When we asked our community what side hustles every Black woman should consider in 2025, one answer caught everyone’s attention — and sparked hundreds of comments and DMs.
After her response went viral, community member Antoinette Chery reached out with a detailed breakdown of her favorite side hustle: becoming a notary who offers Apostille services. It’s simple, flexible, and as she puts it — both lucrative and fulfilling.
We want to thank Antoinette for sharing her experience with the Black Women News community. If you’ve been looking for a real side hustle that helps people and builds financial freedom, this might be the one for you.
Antoinette writes:
“Becoming a notary that helps provide Apostille service is a side hustle that is both lucrative and fulfilling. It is a simple process to become a notary and there are many resources to learn to notarize documents accurately.”
In short, once you become a notary, you can expand your services by helping clients get their important documents authenticated for international use — a process known as Apostille certification.
Every state has its own Apostille process, but the basic idea is the same: as a notary, you verify documents (like birth certificates, powers of attorney, travel consents, and affidavits), then bring them to your Secretary of State’s office to have them officially recognized for use abroad.
For travelers, immigrants, and business owners dealing with international paperwork, this service is essential — and in many areas, hard to find. That means you can charge fairly for your time and convenience.
How the Money Works
“In my state, you can charge $10 to do a notary. There are no limits to charge for travel fees for Apostille service,” Antoinette explains.
That’s where the income potential comes in. You’re paid for notarizing, and you can charge additional fees for the Apostille delivery or travel time.
“Some notaries charge over $150 per customer,” she adds.
Think about that — just helping one or two clients a day could easily turn into an extra $1,000+ per week, depending on your schedule and state rules. And since you set your own hours, this can fit perfectly around a full-time job, family life, or other ventures.
Why Apostille Services Matter
So what exactly is an Apostille? Antoinette breaks it down beautifully:
“Apostille service is the process of authenticating or certifying a state or public official for another country. Say you have a birth certificate from Arizona and need to prove to Ukraine that it’s a true document — the Secretary of State’s office certifies that official signature for international use.”
Basically, you’re helping people cross borders — legally and efficiently. This could include parents sending kids abroad, entrepreneurs setting up foreign business entities, or families handling international adoptions.
Antoinette even shared that she’s “given advice to a notary who has been flown to four different countries to be on podcasts.” The opportunities are real.
Getting Started
Here’s what Antoinette recommends if you’re ready to start:
- Become a Notary – The process is simple and inexpensive. You’ll apply through your state’s commissioning office (usually under the Secretary of State).
- Learn Your State’s Apostille Process – Every state has slightly different rules, but this information is easy to find online or by calling your local Secretary of State’s office.
- Get Familiar With Common Documents – Powers of attorney, life certificates, affidavits, travel consents, and ID copies are among the most frequent requests.
- Set Your Prices – Charge the legal amount for notarizations and add a reasonable travel or service fee for Apostille work.
- Start Marketing Locally and Online – Use Google Business, Facebook, and community directories to make your services easy to find.
“Helping others navigate the Apostille process can be a fulfilling and flexible way to earn extra income while serving your community,” Antoinette says. “If you’re ready to start, becoming a notary could be your next big move.”
Final Thoughts
From baking to coaching to virtual assisting — Black women are out here redefining what financial freedom looks like. But what we love about Antoinette’s story is that it’s simple, legal, accessible, and community-driven.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel — just learn the process, show up professionally, and let word of mouth work its magic.
Would you ever consider becoming a notary or offering Apostille services? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
Bonus for Business Owners
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