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CLASS STRUCTURE FOR LESSON 12 NOTARY SIGNING AGENT (NNA) (Lesson 12) HOW TO BECOME A NOTARY SIGNING AGENT E & 0 INSURANCE NOTARY SIGNING AGENT TRAINING DO A LOAN SIGNING AS A NOTARY SIGNGING AGENT NOTARY SIGNING AGENT LOAN DOCUMENTS PREPARE FOR YOUR FIRST LOAN SIGNING LOOKING FOR NOTARY SIGNING AGENT WORK USE YOUR SIGNING AGENT .COM PROFILE COMPAi NiES LOOKING FOR HIRING NOTARY SIGNING AGENT IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS HELP YOU AS LOAN SIGNING AGENT MAP ON HOW TO USE SEAL EMBOSSER AND STAMPS Signing Agent Information A Signing Agent is a Notary specifically trained to facilitate mortgage signings. With the NNA Signing Agent Certification you can earn additional income and advance your Notary career in as little as three weeks. From our industry-recognized program, you'll learn how to easily interpret and explain complex mortgage signing documents. Use your Notary skills to become a qualified, competent and confident Certified Signing Agent. And you'll have your industry-required background screening enabling you to work for the major title services organizations. You'll be in high demand. Notaries should be aware that opportunities to conduct loan signings may be limited or restricted in some states. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide NSA certification for Notaries in the U.S. Territories. love

How to Become a Notary Signing Agent Notary Signing Agents (NSAs) facilitate loan closings for the mortgage finance industry. Before starting the NSA certification process, you must be commissioned as a Notary Public. Please be aware that opportunities to conduct loan signings may be limited or restricted in 18 states. Signing Agent Certification Process Many state laws do not address additional qualifications or requirements for Notaries who work as Notary Signing Agents. However, companies in the mortgage finance industry do have laws and regulations they must meet in order to do business. Because lenders, title companies and signing services are held to certain regulatory standards, they set the bar for the Notaries they hire. While every company's guidelines may vary, the industry strongly recommends taking all of the following steps to increase your chances of getting hired by the widest range of companies. Be commissioned as a Notary Public in your state (required). Take a loan signing training course. Pass an exam and background screening that are SPW compliant. Buy your Signing Agent supplies. Purchase a minimum $25,000 E&O insurance policy. Start working as a Notary Signing Agent. Promote your business online by joining Notary Signing Agent directories. Become a Notary Signing Agent In This Guide: NSA Training & Guidelines | Insurance & Legal Risk | General NSA Information NSA Training & Guidelines The details below will help you understand the recommended guidelines for Notary Signing Agent certification. What does a Notary Signing Agent do? A Notary Signing Agent is a Notary who is specially trained to handle and notarize loan documents. For lenders, Notary Signing Agents are the critical final link to complete the loan. A Notary Signing Agent is hired as an independent contractor to ensure that real estate loan documents are executed by the borrower, notarized and returned for processing on time. Completing this critical part of the loan process enables the loan to be funded. Who can become a Notary Signing Agent? Anyone who meets the requirements to be a Notary Public in their state can go on to become a Signing Agent. However, it is important to note that some states have restrictions that apply to NSAs. Is certification required? Certification is not required by law to become a Signing Agent. However, many companies that contract Signing Agents for mortgage closings ask these professionals to be certified and background screened in order to meet Consumer Financial Protection Bureau compliance requirements for third-party service providers hired by financial institutions. Several private organizations offer training, certification and background screening for Signing Agents that meet the standards of lenders, title companies and signing services. The NNA is an SPW-compliant vendor, so you may choose to get certified and background screened by the NNA. Do I need to take a Notary Signing Agent exam or training course? No exam or training is required for NSAs. Although neither one is required, a training course and passing score on an exam are smart ways to prove you've been formally educated in the complex process of mortgage closings. A training course covers everything you need to know to be familiar with the loan closing process and the types of documents involved. It will provide the knowledge you need to walk a buyer through the mortgage closing process clearly and efficiently. A Signing Agent training course will also prepare you to pass the SPW-compliant exam. There are many vendors, including the National Notary Association, offering Signing Agent training courses and exams online. Why am I being asked to do a background check? In order to guard borrowers' private financial information, the mortgage industry requests all persons involved in the lending process to undergo background screenings. Lenders in turn instruct title services companies to ensure that everyone