud prevention and public service.

✅ Core duties:

Verifying identity
Administering oaths/affirmations
Witnessing signatures
Completing acknowledgments, jurats, and other notarial acts
Logging everything properly (depending on your state)

💵 Typical fees:

General notary work (GNW) is usually capped by state law (example: $10 per signature in many states)
This is perfect for:

Power of attorney
School forms
Deeds
Wills (when allowed)
Travel consent forms
Hospital signings

🏠 Notary Signing Agent: The Specialist
A Notary Signing Agent (NSA) is a notary public who’s been trained to handle loan documents during real estate closings. This is a more advanced, higher-stakes role that requires knowledge, precision, and professionalism.

✅ Core duties:

Guiding borrowers through mortgage loan packages
Printing and preparing large doc sets
Ensuring proper signatures, initials, and dates
Providing scanbacks, dropping docs, and meeting lender deadlines
Working directly with title, escrow, and signing services

💵 Typical fees:

$75–$200+ per signing depending on experience, scope, and location (yes, this is where the money is)
This is perfect for:

Refinance closings
Buyer/seller packages
Reverse mortgages
Loan modifications
Commercial property deals

Key Differences at a Glance

                                    Notary Public                        Notary Signing Agent

Training Required:      Minimal (State-approved)       Advanced (specialized)
Scope of Work:           General notarial acts              Mortgage/loan documents
Pay Per Job:               Low (capped by law)              High (negotiated rates)
Client Type:                 Public                                     Title companies, escrow, lenders
Documents Handled:  1–5 pages                              100–200+ pages

⚠ Important: You Can’t Just “Call Yourself” a Signing Agent
Being a signing agent requires:

Solid training
Document knowledge
Professional behavior
Understanding lender/title expectations
Reliable equipment (dual tray printer, scanner, etc.)
Trying to do a loan signing without proper training is the fastest way to get blacklisted by title companies — or make a costly mistake.

Which One Should You Be?
If you just want to notarize documents here and there → Notary Public
If you want to build a full-time or part-time business with higher income potential → Notary Signing Agent
And the good news? You already have the commission. You just need the skills.

Notary Academy Specializes in Turning Notaries into Signing Agents
We teach notaries how to handle real loan signings with confidence, accuracy, and professionalism — so you can go from basic notary work to high-level closings. It’s not a title. It’s a transformation — and we’ll walk you through it step by step. 

Curious to learn more? Watch this free short webinar - Intro to Loan Signing