As a notary, you already have a trusted role in legal and business transactions—but did you know you can expand your services to increase your income? Offering complementary services like fingerprinting, permit running, and field inspections allows you to diversify your business, attract more clients, and boost profitability.

This guide will explore additional services you can add to your notary business and how they fit into your existing skill set.

Why Expand Your Notary Business?

Notary work is often seasonal, and relying solely on notarization services can lead to income fluctuations. Expanding your offerings helps create a stable revenue stream.

Benefits of Diversification:

• More Income Opportunities – Additional services mean multiple streams of revenue.
• Wider Client Base – Attract businesses and individuals who need specialized services.
• Increased Competitive Edge – Stand out from other notaries by offering a one-stop solution.

Adding services aligning with your notary expertise can build a more resilient and profitable business.

Mobile Fingerprinting Services

Fingerprinting is a highly in-demand service for employment background checks, licensing requirements, and government agencies. Many notaries are already trusted professionals, making this a natural addition to your business.

Types of Fingerprinting Services:

• Live Scan Fingerprinting – Digital fingerprint submission to state and federal databases.
• Ink Fingerprinting – Traditional fingerprinting using ink and cards for manual submission.
• FBI Background Checks – Processing fingerprints for federal security clearances.

How to Get Started:

• Research state licensing requirements for fingerprinting.
• Invest in fingerprinting equipment (Live Scan machines or ink pads/cards).
• Partner with businesses that require background checks (hospitals, security firms, schools).

Adding fingerprinting services can generate significant income, especially if you offer mobile fingerprinting for corporate clients.

Permit Running Services

Permit running, or permit expediting, involves assisting businesses and individuals with obtaining necessary permits from local government offices. Real estate developers, contractors, and business owners often rely on permit runners to save time and navigate bureaucratic processes.

Common Permits You Can Assist With:

• Building permits for construction and renovations.
• Business licenses for new companies.
• Zoning permits for property development.
• Special event permits for public gatherings.

How to Start a Permit Running Business:

• Familiarize yourself with your local city and county government processes.
• Build relationships with contractors, realtors, and legal firms.
• Charge a service fee based on the complexity of the permit.

Permit running requires minimal investment but provides high earning potential since many businesses prefer outsourcing this time-consuming task.

Field Inspection Services

Field inspections involve verifying property conditions, business operations, or loan collateral for financial institutions, insurance companies, and real estate firms. Notaries are well-suited for this role due to their attention to detail and reliability.

Industries That Require Field Inspectors:

Industry	Inspection Type
Real Estate	Property condition reports and occupancy verification.
Insurance Companies	Damage assessments, fraud investigations.
Lenders & Banks	Collateral inspections and mortgage verifications.
Auto Finance Companies	Vehicle condition inspections.

How to Get Started:

• Register with field service inspection companies that contract inspectors.
• Learn to take accurate photos, complete reports, and document property conditions.
• Market your services to real estate agents and financial institutions.

Field inspections are flexible and can be done part-time, making them an excellent way to supplement your notary income.

Process Serving

Process servers deliver legal documents (such as subpoenas, court summons, and eviction notices) to individuals involved in legal proceedings. Since notaries already handle legal documents, this is a natural service expansion.

How to Become a Process Server:

• Check your state’s process server licensing requirements.
• Partner with law firms, collection agencies, and court officials.
• Develop a system for documenting and verifying successful deliveries.

Process serving offers a consistent income stream and is often in demand by legal professionals.

Apostille and Authentication Services

Apostille services involve certifying documents for international use, often required for adoption, business agreements, and immigration paperwork. This is a valuable add-on service since notarized documents frequently need apostille certification.

What You’ll Need to Offer Apostille Services:

• Understanding of state and federal apostille requirements.
• Relationships with Secretary of State offices or apostille processing agencies.
• Knowledge of international document authentication procedures.

Apostille services are particularly lucrative in areas with high international business activity or immigration cases.

Offering Business Formation Assistance

Many small business owners struggle with legal paperwork when forming their businesses. As a notary, you can assist clients with:

• Preparing and filing LLC or corporation documents.
• Obtaining Employer Identification Numbers (EINs).
• Registering businesses with state agencies.

While you cannot offer legal advice, providing document preparation and filing assistance makes you a valuable resource for entrepreneurs.

Remote Online Notarization (RON)

If your state permits Remote Online Notarization (RON), offering virtual notarization services can significantly expand your client base. RON allows you to notarize documents online via a secure platform, making it convenient for clients anywhere.

Benefits of RON:

• No travel required—work from home.
• Serve clients in different cities or states (depending on laws).
• Charge premium fees for online notarization.

To get started, research state-approved RON platforms, complete any required certifications, and start marketing your remote services.

Building a Brand for Your Expanded Notary Business

Once you’ve added new services, you need to market them effectively.

Tips for Marketing Your Expanded Services:

• Update Your Website – List all services clearly and optimize for local SEO.
• Leverage Social Media – Promote your new services on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• Network with Professionals – Connect with realtors, attorneys, and business owners who need your services.
• Offer Package Deals – Bundle notary services with fingerprinting or permit running to attract more clients.

Expanding your notary business requires strategic planning, but the right approach can significantly increase your income.

Expand Your Notary Business and Boost Your Earnings

Adding complementary services like fingerprinting, permit running, and field inspections helps diversify your income and attract more clients. Whether you focus on one area or offer multiple services, expanding your notary business ensures long-term success.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Explore additional resources and training at the Notary Public Association to grow your expertise and maximize your earnings.