Conversations with Max Swartout

Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Swartout.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
By day, I’m an elementary music teacher down in Kent, Ohio, fostering creativity and learning. But I live in Lakewood, and as I travel across Northeast Ohio—often on my way home—I step into my role as a mobile notary public. I established Northeast Ohio Notary less than a year ago, driven by a need I saw in the community.

I believe in service, empathy, and justice, and I find that the notary role embodies all of those. Demand has been high, especially for essential services at places like nursing homes and hospitals. I take my role incredibly seriously; it’s more than just stamping paper. It’s about ensuring an individual is in a proper state of mind to sign and confirming their identity. It’s an important safeguard in our society, and I love having the opportunity to meet and assist so many different people across the region.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
By law, performing notarizations is not a strong source of income, as we are limited to charging only $\$5$ per notarial act plus travel fees. While it provides some extra spending cash, I don’t rely on it. This means the core motivator for me is the public service I provide to my clients and the State of Ohio—not profit.

The greatest challenge, however, is purely ethical: the times I have to walk away from a signing. As a notary, I must ensure the individual signing is both who they say they are and in a proper state of mind. When I am unable to confidently determine that mental capacity, I must decline the service. It is personally challenging to feel like I’m not helping a family during a difficult time, especially at a hospital or nursing home. Nonetheless, it is my most important duty to ensure that all transactions and documents are executed properly, ethically, and without coercion. This commitment to honesty and fairness is non-negotiable, even when it means facing a difficult conversation.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I established Northeast Ohio Notary, a mobile notary public service based in Northeast Ohio, serving communities across the region. My specialization here is providing empathetic, accessible notarizations—often traveling to clients at hospitals and nursing homes.

What sets me apart from others is the high level of ethical diligence and personal care I bring..

What I am most proud of is the way I uphold the integrity of the notary commission. It’s more than a side hustle; it’s a vital public role. I take seriously my responsibility to confirm identity and, most importantly, ensure a signer is in a proper state of mind. This commitment to honesty, justice, and equity means I prioritize the integrity of the transaction above all else. My goal is to ensure that a challenging process is handled with both professional competence and genuine empathy, especially for our most vulnerable neighbors. I’ve only been operating for less than a year, and the high demand is proof that this service, delivered with integrity and care, is exactly what the community needs.

Pricing:

• $5/notarial act
• Travel base fee: $5
• 1+ miles $6 total travel fee
• 2+ miles $7 total travel fee
• 3+ miles $8 total travel fee, etc

Contact Info:

• Website: https://maxswartout.com/notary-services/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Northeast-Ohio-Notary/61576894514801/?sk=about