Loan Signing Fees
Across online notary forums and industry meetings, one topic dominates conversations in 2025: the downward pressure on loan signing fees. As mortgage rates fluctuate and housing markets adjust, many professional notaries report receiving offers as low as $50 for full loan signings that previously commanded $150 or more. From California to Florida, experienced notaries share stories of signing services and title companies continuously reducing their fee structures while expecting the same level of expertise and service.
This concerning trend was front and center during our recent monthly roundtable at Notary2Pro. With notaries from across the country in attendance, the discussion quickly turned to sustainability in a market where compensation doesn’t always reflect the professional skills, liability, and expenses involved in providing quality loan signing services.
The Current State of Loan Signing Fees
The question posed during our roundtable addressed a pain point familiar to many notaries: “Since loan signings have become so saturated and businesses have started low balling, has there been a push to regulate the fees?”
Tamika Harris, a faculty member at Notary2Pro with extensive experience in the notary loan signing industry, provided valuable insights on this pressing issue:
“As of now, there hasn’t been a widespread regulatory push to set standard fees for loan signings. Since notary fees for loan signings are typically negotiated rather than state-regulated, signing services and title companies often set their own rates, which can lead to lower offers in a saturated market.”
This reality presents both challenges and opportunities for notaries who are serious about building sustainable businesses. While state regulations typically set maximum fees for standard notarial acts (such as acknowledgments and jurats), the additional services provided during loan signings—including document explanation, coordination between parties, and travel—fall into a different category.
The Impact of Market Saturation
The influx of new notaries into the loan signing field has created a more competitive environment than ever before. Several factors have contributed to this trend:
- Lower barriers to entry: Online training programs have made it easier to obtain notary commissions and loan signing certifications
- Economic uncertainty: Many individuals have turned to notary work as a flexible side hustle or alternative income source
- Limited understanding of costs: Newer notaries may not fully appreciate the business expenses involved, leading them to accept unsustainable rates
For established professionals who have invested in comprehensive training, insurance, equipment, and building client relationships, this dynamic can be frustrating. However, as Tamika emphasized in her response, there are proactive steps notaries can take to navigate these challenges.
Advocating for Fair Compensation
Rather than waiting for external regulation, many experienced notaries are creating change from within the industry. As Tamika noted:
“Many experienced notaries are advocating for fair compensation and encouraging others to know their worth, set firm pricing, and avoid accepting low-ball offers that undervalue the work involved.”
This approach requires a shift in mindset for many notaries. Instead of viewing themselves as passive recipients of whatever fee is offered, successful notaries position themselves as professionals providing valuable services that warrant appropriate compensation.
Practical Strategies for Sustainable Pricing
Based on Tamika’s insights and our experience working with thousands of notaries across the country, we recommend several strategies for maintaining professional-level income despite market pressures:
1. Understand Your Business Costs
Calculate all expenses associated with your notary business, including:
- Notary commission and background check fees
- Loan signing agent certification costs
- Errors and omissions insurance
- Printing supplies and equipment
- Vehicle expenses and maintenance
- Marketing materials
- Continuing education
- Self-employment taxes
Having clarity about your costs helps establish minimum fee thresholds that ensure profitability.
2. Communicate Your Value Proposition
When negotiating fees, be prepared to articulate why your services command professional rates:
- Your specialized training and certifications
- Your experience level and knowledge
- Your reliability and professionalism
- Your ability to handle complex signings
- Your commitment to compliance and accuracy
3. Diversify Your Client Base
As Tamika suggested:
“Networking with direct clients (title companies, attorneys, etc.) and diversifying notary services can also help maintain sustainable income despite market shifts.”
By developing relationships with multiple client types rather than relying exclusively on signing services, you gain more control over your fee structure. Direct relationships with title companies, attorneys, and lenders typically result in better compensation than working exclusively through signing platforms.
4. Expand Your Service Offerings
Consider adding complementary services that leverage your notary commission:
- Real estate document signings beyond mortgages
- Business document notarization
- Estate planning document execution
- Vehicle title transfers
- Loan modification assistance
- Mobile notary services for special populations (elderly, hospitalized, etc.)
5. Join Professional Communities
Connect with other professional notaries through:
- Industry associations
- Online forums and social media groups
- Local notary networks
- Continuing education events
These communities provide support, market intelligence, and collective advocacy for fair industry practices.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Loan Signing Fees
While formal fee regulation may not be on the immediate horizon, the notary industry continues to evolve. Economic conditions, housing market fluctuations, interest rates, and technological changes all influence the demand for loan signing services and, consequently, prevailing fee structures.
What remains constant is the need for professional, well-trained notaries who understand both the technical requirements of loan document execution and the business principles necessary for sustainable practice.
At Notary2Pro, we remain committed to equipping notaries with the knowledge and skills to thrive despite market challenges. Our elite loan signing agent courses are designed not just to teach the mechanics of document execution but to develop business acumen that supports long-term success.
Conclusion
The challenge of fee pressure in a saturated market is real, but not insurmountable. By following Tamika Harris’s advice to know your worth, set firm pricing standards, avoid low-ball offers, and diversify your client base, you can build a resilient notary business that withstands market fluctuations.
Rather than waiting for external regulation to solve pricing challenges, successful notaries are taking proactive steps to educate clients about the value of professional services and to create business models that support fair compensation. Through collective commitment to professional standards, the notary community can influence market practices even without formal fee regulation.
What strategies have you found effective for maintaining professional fees in your notary business? We’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below or during our next monthly roundtable discussion.
This blog post features insights from Tamika Harris, faculty member at Notary2Pro, shared during our monthly industry roundtable. For more information about our elite loan signing agent courses, reach us at contactus@notary2pro.com.