How Much Do Notaries Make in South Dakota in 2025?

In 2025, the notary public profession in South Dakota remains a valuable and accessible career path for those seeking flexible income or independent business opportunities. With the continued growth in remote work, real estate transactions, and digital documentation, the demand for commissioned notaries remains steady, and in some communities, it’s even rising. Whether you’re a part-time notary looking to supplement income or aiming to build a full-time notary business, knowing how much you can earn in South Dakota is essential.

This blog examines the range of notary earnings across the state, from basic services to more advanced opportunities, such as loan signings and remote online notarization. We’ll also highlight regional trends, fee structures, business strategies, and key factors that influence your earnings potential.

The Value of Notarial Services in South Dakota

Notaries in South Dakota play a key role in safeguarding the legitimacy of important documents. From small towns to growing cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City, they help deter fraud and confirm the identity of signers for various legal and business documents.

Understanding the demand for notary services provides essential context for evaluating income opportunities across various regions and industries.

What Do General Notaries Earn in South Dakota?

General notaries handle standard services, such as acknowledgments, oaths, affirmations, and jurats. These are typically quick signings that can be completed in under 15 minutes.

Before diving into fee structures and income examples, it’s essential to understand what qualifies as general notary work and how it fits into your overall income strategy.

State-Set Fees and Common Add-Ons

The state allows notaries to charge up to $10 per signature. However, that doesn’t mean you’re limited to just $10 per appointment. Many notaries include administrative, printing, or scheduling fees, provided they are communicated to the client. You can also add charges for:

• Extra copies of signed documents
• On-demand (same-day or emergency) service
• Meeting at a public location like a library or courthouse

Income Examples for General Notaries

Let’s say a general notary handles:

• 4 appointments per day, 5 days a week
• 2 signatures per appointment on average
• $10 per signature = $20/appointment

That equals:

• $100/day
• $500/week
• $2,000/month
• $24,000/year (working 12 months)

This income can increase with mobile services, weekend scheduling, or offering multiple services to the same client.

Earnings as a Mobile Notary in South Dakota

Mobile notarization is gaining popularity, particularly in rural counties where access to banks or law offices may be limited. Clients are willing to pay travel fees for the convenience of a notary coming directly to them.

Let’s take a look at how mobile notaries can structure their pricing and what kind of income they can realistically generate.

How Mobile Notaries Charge

While the state caps the fee per notarial act, travel fees are not regulated in South Dakota. Notaries commonly charge:

• A flat trip fee (e.g., $25-$40)
• Mileage beyond a certain radius
• Waiting time if the client is late

Mobile notaries typically earn between $40 and $100 per appointment.

Monthly Earnings Potential

If you complete 60 mobile appointments per month at an average of $65 per visit, you could earn $3,900 per month or over $46,000 annually. For many rural notaries, this is both sustainable and scalable.

Notary Signing Agent (NSA) Income in South Dakota

Loan signing agents work with mortgage, title, and escrow companies to notarize closing documents. This specialization requires certification, which can significantly increase your earning potential.

In this section, we explore signing agent fees, the certification process, and what a monthly or annual workload might look like.

Per-Signing Rates

Typical rates in South Dakota are:

• $75 to $100 for refinance or buyer/seller packages
• $125+ for full mortgage closings
• $25-$50 extra for rural travel, scan backs, or rush signings

Workload and Annual Earnings

Let’s say you average:

• 12 signings/month @ $100 = $1,200/month
• 30 signings/month = $3,000/month
• 50 signings/month = $5,000/month

Over 12 months, a busy NSA could earn between $30,000 and $60,000+, with some high performers reaching six figures when combined with mobile and general services.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) in South Dakota

South Dakota permits Remote Online Notarization, allowing notaries to work with clients virtually using secure audiovisual platforms. This has been a game-changer for those who want to work from home or serve signers who live outside their local area.

Let’s walk through the RON setup requirements and estimate how much income you could generate with a virtual-only service.

Getting Started with RON

To perform RON, notaries must:

• Be commissioned in South Dakota
• Use an approved RON platform
• Follow identity verification and document retention laws

Earning from RON

Many notaries charge $20-$25 per online notarization. Because there’s no travel time, you can schedule multiple RONs per day.

For example:

• 4 RONs/day @ $20 = $80
• 20 workdays/month = $1,600/month
• 12 months = $19,200/year

Some notaries integrate RON into their existing offerings for clients who need flexibility or live out of town.

Combining Services to Maximize Income

Diversification is one of the most effective strategies for increasing notary income. Combining general, mobile, loan signing, and RON services allows you to serve a broader range of clients and charge higher total fees.

We’ll demonstrate how various services can be combined for robust, stable monthly earnings.

Full-Time Income Model

Here’s an example monthly breakdown:

• General notary acts: $500
• Mobile appointments: $2,000
• Loan signings: $3,000
• RON: $1,000

Total: $6,500/month = $78,000/year

This figure doesn’t include tips, upsells, or other business-related services such as fingerprinting, I-9 verifications, or apostille processing.

Regional Demand: Urban vs. Rural Notaries

Location matters when building a notary business. Whether you’re in a larger city or a small town, your environment will shape demand and pricing power.

Here’s what to expect from different regions within South Dakota.

Sioux Falls and Rapid City

These cities offer a higher volume and increased competition. Notaries here often focus on:

• Same-day appointments
• Loan signings
• B2B services for law offices and realtors

Rural Counties

Fewer notaries mean higher demand. You can:

• Charge premium travel rates
• Develop long-term client relationships
• Partner with local banks, schools, or hospitals for recurring needs

Licensing, Tools, and Startup Costs

Becoming a notary in South Dakota is a straightforward and affordable process. Once commissioned, all you need are a few essential tools to start serving clients immediately.

Let’s break down the costs of getting started and the equipment you’ll need to be competitive.

What You Need to Get Commissioned

• South Dakota residency or work presence
• $5,000 surety bond
• Application fee ($30)
• Notary stamp and journal

Tools of the Trade

• Smartphone for mobile scheduling
• Printer/scanner for loan docs
• Secure internet for RON
• Reliable vehicle (for mobile work)

Startup costs are typically low, ranging from $150 to $500, which includes your bond and supplies.

Business Tips to Increase Your Notary Income

Running your commission like a small business is one of the most effective ways to increase long-term income. Many of the highest-earning notaries take a structured approach to pricing, branding, and operations.

Here are several proven strategies to grow your notary revenue over time.

Tip 1: Build a Web Presence

• Google Business Profile
• Yelp or Nextdoor listings
• Social media pages with reviews

Tip 2: Join Notary Networks

• Signing agent platforms
• Real estate networking events
• Local chamber of commerce

Tip 3: Upsell Wisely

• Offer after-hours or weekend service
• Add document courier delivery
• Provide wedding officiant or fingerprinting

Tip 4: Track Income and Expenses

Use a spreadsheet or bookkeeping software to:

• Track mileage
• Write off business expenses
• Measure your most profitable services

Want to Build a 5-Figure Notary Income in South Dakota?

You absolutely can. With low startup costs and multiple ways to serve your community, being a notary in South Dakota offers both personal and financial rewards. The key is knowing your value, setting competitive fees, and staying visible to clients.

Whether you’re just getting started or ready to scale, there’s never been a better time to take your notary business seriously.

Want guidance, tools, and professional support? 

Visit the Notary Public Association to access in-depth resources and training built for notaries like you.