Posted by Mung/CA on 4/21/10 1:03am Msg #332660
regarding a blind signer.
Has anyone ever had a blind signer? If so what special arrangements were made? I have a blind signer coming up and was just wondering what other notaries did.
Thanks!
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Reply by Susan Fischer on 4/21/10 2:08am Msg #332663
Yes. A successful businessman, whose wife was a perfect
facilator...he listened to each pages' description, she read off pertinent info, and positioned his hands on the sig lines, indicating when a date was required as well.
Went swimmingly.
Disregard any pre-conceived notions about blindness, focus on communication and precise positioning of your paperwork before the signer's assistant, and assume competence of both. Consistency is a critical element - and remember to look at both your signer and the 'interpreter', even though you may not actually be seen by the borrower, only heard with exacting ears.
Ask if there will be a sighted helper when confirming. Be honest with the borrower, and you'll do fine.
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Reply by CopperheadVA on 4/21/10 5:30am Msg #332666
I recently had a private call from a blind man who needed his signature on one document notarized. His wife came with him but he was definitely in charge. He had a state-issued ID card and he asked me to place my finger on the signature lines for my journal and for the document. Each time, he felt for where my finger was and he then placed his own finger there and signed with the other hand.
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Reply by Stamper_WI on 4/21/10 5:44am Msg #332667
Make sure they have an ID. My last blind signer did not and had to go get one. Her husband was the new Pastor at a local church and they did not know a lot of people locally for credible witness.
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Reply by Linda_H/FL on 4/21/10 5:56am Msg #332668
Check your handbook or with your SOS
Here in FL our law is clear...§117.05(14)(a), Fla. Stat....WE are required to read the document to the signer before notarization and it's suggested we may add a statement in our certificate that we complied with the requirement..i.e. "I further certify that I read the document to (name of signer) prior to notarization."
I disagree with one statement made here - "assume competence" - IMO you NEVER assume anything, especially competence, and in the event of the signer using an assistant, be wary of coercion.
Again, I'd check the handbook and with the SOS for proper procedure with this.
MHO
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Reply by Bob_Chicago on 4/21/10 8:19am Msg #332672
WE are required to read the document to the signer.
Same here. Thankfully never had a blind loan signer. I would be sound asleep by about page 5 or the standard mortgage.
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Reply by Cari on 4/21/10 10:18am Msg #332691
perhaps in those circumstances we can charge by the hour ;) n/m
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Reply by Julie/MI on 4/21/10 6:14am Msg #332669
I closed a husband and wife in her hospital bed...diabetes had robbed her of her eyesite 20 years prior and she was recovering from an amputitation which is why we were closing at the hospital. Her only id (this was ins 2001) was her 25 year old expired drivers license. But it was her and I was thankful my state didn't make this woman and husband jump through hoops.
Any way, she said they had been married for 40 years and they were just mortgage docs and I put the pen on the signature line and away she signed--still beautiful penmanship...she said she went to Catholic School and we had a nice chuckle.
Very pleasant closing.
Now in my state, if the signer is blind, the notary can sign for the person along with special wordiing that needs to be added. Since not all docs were notarized, this didn't happen, plus she wanted to sign--piece of cake!
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Reply by Roger_OH on 4/21/10 10:56am Msg #332701
I had a gentleman who had a slotted card that he had me place on the sig lines, and he just signed within the slot - very easy.
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