News From AYS
About Apostilles
A notary can facilitate an apostille for you, for a document going out of the country by completing the SOS cover sheet required and delivering it with the document and processing fee to the California Secretary of State (SOS) for processing, then overnighting it back to the customer in about 3 business days turnaround. Other…
Creating a Successful Mobile Notary Business
As with just about any profession, creating a successful mobile Notary business requires hard work – every day. Beyond a willingness to work hard, there are a number of things anyone trying to succeed as a mobile Notary should consider. These activities have worked for me and the many Notary entrepreneurs I have mentored through…
How a New Notary used a Coach to Make it a Game Changer
A local mom wanted a way to generate income but not at the expense of her young children. She chose being a notary and immediately sought out the help of a coach (Me!) to get her started. Nothing however is a substitute for Effort, and by following her Coaches’ advice she built a solid business…
The Challenges of Notarizing for International Adoption
The most rewarding and challenging assignments I handle as a mobile Notary are for prospective parents involved in the process of international adoption. Rewarding because they will have a child at the end of the process, and challenging because there are some demanding considerations for Notaries that you will not learn when you get your…
The Secret to Networking
I really like this article as it reminds us about how simple it can be to connect with others by showing interest and/or offering assistance to them rather than concerning ourselves with what they bring to us. Networking is the cornerstone to being self-employed and keeping channels of work flowing. To this end, I have…
National Notary Public Day
As we recognize National Notary Public Day, every November 7 – I always liked this quote from a while back that describes how I feel about being a Notary perfectly. And it truly sums up our impact on the public we serve. “Properties are conveyed, contracts are honored, adoptions are finalized, estate plans are established…
Ensuring a Successful Notarization in Health Care Facilities
[Updated 1/15/2026] In December 2025, I published a book about this, The Compassionate Notary: A Field Guide to Signings in Hospitals, Hospice and for the Homebound. If you’re looking to add another business offering to your mobile Notary work, you can look for assignments at hospitals and rehab centers in your community. Serving patients or…
Stuff Happens, Are You Ready?
National Preparedness Month: Why My Sons Have “Permission Slips” for Life When my two sons turned 18, I made sure they each had a Power of Attorney and an Advance Health Care Directive in place. At that point, nothing happened-except life. One bought a house, the other got married and had two kids. Along the…
3 Tips to Get Past the Gatekeeper
How do I get past the gatekeeper at facilities I am asked frequently as well as observe in notary forums about how difficult it is to get in the door at facilities. I suggest rather than dropping your business cards or brochures off at local facilities announcing your notary service, consider how you can improve…