Many people have a family doctor. They might also have a family lawyer, a family pastor, an accountant, and a few other people whom they turn to when they need those particular types of services. They feel comfortable turning to just one person, because that person is intimate with their family medical history, their personal history, their financial situation, their legal situation, ... etc. And it's someone whom they can trust.
So why not have a family notary?
The thought crossed my mind today after I received a call from a woman who needed notary service. I did the closing for her and her husband a couple of weeks ago at their place of work. They were happy that they didn't have to leave work to do their closing. And they were pleased with how I handled their loan documents, and how I safeguarded their personal information. I believe they felt I was someone whom they could trust. And I have a feeling that they will call me again when they need a notary.
Although a notary public is a public servant, it's not out of the question that people can have just one notary whom they can turn to for all of their notary needs -- someone whom they can trust. And you want a notary who has passed a background screening.
And if that notary is also a mobile notary, they know that they can depend on him or her to come to them when most businesses are closed for the day.
They have a notary who makes 'house calls' -- in any type of weather.
Another benefit to having a family notary is that the notary won't need to see your identification each time you need something notarized. The notary can identify you based on personal knowledge.
There are many types of documents that depend on the services of a notary: Wills, Power of Attorney, Copy Certifications, real estate documents, travel documents, employment documents, financial documents, ... and many more.
Instead of going to a different notary each time you needed notary service, you would turn to your family notary, and have the notarization done in the privacy of your own home.
Do you have a family notary?
Leon - With places like The UPS Store, FedEx and such getting notary capabilities, do you think that has cut into your business? Personally, I find that those notaries aren't very attentive and I certainly wouldn't want them notorizing my closing paperwork. I actually like your post and it made me think that I should know a good notary that I can trust with my clients as much as I want a good closer, lender, handyman, cleaning service, etc. Thanks for making me think a bit there.
Matt, most of my business comes from doing loan closings. So I don't compete with FedEx and the UPS Store for notary business. I also serve as a mobile notary for people who can't get away from work, get out of the house, make it to FedEx, ... etc.
There are many times when I will refer people to FedEx or the UPS Store. Some people don't need a notary who will travel to them, and don't want to pay the travel fee that I charge. So I offer them an alternative.
Leon - Thanks for the answer. I had never really thought about the impact of places like that until I read your post, so I thought it was a good time to ask an expert. My wife is actually a notary as her employer needed so much stuff done, they set her up as one.
I used to be the family notary. Now we just go to my aunt.