Becoming a notary public is exciting. You’ve taken the oath, received your commission, and maybe even ordered your first stamp. For many new notaries, this moment feels like the start of a flexible, profitable, and respected professional path. However, reality often hits fast. Many notaries struggle in their first year—not because they lack motivation, but because they make avoidable mistakes that quietly stall their growth.
Fortunately, every mistake on this list can be prevented. Even better, each one can become a turning point that strengthens your confidence, credibility, and income. In this article, we’ll walk through the biggest mistakes new notaries make and, more importantly, how to avoid them with clarity and intention.
Whether you’re just starting or feeling stuck, this guide will help you build a solid foundation and avoid the frustrations that cause many notaries to give up too soon.
Mistake #1: Treating Notary Work Like a Side Hobby Instead of a Business
One of the most common—and damaging—mistakes new notaries make is failing to treat their commission like a real business. Many assume that simply having a stamp and listing themselves online will generate steady work. Unfortunately, that rarely happens.
When you don’t operate like a business, you don’t think like a business owner. As a result, pricing becomes inconsistent, marketing is sporadic, and systems never get built.
How to Avoid It
Instead, start by making a mental shift: you are not “just a notary.” You are running a professional service business.
To do this effectively:
- Choose a business name and brand identity early
- Track income and expenses from day one
- Open a separate business bank account if possible
- Set clear business hours and service boundaries
Once you take yourself seriously, others will too.
Mistake #2: Not Fully Understanding State Laws and Notarial Duties
Another critical mistake is assuming that basic training is enough. While state-required education covers the fundamentals, it often doesn’t prepare you for real-world situations.
New notaries sometimes:
- Skip required journal entries
- Misidentify signers
- Notarize incomplete documents
- Perform prohibited acts without realizing it
These errors can lead to rejected documents, complaints, or even loss of commission.
How to Avoid It
Make ongoing education a priority. Read your state notary handbook cover to cover—then read it again. Laws change, and interpretations evolve.
In addition:
- Join reputable notary communities
- Attend refresher courses and webinars
- Keep a printed or digital copy of your state laws accessible
Confidence comes from clarity, and clarity comes from knowledge.
Mistake #3: Undercharging (or Not Charging at All)
Many new notaries undercharge because they fear losing work. Others feel uncomfortable discussing fees and end up accepting low-paying or unpaid appointments “for experience.”
While the intention is understandable, the outcome is harmful. Undercharging leads to burnout, resentment, and a perception that notary work has little value.
How to Avoid It
First, understand your state’s statutory fees and what services you can legally charge for. Then, calculate your true cost of doing business, including:
- Travel time and mileage
- Printing and supplies
- Platform fees for remote notarization
- Insurance, education, and marketing
From there, create a clear, confident pricing structure. When you explain your fees professionally, most clients respect them.
Mistake #4: Failing to Build a Professional Online Presence
In today’s world, if potential clients can’t find you online—or worse, don’t trust what they see—they move on quickly.
Many new notaries rely solely on social media profiles or outdated directory listings. Others have no online presence at all. This creates friction and doubt before a client ever contacts you.
How to Avoid It
Instead of relying on scattered platforms, create a professional website that acts as your digital home base.
A strong notary website should:
- Clearly explain your services
- Display your service areas
- Make booking or contacting you easy
- Build trust with clean design and clear language
A polished website instantly separates professionals from hobbyists and gives clients confidence before they ever pick up the phone.
Mistake #5: Ignoring Proper Recordkeeping and Documentation
Recordkeeping isn’t glamorous, but it’s essential. Many new notaries fail to keep complete journals, lose receipts, or mix personal and business finances. Over time, this creates chaos and legal risk.
If you’re ever audited, questioned, or asked to defend a notarization, poor records can quickly become a serious problem.
How to Avoid It
Create systems early—even if your volume is low.
Best practices include:
- Completing journal entries immediately
- Backing up digital records securely
- Storing physical journals safely
- Tracking income and expenses consistently
Strong documentation protects you, your client, and your reputation.
Mistake #6: Saying “Yes” to Everything
When you’re new, every request feels like an opportunity. As a result, many notaries accept jobs outside their expertise, comfort level, or legal authority.
This can include:
- Complex documents you don’t understand
- Requests that violate state law
- Appointments at unsafe locations
- Last-minute emergencies that disrupt your schedule
Over time, this leads to stress and mistakes.
How to Avoid It
Learn to pause before responding. It’s perfectly acceptable to say:
“Let me confirm that I can legally perform this notarization.”
Set boundaries around:
- Service areas
- Hours of operation
- Document types
- Safety considerations
Professionals don’t say “yes” to everything—they say “yes” to the right things.
Mistake #7: Neglecting Client Experience and Communication
Technical accuracy matters, but client experience matters just as much. New notaries sometimes focus so much on procedure that they forget the human side of the transaction.
Poor communication can include:
- Late arrivals without notice
- Unclear instructions
- Rushed or unfriendly interactions
- Lack of follow-up
These issues often cost repeat business and referrals.
How to Avoid It
Instead, focus on clarity and calm professionalism.
Simple improvements make a big difference:
- Confirm appointments in advance
- Explain the process in plain language
- Arrive prepared and on time
- Thank clients after the appointment
People remember how you made them feel—and they share that experience.
Mistake #8: Not Leveraging Technology and Automation
Many new notaries rely on manual processes for scheduling, reminders, invoicing, and follow-ups. While this works at low volume, it quickly becomes inefficient.
Without systems, growth becomes overwhelming instead of exciting.
How to Avoid It
Adopt simple tools that support your workflow:
- Online scheduling
- Automated reminders
- Digital intake forms
- Secure document sharing
Technology doesn’t replace professionalism—it enhances it. The right tools free you to focus on service instead of logistics.
Mistake #9: Failing to Specialize
Another common mistake is trying to be “everything to everyone.” While versatility has value, lack of focus makes marketing difficult.
Clients are more likely to hire specialists than generalists—especially in legal and professional settings.
How to Avoid It
Over time, identify services you enjoy and perform well, such as:
- Estate planning signings
- Remote online notarization
- Mobile notarizations for professionals
- Business and compliance documents
Specialization builds authority, confidence, and higher-value opportunities.
Mistake #10: Not Investing in Long-Term Growth
Finally, many new notaries focus only on immediate income. While short-term cash flow matters, long-term sustainability matters more.
Without investment in education, branding, and systems, growth eventually plateaus.
How to Avoid It
Think long-term from the beginning:
- Reinvest in training and tools
- Build relationships, not just transactions
- Strengthen your brand consistently
- Create processes that scale
Successful notaries don’t just work harder—they work smarter.
Bringing It All Together
Every notary makes mistakes early on. What separates successful professionals from frustrated beginners is the willingness to learn, adapt, and build intentionally.
By avoiding these common pitfalls, you:
- Reduce stress and liability
- Increase confidence and credibility
- Create better client experiences
- Build a sustainable, scalable business
The notary profession rewards preparation, professionalism, and consistency. When you align those elements, growth becomes inevitable.
Call to Action
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start building a professional notary presence that actually works for you, take the next step today.
Visit https://www.notarywebplatform.com to explore tools, resources, and solutions designed specifically to help notaries build credibility, streamline operations, and grow with confidence.