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If you’ve been a notary for at least a little while, you’ve probably already learned that people will call you at all hours. It might be an urgent real estate closing, a last-minute power of attorney, or someone who simply didn’t realize it’s 10:30 at night.
How you handle those calls can make the difference between gaining a loyal client or burning yourself out. Let’s talk about how to navigate after-hours requests in a way that protects your time, keeps your boundaries, and still leaves room for opportunity.
Decide Your Actual Availability Before the Calls Come In
One of the biggest mistakes notaries make is figuring out their boundaries in the moment. That’s when you’re more likely to say “yes” out of guilt or “no” out of frustration.
If you want to take after-hours work, decide your window in advance. Maybe that’s 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Maybe you’re strictly 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Whatever you decide, commit to it.
This also helps you set client expectations upfront on your website, business cards, and social media so you don’t have to explain it every time.
Put a System in Place to Screen Calls
After-hours calls can be a mix of serious needs and non-urgent questions. Instead of answering everything live, consider using:
A dedicated business line with voicemail stating your hours and emergency fee.
An online booking tool that shows your availability in real time.
A text auto-reply that thanks them for reaching out and lets them know when you’ll respond.
The goal is to make sure you don’t feel tied to your phone while still giving potential clients a way to reach you.
Price for the Inconvenience
If you’re going to leave your couch at 8:45 PM to notarize something, your rate should reflect that. This is not just about being paid for your time, it’s about valuing your service and the disruption to your personal schedule.
Be clear and upfront: “My after-hours fee is $X in addition to the travel and notarization fees.” You’ll find that people who truly need your help will still say yes.
Protect Your Safety
Meeting strangers after dark comes with extra risk. If you take late appointments, choose public, well-lit locations like a coffee shop or hotel lobby. If it’s a home visit, bring someone with you or let a trusted friend know your exact location and expected time frame.
Your safety is more important than any single appointment.
Learn to Say No Without Guilt
Not every call is worth taking. If you’re exhausted, if the request feels off, or if it would require you to compromise your safety or values, you have full permission to decline.
You can say, “I’m not available right now, but I’d be happy to schedule you for the morning.” Sometimes that’s all it takes to turn a late-night call into a daytime appointment.
The Bottom Line
After-hours calls are part of the notary business but they don’t have to control your life. By setting boundaries, using tools to filter requests, and charging appropriately, you can serve clients when it works for you not the other way around.
If you want more strategies like this and step-by-step guidance on building a notary business that works for your lifestyle, join The Notary Blueprint® Community. You’ll get training, templates, and real-world advice from notaries who have been where you are and know how to help you succeed.