with access to mortgage documents has been screened. This applies to everyone handling loan documents including Notaries who act as Signing Agents. Are there any special requirements or restrictions in my state? It depends on the state. Some states limit or restrict Notaries from working as Signing Agents or include additional licensing requirements. Please be aware that opportunities to conductt loan signings are limited or restricted in 18 states. States with NSA restrictions Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia For more information, see our list of Signing Agent State Restrictions. What supplies should NSAs have? In addition to your Notary seal and journal, Signing Agents should have reliable transportation to get to assignments, a mobile phone and email for communication with signers and companies that hire them, and a printer and fax machine to print loan documents and fax completed loan documents if required. Many new NSAs also find it helpful to use a few industry tools and guidebooks when starting out. How long does it take to become a Signing Agent? NSAs who follow the recommended industry certification process listed above can expect one to two weeks to become a certified Signing Agent. A majority of this time will be spent waiting for your background screening results to return. Other factors will be your availability and how long it takes you to become comfortable with all procedures and requirements for notarizing loan closings. How much does it cost to become a Signing Agent? The cost of becoming a certified Signing Agent typically ranges from $75 to a few hundred dollars, but this can vary depending on a few different factors: Whether or not you have an active Notary commission in your state Whether or not you already have a $25,000 errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy Which training/exam vendor you choose What vendor conducts your background screening Where you purchase your NSA supplies Licensing fees (required for certain states) Insurance & Legal Risk Because certified Signing Agents play a critical role in completing real estate loans, it's important for all NSAs to understand their responsibilities and the legal risks they face if proper procedures are not followed. Do I need any additional Notary insurance? Though not required by law, it's strongly recommended to purchase a Notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to cover you against damages resulting from unintentional mistakes. The Signing Professionals Workgroup (SPW), an industry standards organization, recommends Signing Agents carry a minimum Notary E&O policy of $25,000 following a study that found most claims against Notary Signing Agents average around $14,000. However, some individual companies may ask Signing Agents they work with to carry a larger policy. How much legal risk might I face as an NSA? Loan document signings are important transactions involving hundreds of thousands of dollars. It's essential that Notary Signing Agents follow their state's Notary laws as well as federal mortgage regulations like protecting the privacy of a signer's information. A Notary Signing Agent must diligently follow proper procedure. In addition to damaging the Signing Agent's chances of finding work in the future, carelessness, negligence or improper conduct can result in severe criminal penalties or financial liability for a Signing Agent. General NSA Information Need more information about working as a Signing Agent? Get answers to commonly-asked questions below. What are the benefits of becoming a Signing Agent? For lenders, Notary Signing Agents are the critical final link to complete the loan. Signing Agents not only earn income for notarizing signatures on loan documents but are also paid to perform courier services and ensure that completed loan packages are returned to the lender in a timely fashion. Many Notaries choose to work as Signing Agents as a part-time or full-time source of income. How is a Notary Signing Agent different from a traditional Notary? Although traditional Notaries and Notary Signing Agents both perform notarizations for their clients and must have an active commission, Signing Agents are specially trained to handle and notarize loan documents. In most cases, they meet additional qualifications such as background checks, extra training and/or special licensing (depending on state regulations). How much can I charge for a loan signing? There is no set fee schedule for Notary Signing Agents who perform loan document signing assignments. Each Signing Agent must negotiate their own fees based on their business expenses, the companies they work with, travel and time required for assignments, and the demand for services in their area. Be aware that the federal government strictly prohibits collaboration to set fixed fees for loan document signings, including price-fixing agreements, boycotts or attempting to persuade other Signing Agents to agree to charge an established minimum fee. How often must I renew as an NSA? The government does not define a renewal time frame for Signing Agents within any state or federal law. However, the industry standard set by SPW recommends that Signing Agents renew their exam and background check every year. Industry certification standards developed by SPW are designed to meet important CFPB