Notaries and photo inspections

UPDATE 1-12-21. A message has been posted on OnSource's Facebook Page that the company has permanently closed. We have provided some alternative suggestions for Notaries interested in starting with photo inspections or field inspections below)

One option for mobile Notaries seeking to branch out to other business services is performing photo inspection assignments for extra income.

Insurance companies often need photographic evidence to help process claims, said John Cass, Director of Marketing for OnSource. For example, photos of an automobile’s condition might be needed to verify the details of a car accident.

What Photo Inspectors do

Photo inspectors make an appointment to meet the involved parties, take any photos requested by the insurance company and then forward the photos using a smartphone app provided by the company. The company then verifies and time-stamps the photos and provides them to the insurance company for their records.

How much Photo Inspectors are paid

Photo inspection assignments typically take around 10 minutes plus travel time, and usually pay $18-25 per assignment, Cass said. Assignments usually require five to 10 miles round-trip travel.

What is required to be a Photo Inspector

While actual notarization isn’t required for a photo inspection, Cass said OnSource statistics indicate that many of the best inspectors working for them are also Notaries.

“They are professional and reliable,” he said. “Because of their training, they are used to the kind of precision needed for this type of work.”

Notaries interested in becoming photo inspectors should have a current Android or Apple smartphone (a model produced within the past two or three years) and an automobile.

UPDATE 1-12-21: According to an announcement on Facebook, OnSource has permanently closed and is no longer offering photo inspection assignments. However, there are other companies online such as Photoinspection.com that advertise photo inspection assignments. Notaries may also wish to search for other businesses offering photo inspection assignments in their area by searching under "Photo Inspection Services." Notaries interested in field inspection work may also wish to contact the Society of Field Inspectors for additional information about possible field inspection assignments in their area. Thee NNA does not endorse any specific business offering photo inspection or field inspection work.

David Thun is the Assistant Managing Editor with the National Notary Association.

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57 Comments

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renee nagel

01 Feb 2016

Would like more info on becoming a photo inspector

Ronald V jOsmonson

I interested in some photo inspections. Ronald V Osmonson

Khalid Rana

Very good information, helpful for enhancing Notary service.

Brenda Dunmeyer

I'm interested after tax season . There's other notary can I share this information with them, thank you very much.

Andila C Acuff

I am interested in Being a Mobile notary. I am already a Notary I also drive with Uber already. In the State of Texas.

Susan Centanni

I am interested in becoming a Mobile Notary. I am already a Notary in the state of Nevada.

Lauren Wells

These assignments take more like 1/2 hour; more if you count driving time to and for and time spent uploading and reporting. They are good assignments if you are headed in that direction already and have some breaks in time.

I'm interested in becoming a Mobile Notary for my State SC please send more information.

National Notary Association

09 Feb 2016

Hello. If you are interested in applying as a photo inspector with OnSource, please use the link in the article above. If you are interested in starting a business as a mobile Notary, here are some articles you may find helpful: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/building-your-business. Good luck!

Patrick Lee

I am a Certified Signing Agent with backgound check. Available any day or hour. Seven years of experience.

Mable G.Jordan

I am interested in notary work. Also photo inspections.

janet upshaw

02 Feb 2016

I'M AM CERTIFIED SIGNING AGENT WITH NNA. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN WORK FOR YOU. AVAILABLE 24/7. THANK YOU

03 Feb 2016

Hello. For those asking how you can contact OnSource, you can submit an online application through the link in the last paragraph of the article.

Julie Richardson

Just how are notaries supposed to make any profit with such low paying assignments?!? These fees would barely cover gas and wear on car. We need the NNA to help notaries, not these companies.

Dawn Hinton

I am Notary and a Signing agent. I am interested in becoming a mobile photo inspector.

Linda J Panzo

I'm experienced with auto claim photography used to back insurance claims. I am also a Certified Signing Agent in MI

Darrell Guynes

Just like Lauren Wells stated, these assignments take longer than 30 minutes and don't forget to take into consideration the time that is needed to contact the person and trying to schedule an appointment.

Pablo Alva

I am interested in Being a Mobile notary. I am already a Notary I

Joseph Maita

I actually tried it with OnSource and its a complete joke. Lots of detailed work and follow through, probably at least an hour, plus travel time and then sending back all the docs for $20-30 each assignment. Not worth it.

James D. Pearce

interesting in performing photo inspections for extra income.

Nanci Harrington

09 Mar 2016

I have done many jobs for OnSource and Yes it's a nice way to get some extra cash. However these DO NOT take 10 minutes. If its a small car, more like 20 min. I'm in Montana I have only had one car, everything else has been Large RV's, Extremely Large farm equipment, SUV's, boats etc. The pics you take are in-depth, you need a 25 ft ruler and carry a latter. OnSource was fine to work with and paid on time. I stopped doing jobs for OnSource only because I'm 60 years old and this work is hard on my body, but I did enjoy it. However it takes much more time than they say, so bill accordingly. If damage is on top of an RV or under you will be required to take pictures, so it can also be dirty work.

Julianne Thompson

21 Mar 2016

I am interested in doing notary jobs in Contra Costa County.

Chery

Cheap labor. Notary time's worth more. Stop feeding corporate greed. $40 is a reasonable payment. Notaries sell themselves out this way to be used for cheap. How much does on source make? Farming out this work they better not make more than $10 per photo job.

Paul

22 Mar 2016

According to AAA a small economy car costs $ .45/ mile to operate. OnSourse is paying $18.00 for 20 mile round trip. Mileage totals $18.00. This is before professional services, photos, and follow-up paperwork are performed. No room for profit.

