Posted by Maggie on 7/11/04 10:48am
Msg #4241
Mobile notary fees
I am new to this business, but would like to do things as accurately and correctly as possible. What am I supposed to charge for fees for signing agent services. There is little info on this so if anyone can help I would certainly appreciate it. Thanks!
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Reply by Roger/OH on 7/11/04 11:58am
Msg #4243
Maggie, there is no "supposed to" when it comes to fees. You determine your own fees based upon factors such as how many other SAs are in your area (please also note your state when posting), your experience, type of signing, distance, etc. As a general rule of thumb just starting out, you should sign up with as many companies as possible from lists available on sites such as this, GoMobileNotary.com, and 50statenotary.com. The majority of these will likely be companies that pay $50, and these are fine to cut your teeth on (just don't ever accept a $40 fee) within say, 25 miles.
Know your notary stuff well, and always remember you are a notary first and a signing agent second.
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Reply by NJNotarySer on 7/13/04 11:30pm
Msg #4364
what do u mean u are always a notary first and a signing agent second? i am very very new to all of this and learning along the way. In NJ u do not need to take any course or anything, just apply thru the notary commission;therefore, i am having to read books and learn on my own. any suggestions?
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Reply by BrendaTX on 7/14/04 12:02am
Msg #4367
I am sure there are better ways to say this, but here is my twist on it:
You cannot be a signing agent without your notary commission.
A notary is commissioned by the laws of the state. You are confined to perform your notarial duties by the laws governing notaries in your state.
In comparison, a signing agent performs services under a contractual agreement with a company.
So, you need to know your notary laws, and perform your signing agent duties within those confines.
Lenders you will work for are from states all over the US. Notary laws differ from state to state. If you are asked to do something by a company/lender that is common in PA, but disallowed in NJ, you need to know the difference and unhold the law of your state.
Regards and best of luck, Brenda
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Reply by denise on 7/11/04 6:54pm
Msg #4249
Maggie, the starting fee for most co. is $50.00. I charge that for a 22mi radius and up to $125.00 for a 60mi radius. I charge $15 for email docs but most co. will pay you $25. You have to be firm with them regarding fees for traveling outside of 20mi radius. I live in a very rural area. The best thing to do is call my office and I can fill you in...570-488-7500.
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Reply by Joan-OH on 7/11/04 9:31pm
Msg #4262
Denise: You said "I charge $15 for email docs but most co. will pay you $25" I've only run into 2 companies who will not pay $25. One pays a base of $75 w/$10 for edocs & the other only does Helocs & pay $20 for Edocs. If everyone else pays $25+, why don't you give yourself a $10 raise? They expect to pay $25 or more as that is standard fee in this industry.
Just a thought.
Joan-OH
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Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/12/04 10:14am
Msg #4267
I hear that $25 is the standard" from some companies - same companies that want to say "$50 is the standard for signings"
My edoc fee is $45 including borrowers copies. If it is a small HELOC package like the NFRES ones, then I will charge $25.
When companies call I tell them $45, if I then get the package and it is small, I will call them back and adjust my fee.
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Reply by Joan-OH on 7/12/04 10:31am
Msg #4268
I agree. I have recently raised my Edoc fee too. My point being, with the exception of a couple of companies, they will ALL pay at least $25 without a problem. Why charge $15? I liken it to doing a $40 signing with $25 edocs. Turned one of those down Saturday. I told them I could do it, but I am not going to lower the standard for the industry by accepting $40.
Joan-OH
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Reply by Arizanga/CA on 7/12/04 3:45pm
Msg #4284
Is it worth it to accept EDocs? I have a Pentium 4 and HP Laserjet 5p printer. Would those be sufficient to accept EDocs? Please advise. Thanks.
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Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/12/04 4:48pm
Msg #4285
Looking at the specs for the Laserjet 5P, it says it has the PCL 5 drivers, so you should be able to accept whatever format edocs are thrown at you in.
As to if it is worth it - depends. I charge $45 for edocs ( includes borrowers copies), if the company is willing to pay it, then it is worth it. If not, then I don't do the signing. Exception, for me, is the small HELOC's - like the ones from Bank One and from NFRES, then I only bill them $25 for the edocs.
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Reply by Arizanga/CA on 7/12/04 5:28pm
Msg #4286
Thanks for responding.
How may I test the printing of an edoc? My email is [e-mail address] if you wish to send me an edoc.
How long does it take you to print the edocs? Would it make a difference if I only have a dial up modem? Do you print on letter size only?
