How much do loan signing agents make? The truth
By the Steady Ground team ·
Loan signing sounds like an easy side job. You meet someone, show them where to sign their home loan papers and get paid. So how much do loan signing agents make? Here's the honest answer: no one knows for sure. Let's look at what's known, what isn't, and how to work out your own number.
First, what a loan signing agent does
You start as a notary. A notary checks a person's ID, watches them sign and stamps the paper. A loan signing agent is a notary who also handles home loan papers.
A title or signing company calls you. You print a big stack of papers. You drive to the borrower. You show them where to sign. Then you get the package back on time, often the same day.
Signings often happen in the evening or on weekends, when people are home.
Why there's no official pay number
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't track this job. So there's no government pay figure.
The National Notary Association says there's no set fee. Each agent works out their own price with each company.
What you'll hear online
Companies that sell signing agent training often say a signing pays $75 to $200. That might be true for some people. But remember: those sellers want you to buy their course. They have a reason to sound upbeat.
And even if a job pays $75 or more, that's not all yours. You pay your own costs out of it.
The costs that come out of each fee
Before you can do your first signing, you'll need some gear. Here are rough estimates:
- Your notary commission: about $100 to $350, depending on your state.
- Signing agent setup: about $400 to $1,300 or more. That covers things like a good printer, insurance, a background check and training.
- Certification: the National Notary Association's starts at $199. No law requires it, but many companies prefer it.
Then every single job costs you something:
- Gas and miles on your car
- Paper and ink for big loan packages
- Your time to print, drive, sign and send the papers back
How to find your real pay
Here's the smartest thing you can do. Keep a simple log for every job. Write down:
- What the job paid
- How many miles you drove
- What you spent on printing
- How many hours it took, from start to finish
After a few jobs, you'll know what you really earn per signing, and per hour. Some fees won't cover your costs. Be ready to say no to those.
Two things that can stop you
Your state's rules
Some states limit who can do loan closings if you're not a lawyer. The National Notary Association lists Georgia, Vermont, West Virginia and Massachusetts as examples. Check your state before you spend money on setup.
Giving advice
You can say what a paper is called and show where to sign. But you can't explain what the loan terms mean or tell someone whether to sign. If they ask, say, "Please call your lender about that."
Start small
Becoming a notary is one of the cheapest and quickest licenses you can get. So start there. Do everyday notary work first, for local banks, law offices, mail shops or people you know. Many states cap what notaries can charge. In California, it's $15 per signature.
Then, if you like it, add loan signings once the numbers make sense.
Our notary and loan signing agent guide shows the rules in several states and each step to get started. Like the home buying world? Read about real estate agents too. Or take the career quiz.
Quick answers
How much does a loan signing agent make per signing?
There's no official figure. Training sellers quote $75 to $200 a signing, but you pay for gas, printing and supplies out of that. Keep a log to find your real pay.
Do you need certification to be a loan signing agent?
No law requires it, but many companies prefer it. The National Notary Association's certification starts at $199.
Can loan signing be a full-time job?
It can grow over time, but treat it as side income at first. Work rises and falls with the housing market.
Where these facts come from
We checked these sources when we wrote this post. Rules and fees change, so check them before you pay for anything.