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Types of Notaries: Notary Public vs. Signing Agent vs. Remote Online Notary
The three main types of notaries are the notary public, the notary signing agent (NSA), and the remote online notary (RON). Every one starts from a state notary commission: a signing agent adds loan-document training and a background check, while a remote online notary adds state authorization to notarize for signers over live video. They are stackable roles, not separate professions.
Published: July 10, 2026 · Last updated: July 16, 2026 · By Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC — CEO & Founder, USA Notary
"Types" vs. "roles." This page covers the industry types of notary — a public classification that applies no matter which platform you use. If you're instead asking how you engage with USA Notary (bringing your own clients versus receiving assigned work), that's a different question answered on Subscriber vs. Contractor notary roles, alongside what to expect as a platform notary.
Notary Public vs. Signing Agent vs. Remote Online Notary
All three are notaries. They differ in what they're trained and authorized to do, the documents they handle, where the signing happens, and how they get paid.
| Notary Public | Notary Signing Agent (NSA) | Remote Online Notary (RON) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A state-appointed official who serves as an impartial witness to signings | A notary trained to handle loan documents in real estate closings | A notary authorized to notarize for signers who appear over live video |
| Core credential | State notary commission | Notary commission + background check | Notary commission + state RON authorization |
| Typical documents | Acknowledgments, oaths, affidavits and other general documents | Full mortgage / refinance loan document packages | Electronic documents signed in a secure online session |
| Where the signing happens | In person | In person, at the signing table | Remotely, over a recorded audio-video call |
| How they're paid | Per-act fees, often capped at a state maximum, plus travel | Negotiated per loan package (no set maximum) — NNA cites $50–$200 per package | Per session under state law, plus platform / assignment pay |
Sources: NNA — What is a Notary Public and NNA — What is a Notary Signing Agent.
Notary Public: the base commission every other type builds on
A notary public is an official appointed by a state government to serve the public as an impartial witness when important documents are signed. The duties are set by state law, and the notary's core job is to help deter fraud — confirming that each signer is who they claim to be, understands what they're signing, and is signing willingly.
According to the National Notary Association, a notary public's primary responsibilities are to verify a signer's identity, confirm their competence and willingness, administer oaths and affirmations, and oversee the signing of documents. This is the credential you earn first; both of the specializations below start here.
How a notary public earns
Most states set a maximum fee a notary may charge per notarial act, though notaries may also charge for travel or extra services. Getting your commission is the first step — see our state-by-state guide to becoming a notary.
Notary Signing Agent (NSA): the loan-closing specialist
A notary signing agent is a notary who has been trained to handle loan documents in real estate transactions. Lenders and title companies hire signing agents as independent contractors to assist in the last step of the loan process — the step that lets the loan fund. The NSA prints the loan package, meets the signer, notarizes their signature, and returns the documents for processing.
The National Notary Association is explicit that all signing agents are commissioned notaries, but not all notaries are signing agents. What separates the two is a background check and loan-document training — a signing agent is not a loan officer and never explains loan terms to the borrower.
How a signing agent earns
There is no maximum fee a signing agent may charge per assignment. The NNA states that signing agents generally make between $50 and $200 to present, notarize, and return a loan document package, with fees negotiated based on travel, time, and local demand.
Want the full path, requirements, and state restrictions? Read our dedicated guide to becoming a loan signing agent.
Remote Online Notary (RON): notarizing over live video
A remote online notary is a notary who has met their state's additional requirements to be authorized to perform remote notarizations. Instead of meeting in person, the signer appears over a live, recorded audio-video call, and the documents are electronic. This is remote online notarization.
RON authority is granted state by state, so what's permitted — and how you become authorized — depends on where you're commissioned. Per the National Association of Secretaries of State, 47 states and the District of Columbia currently have a law that allows remote e-notarization — Virginia pioneered RON back in 2011. We track this state by state: see where remote online notarization is legal.
The demand side is real: on USA Notary, consumer remote notarization costs $25 per document, and the service is available to signers in all 50 states, 24/7. Someone has to be on the notary side of those sessions — which is why RON authorization is the specialization we recommend adding first.
How a remote online notary earns
RON pay follows your state's rules for the notarial act, but the model is what makes it different: because signers appear online, a remote online notary isn't limited to local, walk-in work. USA Notary connects authorized online notaries with assigned, paid remote signings — see how notaries earn on the platform.
