A $500 Investment Turned Into $12k/yr (remote) Notary Side Hustle

If you’re new here, we turn $1 into thousands building these weird but simple side hustles. Welcome to Ghost Business 👻 Your (mostly) weekly email

TLDR;

• remote notarizations (aka RON)

• $500 set up cost

• working about 10 hours a week

• make $1k/month from the start

Of all the side hustles you could ink into your calendar, becoming a Remote Online Notary (RON) might be one of the most underrated. It's low-cost, high-trust, and surprisingly flexible — as long as you're okay learning a little legal lingo and don’t mind turning your webcam into a digital witness stand.

I chatted with u/Weary_Bird_1773 on Reddit, how a first-time notary got up and running for about $500 and made just under $1,000 in their first month — working about 40 hours a month. That included remote notarizations, mobile appointments, and loan signings.

It’s not flashy. It’s not passive. But it’s steady, real, and you get to help people in major life moments — wills, closings, medical directives — all from your kitchen table.

Let’s break it down.

Getting started

Startup Costs: $300–$500

What you need to launch:

• Your state notary commission (apply via your Secretary of State)

• A bond and E&O insurance (typically required)

• Remote Online Notary training and certification (e.g. NNA-approved courses)

• A platform like BlueNotary or Notarize.com to legally conduct online appointments

Nice to have:

• A basic website + booking link

• Some branding to look more legit than your average Craigslist notary

• A webcam, a decent background, and a clear voice

You can go live in less than a month and be stamping docs for cash.

Getting Your First Clients

Here’s how this notary did it:

1. Word of Mouth for Wills and Closings

Start with your own network. Ask friends, family, and coworkers if they know anyone who needs documents notarized. Emphasize convenience: “I can notarize your documents via video chat. No driving. No waiting.”

2. Partner With the Paper People

Reach out to:

• Title companies

• Real estate agents

• Law offices

• Healthcare providers

These folks need notaries constantly. A quick pitch email with your credentials and availability goes a long way. One relationship could keep you busy for months.

3. Local SEO & Google Business

Set up a profile. Optimize for “[City] notary” and “online notary near me.” Many people Google in a panic when they need something notarized fast — you want to be the first name they see.

4. Bonus Hustle: Paid Ads + Automation

Once you’re set up, a small ad budget ($5–$10/day) on Google or Facebook can drive leads directly to your calendar. Use booking tools like Calendly or Acuity to automate scheduling and confirmations.

Building to $5,000 a Month

Let’s do the math:

• $25–$40 per online notarization

• $75–$200+ per loan signing

• $50–$150 for mobile appointments (plus mileage)

At 5–6 appointments a day, five days a week, you’re in the $4K–$6K/month range — especially if you mix in high-fee services like loan signings or emergency mobile visits.

Ways to Grow:

• Specialize in loan signings: Learn the paperwork and you can easily double your average fee

• Build recurring referral channels: Become the go-to for 3–5 real estate offices or estate planning attorneys

• Train other notaries: Once you're established, you can charge to help others get started

• Offer off-hours or weekend services: Charge premium rates when others are off the clock

Viability:

1 [building spaceships] 🚀 to 5 [easy peasy] 😊 

This one is going to be tough, the market can be saturated and building your book of business ins’t easy. This on average is making ~$25/hr, which isn’t pie in the sky money.

But it’s a real business with a real value prop: convenience, trust, and legally binding peace of mind.

You’re not selling courses. You’re not dropshipping questionable gadgets. You’re helping people close chapters and start new ones — one notarized form at a time.

And if you ever wanted a business that literally pays you to stay at home and stay on top of paperwork?

This might just be your stamp of destiny.

(As usual each business will have it’s own setbacks, and it’s all about the execution and consistency rather than just having the idea)

It’s a great day to be great!

Love, Mike 👋