Posted by Lissie on 5/18/04 9:49pm
Msg #2125

Should I become a "Certified" Signing Agent?

Hello,
I am a new notary, and I would like to primarily handle loan signings. Is it worth it to become a certified loan signing agent? Or try to go out there as is. I am fairly savy when it comes to home mortgage signings...so I was wondering.
Does anyone have any course recommendations? I was thinking of going through NNA...any thoughts?

Thank you!

Reply by Pam Gibson on 5/18/04 9:55pm
Msg #2126

Well, I had the choice to go through NNA, but chose to go to a live course. You get your certificate on the spot. Huckleberry Notary.com. They have courses all over. Taking the course on line is not what I wanted to do.
Haven't had much luck with the NNA, even tho I am a member.
You will have much better luck being "Certified" because some companies will only use Certified Signing Agents.

Reply by Lissie on 5/18/04 10:05pm
Msg #2127

I figured it would be best to get certified. Thank you for the info! I'll check out HuckleberryNotary.com...cute name!

Have you read or heard anything about the e-book "Tid-bits for New Signing Agents" by Alyice Edrich?

Reply by Belinda on 5/18/04 11:17pm
Msg #2128

I used this book has a guide to setup my business. It was very informative if you have no I deal what to do. Another book, How to Make Money as a Notary Signing Agent is by Victoria Ring at 50statenotary.com should also help you.

Reply by Anonymous on 5/19/04 7:05am
Msg #2130

tried huckleberrynotary.com and it didn't work. am I doing something wrong??

thanks

Reply by PAW Notary Services on 5/19/04 7:42am
Msg #2132

Huckleberry Notary website is:

http://www.notaries.com

Reply by Stephanie on 5/19/04 2:16pm
Msg #2142

Thank you for the info....greatly appreciate everi "tidbit" of info I get from you!

Reply by Stephanie on 5/19/04 2:18pm
Msg #2143

Re: Should I become a "Certified" Signing Agent? - Paul

Thank you for the info....greatly appreciate every "tidbit" of info I get from you!
;)

Reply by Donna McGee on 5/19/04 11:00am
Msg #2134

Hello Lissie,
A lot of notaries think that getting certified is a waste of time. It is not "required" by anyone - you just need to be a notary public. However, I feel that any educational investment that a person makes for themselves is worth it.

I became a notary only six months ago and had no backgroud in this field whatsoever. Since I work from home, I have no colleagues or a mentor to confer with. The NNA certification course helped me tremendously in understanding what my role as a notary is and how other states vary in their rules. In PA I had to take a 3 hr seminar for the basics but the certification course helped me to make sense of it all. I also refer to my course textbook when I need to so it is a valuable reference tool also. I have seen a few courses and I believe this one to be the most thorough and also the most recognized.

About 50% of my referrals come from the NNA Signing Agent website. I don't believe that any of these companies (or very few) that have called me were looking for a "certified" signing agent. Most companies will start at the top of a list, and go with the first person available. My certification is for my benefit. I believe it is worth it.

Hope this helps - Donna

Reply by Bob-Chicago on 5/19/04 1:18pm
Msg #2139

Yes you should

I have been told by a number of title co and ss personnel , that their first calls off the NNA site are to "certified signing agents" Those names jump right out to them. They assume that that way they have a better chance of getting a qualified NSA.
So, besides the educational benefits, you will probably get more work.

Reply by Negrete's Notary Service on 5/19/04 1:46pm
Msg #2141

Re: Yes you should

I own and operate a nationwide notary service . I will tell you right up front that I do look both here and on the NNA web site for notaries. I use this site to find Notaries that have Laser Printers. This is the only site that I know of where you can input that as part of your Search.

I then look at the Notaries Profile to see of they match the kind of Notary I am searchig for.

Hope to maybe contact you in the future.

Anthony J Negrete

Reply by sue on 5/19/04 3:29pm
Msg #2145

Why?

I began closing loans in 1973 when I was 17 years old and still in high school. My 30th high school reunion has come and gone. do the math.

I am not certified and would like to know why you think I should be. Are you truly saying that you would hire a certified notary who has possibly never even touched a real set of loan docs and sat with actual borrowers in their kitchen over me because I don't have the little certification symbol in front of my name? if so, oh my

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 5/19/04 4:03pm
Msg #2146

There You Go Again, Sue...

...making perfect sense & leaving gaping holes in the arguments of others. Keep up the good words! BTW, I've got you beat in one department. In two weeks I'll be attending my 35th High School class reunion.

Reply by Anonymous on 5/19/04 4:25pm
Msg #2147

Re: There You Go Again, Sue...

Certification is similar to a good GPA on a college transcript: It may get you your first job, but thereafter, it's up to you. With no knowledge of the qualifications of a notary, I suspect anyone looking to hire one is going to pick the notary with the best surface credentials. So...I'd advise any newcomer to get certified. A lot of first jobs for a lot of title companies are going to be needed for the newcomer is to be successful.

If reunions are how the validity of these comments are to be judged, I win hands down. I've made reservations for my 50th in October.

Reply by PAW Notary Services on 5/19/04 5:15pm
Msg #2148

High School Reunion

Childern, please!! My 40th High School reunion is next month. So there too!! <g>

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 5/19/04 5:19pm
Msg #2149

Standing in for Your HS English Teacher Today, Paul...

...I'd like to correct your spelling of the word "chillun"! ;)

Reply by Stephanie on 5/19/04 5:58pm
Msg #2150

Re: Standing in for Your HS English Teacher Today, Paul...

No youngins' here, I see.
:)

Reply by Lissie on 5/19/04 9:12pm
Msg #2151

Thank you for your feedback, I think I will take the course. It will be a great review and will get me siked to start making extra money. I'm just nervous!

Thanks again and have a great evening!