How to Add Notary Public to Your Resume

One of the easiest, quickest and low-cost skills to add to your resume is a status as a notary public. You'll bring value to almost any business and may not even need any training to add this skill to your CV. Learn the process for becoming a notary public to add this qualification to your career toolkit and create a more impressive resume.

What Is a Notary Public?

A notary public is a person who acts as an impartial witness to the completion of legal documents, explains the National Notary Association. A common example is watching one or more parties sign a legal document, such as a will, contract or property deed. Once a notary has witnessed the signing, she stamps the document with her notary seal, dates the document and signs her name.

Notaries become government ministerial officials by filling out an application to ensure they live in the state in which they are applying and passing a background check.

How to Become a Notary

To become a notary, you usually fill out an application form, pay a processing fee, and take an oath of office. Some states require that you take a class or training course. Georgia, for example, does not require any training. You follow a simple, four-step process that you begin online, according to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.

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What Are Notary Public Job Duties?

The first step is to find out if your county lets you file an application online or if you need to download your application or go to the Clerk of the Superior Court office in your county to fill one out; most counties let you fill out the application online. Next, fill out the application. You need two references, called endorsers.

After you fill out the application, take it to the Clerk of the Superior Court office in your county to finish the process of applying, submit the application fee and take the oath of office. Once you've done that, purchase your notary seal, which you use to stamp legal documents.

Add It to Your Resume

Many resumes have a list of technical skills or certifications. This could include software and apps you are trained on, professional associations you belong to, or certifications you've earned. This is the area where you should include your designation as a notary public. Include the title "Notary Public" and add where you received your commission and the term of your commission. In Georgia, notary commissions are four-year terms, which you can renew online each time. Put "Notary Public" in boldface letters to make it stand out but keep the heading consistent with other headings you have, such as your colleges, degrees and certificates.

In addition to your resume, include your status as a notary public on your LinkedIn profile. While you're applying for a job, add the designation under your name as part of your email signature to make certain companies you communicate with by email see your status each time.