requirements. Where do I find loan signing work? There are several online Notary Signing Agent directories where you can make your contact information available to lenders, financial institutions and signing services offering assignments. Some directories offer free listings while others offer more prominent listings for a fee — you should compare directory services and see which best suit your needs. In addition to signing up with several directories, you can also promote your services by networking within your local community. You can accomplish this by attending business and trade events, connecting with UPS and FedEx store managers, and building relationships with other Notaries in your area. What is a signing service? Signing services are private companies that act as middlemen, locating and contracting Signing Agents on behalf of lenders and title companies for assignments. Though assignments through signing services generally do not pay as well as working directly for lenders or title companies, they usually have more assignments available for Signing Agents who are starting their new business. Who can answer questions about loan signing assignments? Any questions regarding loan terms or the content of loan documents during a signing should be directed to a qualified loan officer. Signing Agents are not loan officers and should never try to explain loan documents or answer questions from a signer regarding the terms of a loan. If you have other questions about working as a Signing Agent or industry issues, professional Notary associations like the NNA and other private organizations that offer Signing Agent training and certification can often address your concerns. Most state Notary-regulating agencies cannot answer questions related to Signing Agent assignments, because many of a Signing Agent's duties aren't addressed by state Notary laws. There are also dedicated social media groups for Notary Signing Agents on LinkedIn, Twitter and private websites where Signing Agents can go to ask questions and discuss issues affecting their work. love

How to Do a Loan Signing as a Notary Signing Agent Prepare for your first loan signing by following the steps below. 1. Explain the process When you first meet the signer in their home, you'll want to introduce yourself and explain your role as a Notary Signing Agent. Let the borrower know there are to be no markings on documents other than where indicated and describe how the borrower should sign their name and date the documents. 2. Execute the documents Present the most relevant documents that answer the most common questions. Common loan signing documents to present include: Settlement Statement (HUD-1) Note Deed of Trust Notice of Right to Cancel Signature Affidavit and AKA Statement Customer Identification Verification Direct the borrower where to sign and notarize the documents. 3. Review for blanks Look at all of the documents and check for missing signatures, initials, dates and Notary seal imprints. Provide the borrower copies of the documents. 4. Contact your contracting company Contact the lender or title company you're working with and notify them the notarization step of the loan signing is complete. 5. Drop the package Send the loan document package to the contracting company by mail or in person. 6. Invoice the customer Send your invoice to the customer.

Where Do You Start Looking for Notary Signing Agent Work? By Mark Wills, Guest Contributor on January 5, 2021 Updated 1-18-23. You’re just starting out as a Notary Signing Agent, and the biggest question is: “Where do I find work?” Here is an easy 3-step process to start getting loan signing appointments: Step 1: Start by signing up with the major Signing Agent databases that signing services use to offer assignments Notary Signing Agents. These include: SigningAgent.com SnapDocs.com NotaryRotary.com NotaryCafe.com SigningOrder.com Step 2: Next, sign up directly with as many signing service companies as you can. While there are only a handful of major Signing Agent databases, there are literally hundreds of signing service companies across the country. Finding them is as easy. Just do an internet search for “signing services in [your state].” Or you could utilize a list such as one found in Loan Signing System’s course or what’s found at 123Notary. Step 3: Once you have signed up with each signing service, locate a phone number for each signing service and call them directly to introduce yourself. Remember to let them know you are here to help solve their major issues instead of just talking about you and your qualifications. It’s that easy. How signing services work Remember, Signing Agents are hired by location and availability. Signing services not only use the major databases listed above to find signing agents, they also use their own database. This is why it’s so important for you to sign up with as many of them as possible. The Notaries that are closest to the borrower's location first get notified that a signing job is available. If no one accepts the signing they will move farther away from the location until a Notary accepts the assignment. A new Signing Agent can get opportunities for appointments early in their career because there will be occasions where no other Signing Agent will be available. But there is something you, as a newer Signing Agent, need to embrace