Denise R Jones

02 Apr 2016

would like more information on becoming a photo inspector

04 Apr 2016

Hi Denise. What kind of additional information are your looking for?

Cesar

27 Sep 2016

Been signed up for them for months now and am yet to receive an assignment. I am in the South FL market so there may be too many inspectors not enough assignments.

Peggy

15 Mar 2017

I signed up OnSource and they accept a current background check by any reputable company. I have done three so far. Neat experience.

Anne Shearer

15 May 2017

Would like more info on being a Photo Inspector.

lisa.s.white15@gmail.com

31 Dec 2017

How do I find loan signing agent assignments and notary assignments? Are there websites where I can register? What is your honest thoughts about OnSource & Honest Proctoring?

Grover D Daniels

17 Jan 2018

I do this for WE GO LOOK, get some work, but would like to know who else is doing this as a Company?

Sean

18 Apr 2018

Very good information. I’ll check the insurance side out . I feel you with the 10-20 min job assignment. Soooo the fee is $25-50 per assignment ? Can you I stay just in my county? E mobile notary background approved ! Also any information on what the test for signing agent is like? Going thru the final training before my test. Thanks for all the information. We have great opportunities to be successful as mobile notaries. Whole world I did not know about

26 Apr 2018

Margie M. Barbee

08 May 2018

I am interested in becoming a Photo Inspector

Nicole Tucker

12 Jul 2018

Other than Onsource, what are some names of others.

John Consoli

21 Apr 2019

I am interested in Photo Inspector please forward any information

Kemba

14 May 2019

OnSource application link: https://portal.onsourceonline.com/apply. The link in the article no longer works.

15 May 2019

Thank you for letting us know. We've updated the link.

Federico B. Garza

25 May 2019

I am a brand new commissioned Notary for the State of Texas with no notary experience yet....but I sincerely want to do Notary Photo Inspections in the Houston area...I am 69, retired and in need of extra income.

28 May 2019

Please see this article for more information about photo inspections: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2016/01/company-seeking-notaries-photo-inspections

samcely00662@gmail.com

18 Nov 2019

How can I become a Photo Inspector in South Dakota

19 Nov 2019

Hello. You may wish to contact OnSource at https://home.onsourceonline.com/contact to find out if they are looking for photo inspectors in your area.

James Touchstone

28 Dec 2019

Would like to contract as Photo Inspector and receive emaiks about jobs available in the Metroplex and Central TX

Marlene

28 Feb 2020

They pay mileage over 20 round trip but it is "as the crow flies!" Overall it can average less than minimum wage not counting auto expense. Know this before you take an assignment, figure your actual mileage and negotiate a reasonable fee. They are otherwise a pretty good company to work for if you only need a little extra cash now and then.

Pierre Mathurin

11 May 2020

What companies are competitor of OnSource?? Can anyone name a few please .

Jean

23 Sep 2020

Dear Sirs: I would like to inquire about doing inspections for Your company. I’m not a licensed realtor or broker but I do have notary public license. If you are interested in someone doing these inspections and can use me, please let me know. I will supply you a copy of my notary license Thanks, Jean

24 Sep 2020

Hello. Just to clarify, this work is not being offered through the NNA, but by the company OnSource. You should contact them through the link in the article above if you are interested in performing photo inspections: https://home.onsourceonline.com/contact

Dianna Pettus

12 Nov 2020

How can I gain access to OnSource? The site doesn't appear to be working and it is not searchable in GOOGLE.

Iris Gravenius

24 Dec 2020

Does this get logged in your book? I was contacted but turned it down as I was not sure if this could be done without commission.

06 Jan 2021

Hello. Photo inspections and field inspections are not official notarial acts and therefore would not be required to be recorded in your Notary journal, unless you performed an official notarization such as an acknowledgment or jurat as part of the process.

Thomas

03 Jan 2021

Please correct The ONSOURCE link. The one provided goes to a Hong Kong Lottery game: https://home.onsourceonline.com/contact

04 Jan 2021

Hello. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. OnSource has posted a message on their Facebook page that the company has permanently closed, and we have updated the article with this information.

Destiney Santiago

08 Jan 2021

Hi I'm a notary and I would love to get more information about being a Photo Inspector. Can you please email me some details so I can get started?

12 Jan 2021

Hello. Please see the updated information in the article above for some suggestions.

Dr. Nikki LeToya White

07 Oct 2023

Hello, My name is Dr. Nikki LeToya White I am a licensed board trauma-informed nutritionist and recovery coach at Spiced Life Conversation, LLC in Atlanta Georgia. I work as a Field Inspector, Certified Mobile Notary, and Loan Signing Agent in the evenings. Depending on the amount of time I have and if I’m already headed in that direction I accept photo inspection assignments for real estate properties that include existing homes, new construction, and foreclosures for photoinspection.com, INC. What you need to know: you get to choose your assignments, most assignments are $15. They take anywhere between ten minutes to half an hour to complete. Driving time is from thirty minutes to ninety minutes away from my home and yes it’s still $15. That’s why it's important to manage your time accordingly. Once you arrive at the property you are required to take high-quality photos your instructions will explain how many photos to take and which photos are required, you must fill out a report and upload the photos to be submitted to the client. I bring a notebook to take notes because you must observe any damage on the property. What’s important is to choose assignments that are in the direction you are already going, this is my strategy and it works for me, I save time and fuel. Overall, the pay adds up and is good for folks who seek extra income, and need a flexible schedule like me I have four kids in school. It’s similar to driving Uber, without the passengers. I hope this gives you clarity on the reality of the pay and work involved. Any questions you can find me at spicedlifeconversation.com or sagebyspicedlifeconversation.com

Tambra Latrice Roberts

11 Feb 2024

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