Notary Resume: Example, Template and How To Write One

Whether you work as a self-employed notary or are employed with a bank, real estate firm or government institution, your resume can be a beneficial tool to help you expand your career. Understanding what notary resumes look like could help you determine what to include in yours.

In this article, we share a guide for how to write your own resume as a notary, along with a template, example and tips to help you optimize yours.

What is a notary?

A notary is a state-approved individual who administers and oversees the signing of legal documents. Notaries can be self-employed or full-time employees of institutions that process a high volume of official paperwork. Notaries verify all information is correct, confirm the identities of the signees and observe the signing process.

Where does a notary work?

These individuals can find work at:

• Real estate companies

• Banks

• Lenders

• Law firms

• Health care companies

• Schools

• Car dealerships

Related: 6 Reasons To Become a Notary Public (Plus What They Do)

How to write a notary resume

Follow these steps to create a notary resume:

1. Choose an appropriate format

Most notary resumes use a reverse-chronological format, which lists your work experience, starting with your most recent role. You could also use a functional resume, which focuses on specialized skills and competencies. Here are some other formatting tips to implement:

• Give your resume 1-inch margins on all sides.

• Choose a font that's professional and easy to read.

• Use headers and bullet points to make your resume easy to skim.

Related: Functional vs. Chronological Resume: What's the Difference?

2. Add your contact details

It's important that hiring managers and clients can find your contact information readily when glancing at your resume. Add a header to the top of the page that includes your name, phone number and email address.

Related: How To Write Contact Information That Gets Your Resume Noticed

3. Write a professional summary

Next, you can draft a brief two- or three-sentence summary section highlighting your most relevant qualifications. You could focus on skills and experiences like:

• Legal industry experience

• State appointment information

• Specializations, like escrow or insurance claims

Related: How To Find Remote Notary Jobs (With Steps and Tips)

4. Describe your work experience

One of the most substantial sections on your resume is the work experience. Add entries for your recent relevant jobs, describing your duties and highlighting the value you brought to your previous workplaces.

Related: Legal Secretary vs. Legal Assistant: What's the Difference?

5. Implement resume keywords

Analyze the job description and identify keywords, which are skills, technologies, experiences and qualifications the employer specifically requests. Then, find opportunities to include these keywords in your resume. Here are some terms to include on a notary resume:

• Notary seal

• Legal documents

• Contracts

• Affidavits

• Closing paperwork

• Public records

• Local laws

• Litigation support

• Research

Related: How To Become a Closing Notary

6. List your skills

Add a skills section where you include the hard and soft skills that qualify you for the position. Here are some key skills for notaries:

7. List your educational credentials

State requirements for notaries can vary, but a formal degree is typically voluntary. Most states require notaries to complete a brief training program, though, outlining the key responsibilities for that state. 

List your formal education, like your high school diploma or any college degree, along with the schools you attended. Start with the most recent. Add any additional training information if it's relevant to the career path.

Related: How To Include Your High School Education on a Resume

8. Add licenses and certifications

Official appointment from your state is mandatory, so list your status as an appointed notary in your area. Add any additional certifications that may strengthen your candidacy, such as professional credentials in legal assistance or contracts.

Related: Notary Public Certifications: What You Need To Know

Notary resume template

You can use the template below to create your own resume:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]

[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City], [State]

Professional Summary 

[Two to three sentences that highlight years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications and achievements as a professional.]

Experience

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]

[Company Name] | [City], [State]

• (Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.

• [Job duty]

• [Job duty]

• [Job duty]

• [Job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]

[Company Name] | [City], [State]

• (Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.

• [Job duty]

• [Job duty]

Skills

[Category]: [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill]

[Category]: [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill]

Education 

[Degree and major], [Name of school or university]

Certifications

[Certification name], [Host organization] - [Year completed or expiration date]

To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

Related: How To Find Notary Jobs in 7 Steps (With Job Search Tips)

Notary resume example

Here's a sample notary resume from which you can draw inspiration:

Related: 30 Career Paths for Notaries (Plus How To Become a Notary)

Tips for crafting a successful notary resume

Below are some tips to help you strengthen your resume:

Use action verbs

When discussing your previous work experiences, opt for descriptive action verbs. Options include "verify," "authenticate," "witness," "review" and "process."

Highlight transferable experience

If you're a newly appointed notary leveraging previous experiences in other fields, try to focus on administrative skills. Consider sharing experience filing, proofreading and approving written materials, along with any duties that require precision.

Discuss customer service duties

Notaries interact with the public, so customer service skills and people skills could impress some hiring managers. If you've held jobs in fields like sales, retail or food service, you might mention your customer service duties.

Upload your resume online

If you're a self-employed notary, adding your resume to a job board, your professional website or professional social media accounts could help you attract new clients. Remember to update it regularly if you do share it online.