if you want to find work early on: In the beginning, a newer Signing Agent will be offered the lowest paying jobs and appointments with long travel times. Sometimes the ‘veteran’ Signing Agents turn down an appointment because it is too far from their location or the signing fee being offered is too low. What veteran Signing Agents turn down is an opportunity for you. This is the BIGGEST reason you will get signing opportunities as a brand new Signing Agent. Now, I know what you're thinking … If a veteran Signing Agent won't take an appointment, why should you? Experience vs. Profits To become a good Signing Agent, you need to think like a business owner and you need to have the right mindset. When starting out, gaining experience should be prioritized over profits. You can't command more until you actually have loan signing experience under your belt! In all honesty, as an owner of a signing service, I can say from experience that newer Signing Agents don't deserve a higher fee until they can prove that they don't make mistakes and are reliable. So my recommendation to you is to take every loan signing assignment you can in the beginning, and don't worry about distance or fee until you become a proficient Signing Agent. ONLY then should you start worrying about how much money you make per signing and how far you go for signings. Through experience and good reviews for your signings, the fees will get higher and the signing appointments will get closer to your location. Get the experience and the money will follow ... and before you know it, you will be working directly with mortgage professionals and keeping the entire signing fee. Mark Wills of Loan Signing System is a Notary educator, a mentor to more than 4,000 Notary Signing Agents and a Forbes Real Estate Council Member. For more information on how to market your loan Signing Agent business, please go to loansigningsystem.com.

How to Do a Loan Signing as a Notary Signing Agent Prepare for your first loan signing by following the steps below. 1. Explain the process When you first meet the signer in their home, you'll want to introduce yourself and explain your role as a Notary Signing Agent. Let the borrower know there are to be no markings on documents other than where indicated and describe how the borrower should sign their name and date the documents. 2. Execute the documents Present the most relevant documents that answer the most common questions. Common loan signing documents to present include: Settlement Statement (HUD-1) Note Deed of Trust Notice of Right to Cancel Signature Affidavit and AKA Statement Customer Identification Verification Direct the borrower where to sign and notarize the documents. 3. Review for blanks Look at all of the documents and check for missing signatures, initials, dates and Notary seal imprints. Provide the borrower copies of the documents. 4. Contact your contracting company Contact the lender or title company you're working with and notify them the notarization step of the loan signing is complete. 5. Drop the package Send the loan document package to the contracting company by mail or in person. 6. Invoice the customer Send your invoice to the customer.

Notary Signing Agent Loan Documents As a Notary Signing Agent, you'll be handling numerous loan document packages. The articles below can help you become familiar with the most common NSA forms you'll encounter. General Warranty Deeds We answer frequently asked questions from Notary Signing Agents about general warranty deeds. USA PATRIOT Act CIP Forms We answer questions from Signing Agents about the USA PATRIOT Act Customer Identification Program Form. Compliance Agreements We answer common questions about Compliance Agreements. Notice of Right to Cancel We answer frequently asked questions about the Notice of Right to Cancel (NRTC) form. TILA-RESPA Form We explain each section of the new Closing Disclosure here. Occupancy Affidavits In this FAQ, we answer what an Occupancy Affidavit is, if it requires notarization and more. Signature and Name Affidavits This FAQ answers what type of loan document packages include this affidavit and more.

Use Your SigningAgent.com Profile As Your Notary Website For mobile Notaries to be successful, an Internet presence is essential. And SigningAgent.com can help with that by allowing you to use your profile page as your website. Get The Most From Your SigningAgent.com Profile Each person’s profile is assigned a unique URL, which you can link to on social media or in marketing emails. Every Notary who completes the NNA’s Signing Agent Certification exam and background screening automatically receives a complimentary listing. But it is still up to you to make the most of your profile and connect with the thousands of potential clients who use SigningAgent.com each week to search for NSAs. Your profile page allows you to post all the information you would want on a website, including: Your contact information and areas you serve Hours you are available All your Notary signing agent experience Your E&O insurance coverage amount and expiration dates Any relevant non-NNA certifications or training Any languages you speak fluently Whether you accept eDoc assignments A professional photograph To update your profile, log on to NationalNotary.org and click the “My Signing Agent Profile” link on the left.

