Wa `alaykum as-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

 

You are allowed to charge for your services as a notary public. In this capacity, you are merely authenticating signatures, administer or verify information, etc.,  all of such services are halal, and there should be any qualms or doubts as to their lawfulness. There is no need for you to be overly rigid on such matters. Allah tells us in the Qur’an: “God does not burden any soul with that which is beyond his or her ability or means.”

 

There is no need for you to avoid providing such services for real estate transactions or deals. Your work will not be haram because of the doubtful nature of a mortgage. For we are not accountable for something, we have no control over. It is not different from someone selling a megaphone or computer or any other items which can be used for a lawful purpose or unlawful one.

 

If you have reservations about it, all that you need to do it to cleanse your income of the taints of Haram associated with it through lots of istighfaar and extra charities. That is the way to purify incomes tainted with haram. Mind you, in today’s world no one claim to have an income wholly free of the taints of haram.

 

Therefore, the solution is not to keep away from business transactions( for doing so would only make us weaker and more miserable), instead to cleanse our incomes as best as we can. Allah says, “Take out charities from their wealth whereby you cleanse and purify them.”

 

“Take alms of their wealth, whereby you purify them and make them grow (spiritually), and pray for them. For verily, your prayer is for them a means of comfort. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (At-Tawbah 9:103)

 

Allah Almighty knows best.