Finance and insurance · LLC guide · updated
How to start an LLC for a notary and loan signing agent business
Mobile notaries and loan signing agents travel to borrowers and handle closing packages for title companies. A missed signature or misdated document can delay a closing and bring a claim. Your commission is personal, but an LLC can hold the business, the contracts with signing services and the mileage.
Our registered agent is optional: $74.25 a year, the same at renewal. Questions first? Ray or Vinny picks up at (954) 470-8356.
- EIN
- Notary commission
- Notary bond
- E&O insurance
- Background screening
Notary and Loan Signing Agent Business businesses in the U.S.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 541199), the latest U.S. totals.
Why notary and loan signing agent business owners form an LLC
Notarial errors
Errors can invalidate documents and delay closings.
Borrower data
You carry loan packages with personal financial data.
Driving to signings
Lots of miles and appointments.
An LLC keeps the company's debts and claims away from your personal assets when you run it as its own business: its own bank account, contracts signed in its name, and no mixing of money. It does not cover your own negligence, and lenders often ask for a personal guarantee. Insurance comes first.
Licenses and registrations for a notary and loan signing agent business
Federal items link to the agency's own page. State and local rules vary, so pick your state at the top for your state's business portal. Tick items off as you go; the list remembers your progress on this device.
- We do thisForm the LLC and get its EINAlmost every registration above asks for the company's legal name and EIN, so this comes first. We file the LLC with your state for $123.75 plus the state fee, and can get the EIN for $41.25; the IRS also issues it free online.
Insurance and taxes to plan for
Insurance
- Notary bond
Required in many states; it protects the public, not you.
- Errors and omissions
Covers your mistakes; most signing services require it.
Taxes
- Mileage
Mileage to signings is usually your largest deduction.
- Fee caps
Notarial fees capped by your state may be reported separately from signing fees.
Your commission and journal are yours personally, but the LLC can contract with signing services, invoice and pay expenses. Make sure your E&O policy names both you and the LLC.
Forming the LLC itself: 7 steps in every state
- 1. Check the name
- 2. Name a registered agent
- 3. File with the state
- 4. Sign an operating agreement
- 5. Get an EIN
- 6. Open a bank account
- 7. Keep it in good standing
The filing office, fee and yearly report change by state. Open your state's step-by-step guide.
What it costs to form a notary and loan signing agent business LLC
| Cost | File it yourself | With Vermilion Vitez |
|---|---|---|
| State filing fee (paid to the state) | $35 to $520 | $35 to $520 |
| Filing service, operating agreement included | $0 | $123.75 |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | $0 yourself, or $41.25 if we get it |
| Registered agent, per year (optional) | $0 if you serve yourself | $74.25 |
State fees as charged at our checkout. Industry licenses, permits, bonds and insurance above are separate and set by each agency. Checkout shows the card processing fee before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Can my LLC hold my notary commission?
No. Commissions are issued to individuals. The LLC can run the business around it.
Do I need certification to be a loan signing agent?
There is no federal license; many title companies and signing services require background screening and a certification of their choosing.
Does a notary need an LLC?
Not required. It helps keep business money and contracts separate once you do regular signing work.
What insurance does a signing agent need?
Errors and omissions, and the notary bond your state requires.
How much does it cost to form an LLC for a notary and loan signing agent business?
Your state's filing fee ($35 to $520 depending on the state) plus $123.75 if we file it, with the operating agreement included. Industry licenses, bonds and insurance are extra and set by each agency.
Is this page legal or tax advice for my notary and loan signing agent business?
No. It summarizes public rules in general terms, with links to the agencies that set them. For your situation, talk to a licensed attorney or CPA, or book a free call with us.
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Ready when you are
Have us file your Notary and Loan Signing Agent Business LLC
$123.75 plus your state's filing fee, with the operating agreement included. Checkout shows the full total, card processing fee and all, before you pay.
Rather talk first? Call Ray or Vinny at (954) 470-8356.