How the Three Types Stack: From Notary Public to NSA and RON
You don't choose one type for life. Most working notaries start with the base commission and add specializations. Here's the order it generally happens.
- 1
Become a commissioned notary public
Meet your state's eligibility rules — generally at least 18, a legal resident, with no felony convictions — then submit an application and fee, complete any required training or exam, file your bond and oath, and get your notary supplies.
- 2
Add loan signings — become a signing agent
Check whether your state restricts signing agents, pass a background screening, and take a loan-signing training course and exam. The NNA notes signing agents are also expected to carry errors-and-omissions (E&O) insurance — the Signing Professionals Workgroup recommends a minimum $25,000 policy.
- 3
Add remote online notarization — become a RON
Meet your state's additional authorization requirements for remote notarization, then work through an approved RON platform. Because authority varies by state, confirm your state's rules on our RON legality guide before you apply.
Signing-agent and commissioning steps summarized from the NNA — How to Become a Notary Signing Agent.
Mobile, Employee, and Electronic Notaries: Labels That Confuse People
"Mobile notary," "employee notary," and "e-notary" show up constantly in searches for notary types, but none of them is a separate credential. Each describes where a notary works, who they work for, or what medium the documents are in — layered on the same state notary public commission covered above.
Mobile notary
A mobile notary is a notary public who travels to the signer — a home, hospital, office, or jail — instead of working from a fixed location. The notarial acts are identical to any walk-in notarization; what changes is the travel — which is why notaries may charge for travel on top of the per-act fee, as noted in the earnings comparison above. If you're a signer weighing this option against an online session, our mobile notary guide compares costs and turnaround side by side.
Employee notary
An employee notary is a commissioned notary who notarizes as part of a job — at a bank, law firm, title company, or government office. As with the mobile label, "employee" describes who the notary works for, not a different credential: it's the same state commission, exercised on an employer's clock instead of independently.
Electronic notary (e-notary / IPEN) — not the same as RON
Electronic notarization uses digital documents, signatures, and seals — but, as Talty Court Reporters' guide to notarial acts puts it, it still requires that the signer and notary are together in person. That in-person electronic model is called IPEN. A remote online notary goes one step further: the signer appears on live video instead of in the room. The distinction matters when you apply for authorization, and we break it down fully in IPEN vs. RON.
So when someone asks about "mobile notary vs. signing agent vs. online notary," they're mixing two axes: a mobile notary and an online notary differ in where the signing happens, while a signing agent differs in what documents they're trained to handle. One person can be all three at once.
Types of Notaries vs. Types of Notarizations: Don't Confuse the Two
Types of notaries describe the professional — notary public, signing agent, remote online notary. Types of notarizations describe the acts every one of those professionals performs. The Notary Public Association groups the common notarial acts as follows.
| Notarial act | What the notary verifies | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | The signer willingly executed the document; they may sign beforehand but must personally appear before the notary | Real estate documents, powers of attorney, trusts |
| Jurat | The signer swears the document's contents are truthful; the notary witnesses the signing and administers the oath | Affidavits, sworn statements, depositions |
| Oath / affirmation | A verbal pledge of truthfulness — an oath invokes a higher power, an affirmation does not | Sworn testimony, oaths of office |
| Signature witnessing | The notary observes the signer physically signing; no oath is required | Contracts, general agreements |
| Copy certification | A photocopy matches the original; some states prohibit certifying copies of birth certificates, death certificates, or court-issued documents | Passports, diplomas, licenses |
Act definitions summarized from the Notary Public Association — Understanding the Different Types of Notarizations.
Why this matters for choosing a notary type: every notary public can perform the acts their state authorizes, whether the session is in person or over live video. The two acts people mix up most — and the ones that change what certificate wording your document needs — get a full breakdown in our jurat vs. acknowledgment guide. And if you're still at "what does a notary actually do," start with what a notary public is.
Which Type of Notary Do You Need — or Want to Become?
The answer depends on which side of the table you're on. Run down whichever list fits.
If you need a document notarized
- 1
Everyday documents — affidavits, powers of attorney, consent forms: any notary public can handle these. Online is usually fastest; on USA Notary the signer appears on live video and pays $25 per document.
- 2
A mortgage or refinance closing — your lender or title company arranges the notary, and it will typically be a signing agent. You don't hire one yourself; see how a notary differs from a signing agent for what to expect at the table.
