The Non-Negotiables
Your official notary stamp or seal — your state will specify the exact required specifications. Your notary journal — required in most states and essential for your own legal protection regardless of state law. These two items are the legal foundation of your notary practice and should be your very first purchases after receiving your commission.
For Mobile Notaries and Signing Agents
A reliable all-in-one printer capable of printing 50+ pages per signing at a low per-page cost — Brother laser printers are popular among signing agents for their economical high-volume printing. A professional tote bag to keep documents organised during travel. A portable phone charger for long days of appointments. Reliable GPS or navigation app for finding locations quickly.
Nice to Have But Not Essential at Start
A thermal label printer for shipping documents. A document scanning app for your phone (CamScanner or Adobe Scan). A digital signing log to track appointments and income. Business cards with a QR code linking to your Google review page or website.
What to Skip Early
Expensive notary management software before you have consistent volume. A separate office or co-working space — mobile work is inherently location-independent. Branded merchandise beyond business cards. Invest in your professional website before any of these optional extras — it delivers far higher returns.