How should a Notary Public craft a resume that stands out and clears ATS filters?
Lead with quantified achievements, tailor technical and interpersonal skills, and feature commissions and certifications prominently. Mirror job description keywords for ATS and proofread to reflect accuracy and professionalism.
The demand for Notaries Public is rising fast, and so is the competition.
With the global online notarization market projected to soar 15.5% annually and hit USD 3.5 billion by 2033, now is a pivotal moment to elevate your career.
But landing the best opportunities means more than just showing up.
To stand out, your resume needs to signal trust, precision, and professionalism from the first glance - the same qualities clients expect from your work.
Here are 7 dos and don’ts to help you craft a notary resume that commands attention and earns trust.
1. Do: Lead with Achievements. Don't: Be Vague
Your professional summary is your resume's opening statement. It's not about what you want (an objective statement), but what you bring to the table.
Highlight your top accomplishments and key qualifications immediately.
- DO Example: "Highly meticulous and NNA-certified Notary Public with 5+ years of experience specializing in loan document signings and general notarizations. Consistently maintained 100% accuracy in document verification and led to a 20% increase in client satisfaction through efficient, mobile services."
- DON'T Example: "Seeking a notary position where I can utilize my skills." (This tells the recruiter nothing specific about you.)
2. Do: Quantify Your Impact. Don't: Just List Duties
Every notary performs similar functions. What sets you apart is the scale and success of your work. Use numbers and metrics to illustrate your work experience.
- DO Example: "Executed over 3,000 notarizations annually, ensuring legal compliance and accuracy for a diverse clientele, including real estate and legal firms."
- DON'T Example: "Responsible for notarizing various legal documents." (This is a job description, not an achievement.)
Pro Tip: Think about the average volume of documents you handle, the percentage of error-free work, or any improvements you introduced. Even if you're newly commissioned, you can quantify training hours or certifications gained.
3. Do: Detail Key Skills. Don't: Be Generic
Your role as a Notary Public demands both sharp technical know-how and exceptional interpersonal finesse. Your skills section must clearly reflect this comprehensive blend, going beyond vague terms.
- DO: Create distinct subsections for your technical skills and your key skills. Tailor these lists by carefully reviewing the job description and integrating specific keywords used by the employer. Include precise software or platforms you're proficient with, like "DocuSign" or "Notarize.com."
- DON'T: Use generic, overused terms or omit critical soft skills essential for client interaction. Avoid simply pasting a long list of skills without tailoring them to the specific job or showcasing their relevance to the notary profession. For instance, skills like "Computer skills, good communication, diligent" are too vague and fail to highlight your specific notary abilities or software expertise.

4. Do: Highlight Certifications. Don't: Bury Them in Experience
Your notary commission and any additional certifications (like Notary Signing Agent) are your primary qualifications. Make them stand out.
- DO: Create a dedicated section titled Certifications & Licenses with details like certification name, date, and certifying authority.
- DON'T: Mention "Commissioned Notary" only within a job description bullet point. (It might get missed by busy recruiters or ATS.)
5. Do: Use Keywords. Don't: Be Generic
70% of large companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. To ensure your resume passes these digital gatekeepers and reaches human eyes, mirror the language used in the job description.
- DO: If the job asks for "Remote Online Notarization (RON) experience," use that exact phrase. If it mentions "real estate closings," incorporate that into your experience.
- DON'T: Use only general terms like "online document signing" when the job specifically asks for "RON."
Pro Tip: Read the job description carefully and identify keywords. Integrate them naturally into your summary, skills, and experience sections.
6. Do: Proofread. Don't: Let Typos Undermine Your Credibility
As a Notary Public, your profession is built on absolute accuracy. This precision must extend to your notary resume, because 77% of hiring managers will reject resumes with even minor typos or bad grammar.
- DO: After drafting, take multiple breaks and come back to your resume with fresh eyes. Have a trusted friend or colleague review it for any overlooked grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or formatting inconsistencies. Double-check every date, number, and word. Use a clean, professional resume format with consistent spacing and font throughout.
- DON'T: Rush the final review process, relying solely on basic spell-checkers, or submit a resume with inconsistent formatting or outdated contact information.

Final Thoughts
Creating a flawless notary resume is about applying the same principles of precision and professionalism that guide your daily work.
By following these essential "Dos and Don'ts," you'll craft a document that not only highlights your qualifications but also builds immediate trust and showcases your commitment to excellence.
And to level up your application, you can use Hiration to create a stellar notary resume with ease. Think AI-crafted bullet points, instant feedback that catches what others miss, and job-specific tailoring that makes your resume impossible to overlook.
With the right support, you can showcase your expertise clearly and confidently - no guesswork, no missed details, just a polished, professional application that seals the deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What should you include in a notary resume summary?
Lead with achievements and key qualifications that show what you bring, not what you want. Highlight top accomplishments immediately in your resume summary.
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How do you quantify your impact on a notary resume?
Use numbers and metrics to illustrate your work experience. Show volume, accuracy, and improvements, such as notarizations completed or client satisfaction gains.
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What skills should you list on a notary resume?
Create distinct subsections for technical and key skills tailored to the job description. Include precise software or platforms like DocuSign or Notarize.com.
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Where should you list notary certifications and licenses on a resume?
Add a dedicated Certifications & Licenses section with certification name, date, and certifying authority. Do not bury your commission or certifications within job descriptions.
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How do you use keywords to pass ATS on a notary resume?
70% of large companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. Mirror the job description’s keywords, using exact phrases like “Remote Online Notarization (RON) experience” or “real estate closings.”
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Why does proofreading a notary resume matter?
77% of hiring managers will reject resumes with even minor typos or bad grammar. Review with fresh eyes and use a clean, professional resume format with consistent spacing and font throughout.
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What common mistakes should you avoid on a notary resume?
Avoid vague summaries, listing duties without results, generic skills, burying certifications, using only general terms instead of required keywords, and rushing proofreading. Prioritize accuracy, clarity, and role-specific terminology.
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Should you use a resume objective or a summary on a notary resume?
Use a professional summary instead of an objective statement. Focus on what you bring to the table, not what you want.
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How can an entry-level notary show value on a resume?
Quantify training hours or certifications gained and any improvements you introduced. Emphasize accuracy and volume indicators appropriate to your experience.
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How should you format a notary resume for clarity?
Use a clean, professional resume format with consistent spacing and font throughout. Double-check every date, number, and word before sending.