What companies look for when hiring Notary Signing Agents As the owner of a signing company that today does business in over 25 states and counting, I am fortunate in that I have been able to grow my business since I started as a Notary Signing Agent years ago. I have been asked by Notaries numerous times over the years how they can get more work. I have compiled some of the things that set apart the good NSAs from the bad. A lot of these suggestions may seem like little things, but they make a huge difference. Act like you are a professional From the moment you answer the phone until the minute you return a package, you are on the clock. You are the only face these borrowers might ever see in relation to their mortgage. That is a huge responsibility and should not be taken lightly. Notaries should act professionally regardless of the circumstances. It doesn't matter if the signing is in an office, someone's home or on the hood of a car. Always answer your phone as if a customer is on the other end. "What", "Huh," and "Yeah?" are never acceptable greetings. Dress as though you work in an office. Speak to the borrower in a way that shows you are knowledgeable about the documents in the loan package and you are there to help them through the process. No matter how irate or upset they are, don't trash-talk the signing company, bank or title company. There is never any circumstance in which this is acceptable. Always return calls. I once asked a Notary why he never returned my phone calls. He responded that he didn't call me back because he couldn't accommodate the signing. Think of how many businesses you interact with daily. Do you want to work with someone who doesn't return your phone calls? I don't. Educate yourself. I cannot say it enough. Stay on top of Notary changes in your state. The mortgage and title industries are not stagnant. They are always evolving and changing. Taking the proper steps to make sure you are on top of those changes increases not only your knowledge base but can open more doors for you. The better we are as a whole, the more good that gets said about us, and the more work we will get and the more prosperous we become. "Companies give their business to professional Signing Agents who they are confident will provide error-free signings for them." — Carol Ray, Notary2Pro Have the tools necessary to do business Signing Agents need the tools to be prepared for every situation. A cell phone isn't enough. You should have a printer that prints both letter and legal-size paper. You should have the ability to fax large quantities of paper. You should be able to scan more than 10 pages at a time and not only be able to scan them but password-protect them. You'd be surprised how many NSAs fall short in one or more of these areas. You should have all types of packing materials for various services for sending closing documents back. Make sure to keep up with the appropriate licenses and insurance required in your state. I cannot tell you how many times I call a Notary who doesn't have a title producer's license in a state that requires it, or doesn't carry E&O insurance because they don't feel they need it. Running any business carries expenses, and I understand that. Back in the day, I almost cried when I had to write a $2,500 check for my full-size copier when I started out solo. Today, I realize it was the best money I ever spent. Over the long run it saved me time and money. I could print packages quickly — and print from the road, if necessary — and it saved me money on toner and parts. That copier allowed me to take on more signings which generated more income. Look at the big picture. Decide what you want your business to look like and what you want to get out of it. That will help you decide where to spend your money. Help others promote their business Develop relationships with other Notaries in your area. Nothing makes me happier than when I call a Notary for a signing and they can't do it but know someone who can. That shows me they have the team spirit I value in a Notary and the interest to help me succeed. If they help me succeed, I'll help them. We all have lists of companies we don't like, but spread the word about the companies you do like. Don't be afraid that it will cost you assignments. It won't. You'll get more. But there are two sides to that coin. Most of us have read online Notary forums. Sometimes we allow our personal feelings to overtake good judgment when we post messages and comments. I often cringe over what I read. Know that what you write will be read by people considering whether they want to work with you or not. Be careful not to become the Notary nobody wants to work with. "We love working with a Notary Signing Agent that clearly loves what they do and makes an effort to share that in their directory listings, LinkedIn profile or on their website." — Bill Soroka, author of "Sign & Thrive: How to Make Six Figures as a Mobile Notary and Loan Signing Agent" What this boils down to is that you are the face of your business and a representative of a billion-dollar industry. Conduct yourself in a manner that makes companies want to call you first when they have a signing in your area. Make them want to work with you. If you do these things, fantastic. If you do some of these things, try to incorporate a few more. If you would like guidance, call me. I would love to mentor you. love