Please advise. Thanks.
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Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/12/04 6:58pm
Msg #4290
I am sorry,but for privacy reasons I don't keep the edocs on my computer once the signing is over with.
Some will come pdf format (where you only need Adobe Acrobat reader installes), some yo may have to go to a website to pick the docs up, and they could be in various formats -Swiftsend, VMP, Elynx - but there will always be a link to download the appropriate viewer (although some you won't be able to view, they will print out as soon as you click on the file).
Yes, dial up will be a lot slower. Most companies prefer you to have DSL or Cable.
I always print on legal size paper.
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Reply by Arizanga_CA on 7/13/04 12:16pm
Msg #4323
Thanks for responding. You have all been very helpful.
I will sign up for Maxemail (unless there is a better one),
Sign up for DSL or cable (I just rec'd a flyer on DigitalPath (Earthlink?) - they say they're
faster than DSL or Cable),
Test my printer HP Laserjet 5p to print legal paper in the manual feed because
I don't have a legal paper tray,
Buy a combination fax, copier, & scanner machine.
I may sign up for the premier package in Notary Rotary (any comments?)
I may sign up for Signing Registry.com (any comments?)
Order an embosser (just in case I need it),
Order ink refill,
Read the boards,
Did I miss anything out?
By the way, there's a book written by a Sacramento Notary Public Signing Agent called How to freelance a Notary Loan Document Signing Business...something like that... I don't have the exact words, but she outlined all the possible documents (20-30+) in a Loan Signing. Any comments?
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Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/13/04 1:30pm
Msg #4332
It is "toner refill" not "ink refill" 
Signing Registry is an excellent organization. I have been a happy camper there for a couple of years now, and am renewing for a 3rd year
Maxemail, as far as I am concerned, is the best.
If you are referring to: How to Start, Operate and Market a Freelance Notary Signing Agent Business" then I suggest you put your money to either "How To Become a Wildly Successful Signing Agent" or the Signing Registry Training Course.
The "Freelance Notary Signing Agent" one, I wouldn't trust, given the inaccurate information often given out by the author.
How to Be A Wildly Successful Signing Agent is an excellent one, especially for Caifornia Signing Agents.
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Reply by Arizanga_CA on 7/13/04 2:13pm
Msg #4334
Yes, that's the book. Gosh! your are good. Thanks for responding. I did complete a Loan Signing Specialist Course and got certified by the California School of Notary Public. Is that sufficient?
The ink refill (water based) was for my seal stamp. By the way, the wordings "THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA" doesn't show up very well (kinda smudged looking), but the other stuff is ok. I tried to take some ink out and it improved but the letters still look smudged. Is this a concern?
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Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/13/04 6:24pm
Msg #4350
Not knowing anything about that particular course or their certification I cannot comment on its worth.
(In 4 years I have not been asked what certifications I have!, so it is not on the priority question list from companies)
As a Signing Service (and I only cover Florida), I prefer the signing agents I work with be certified through the Signing Registry, but that is a personal preference.
Your seal should ALWAYS be legible. Get one of those self inking stamps I am sure Harry will carry them, check the store out in here.
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Reply by denise on 7/12/04 10:03pm
Msg #4299
Be very cautious! Because of privacy laws, etc. no one should be emailing anyone someone elses docs.
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Reply by Sylvia_FL on 7/13/04 12:03am
Msg #4307
Precisely Denise
I always delete the docs out of my computer once the signing is over.
I had heard that Swiftview has a set of test docs to download to check if you can print them out or not. But haven't checked it out personally.
If you have the right printer, then yu can handle anything they throw at you
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Reply by CA_Notary on 7/11/04 10:33pm
Msg #4265
No offense meant by this, but $15 is ridiculously low for edocs. If that's what you're really charging, I don't know that you would be the best person to give advice to new signing agents. Lord only knows what else you're willing to undercut yourself on.
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Reply by denise on 7/12/04 10:04pm
Msg #4300
point well taken.TY
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Reply by denise on 7/12/04 10:06pm
Msg #4301
When I started out that was the going rate. I started noticing that within the last few months some of these co's have upped their edoc fee to $25. I will go w/ the flo.
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Reply by Joan-OH on 7/12/04 10:27pm
Msg #4303
See? You just gave yourself a $10 raise! :-) And it was so easy. Now that's reason to celebrate!
Joan-OH
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Reply by denise on 7/12/04 10:32pm
Msg #4304
:-)
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