- 3
A signer who can't travel or lacks internet — a traveling notary comes to them; compare options in our guide to mobile notary services.
If you're building a notary career
- 1
Not yet commissioned? Start with the base credential — our state-by-state guide to becoming a notary walks through every state's application path.
- 2
Want real-estate volume? Add the signing-agent qualification — background check plus loan-document training.
- 3
Want work that isn't tied to your zip code? Get your state's RON authorization and work signings where the signer appears on live video — no printing, no driving.
Which Type Fits Your Notary Business?
If you want work that isn't tied to your local area, the remote online notary path is where the growth is. USA Notary gives authorized online notaries the platform and assigned, paid signings to turn a commission into income. See how notaries earn, or learn how you'll engage with the platform as a subscriber or contractor.
Become a Remote Online NotaryFrequently Asked Questions
What are the main types of notaries?
The three most common types are the notary public (the base commission), the notary signing agent (NSA), and the remote online notary (RON). The National Notary Association also describes employee and mobile notaries — but those describe where or for whom a notary works, not a separate credential. Every type starts from a state notary public commission.
What is the difference between a notary public and a notary signing agent?
All notary signing agents are commissioned notaries, but not all notaries are signing agents. A notary public performs general notarial acts, while a notary signing agent (NSA) is a notary trained to handle loan documents in real estate closings and, per the NNA, must pass a background check to work with lenders and title companies.
Do you need a certification to become a notary signing agent?
A signing agent certification is not legally required, according to the National Notary Association, but it is preferred by mortgage finance companies to meet Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) compliance requirements. To work as an NSA you must hold an active notary commission and pass a background screening.
How much do notary signing agents earn per loan signing?
The National Notary Association states that notary signing agents generally make between $50 and $200 to present, notarize, and return a loan document package. There is no maximum fee an NSA may charge per assignment; signing agents negotiate their own fees based on travel, time, and demand.
What is a remote online notary (RON)?
A remote online notary is a notary who has met their state's additional requirements to be authorized to perform remote notarizations — notarizing for signers who appear over a live, recorded audio-video call instead of in person. RON authority is set state by state.
Can one person be all three types of notary?
Yes. The types build on one another. You first become a commissioned notary public, then you can add loan-signing work by qualifying as a signing agent and/or add remote online notarization by meeting your state’s RON authorization requirements. Many working notaries hold more than one.
Are notary signing agents allowed in every state?
Most states allow notary signing agents to perform loan signings in real estate closings, but the NNA notes there are 19 states with specific requirements — such as required attorney involvement or a professional license — that may restrict how signing agents work. Always check your state’s rules first.
Are there different levels of being a notary?
No state issues ranked "levels" of notary — every notary holds the same base credential: a state notary public commission. What look like levels are added authorizations layered on that commission: signing-agent qualification (background check plus loan-document training) and state RON authorization. Some private platforms market their own internal tiers, but those are company programs, not state credentials.
About the author
Andrew Ray Yon, MBA, ChFC
CEO & Founder, USA Notary Services LLC
Andrew Ray Yon is the founder and CEO of USA Notary Services LLC and the architect of the SharpNote remote online notarization platform. A Certified Notary Signing Agent since 2005, he has handled mortgage and title loan signings for two decades — personally completing more than 10,000 notarizations — and holds an MBA and the ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation. Based in Virginia’s Greater Richmond region, he leads the company’s strategy, compliance, and platform development.
Connect on LinkedInSources
- National Notary Association — What is a Notary Public? (notary definition, responsibilities, fees, notary types)
- National Notary Association — What is a Notary Signing Agent? (NSA definition, responsibilities, per-package earnings)
- National Notary Association — How to Become a Notary Signing Agent (background check, certification, E&O, state restrictions)
- Notary Public Association — Understanding the Different Types of Notarizations (notarial act definitions and typical uses)
- National Association of Secretaries of State — Remote Electronic Notarization (47 states + D.C. with remote e-notarization laws; Virginia first in 2011)
- Talty Court Reporters — Understanding Different Types of Notarial Acts (electronic in-person notarization vs. RON)
This guide is for general information, not legal advice. Notary requirements — including signing-agent rules and remote online notarization authority — are set by each state and can change. Always confirm current requirements with your state's commissioning authority before applying.