Posted by John_NCal on 12/21/05 11:23pm
Msg #84007

Notary asleep at the switch?

Got back from a signing awhile ago. The husband had already signed in another state and the wife had to sign her part. I noticed on the ack from the out of state notary that he used the Calif venue, etc and that he had also included wifes name even though she wasn't there.
Just wondering if this person was a product of the NNA Signing Agent mills. Oh well, did my part correctly, any problems are up to the other guy.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 12/21/05 11:43pm
Msg #84014

Calif truly has the best notaries in the United States because we require testing and we have a very difficult test!

I'm not sure if much will change in 2006 but I believe only Florida and New York at this time require a test.

Reply by DonR_NYC on 12/22/05 12:41am
Msg #84032

You nare correct that NYS requires a test to become a notary. A bill is being introduced in the next session of the senate to require continuing education in order to renew your commission.

Reply by Dennis D Broadbooks on 12/22/05 5:29am
Msg #84048

As of 09/01/2004...

...Missouri also requires a test to be taken for a Notary commission. I haven't taken the "official" exam yet (I won't need to until my commission renews in 2008) to know how difficult it is, but a sample test is given with our new Notary manual & it doesn't appear to be all that complicated. At least our legislature & SOS are taking steps in the right direction.

Reply by Ilona_OH on 12/22/05 7:15am
Msg #84052

Re: As of 09/01/2004...

Add Ohio to the test list.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 12/22/05 7:25am
Msg #84056

CT also requires a test, ...

... but it is an open-book test. Still, quite a few people fail it.

Passing a test is not a guarentee of common sense, honesty, ethics, andf future attention to detail. Becoming a Notary Signing Agent involves a lot more than becoming commissioned as a notary.

Reply by PAW_Fl on 12/22/05 7:30am
Msg #84058

Florida does not require a test.

No test is required by the State to become a notary in Florida. 3 hours of instruction are required. Many organizations that offer the training, do administer a test to ensure that the instruction was completed, but the test is not a state developed or administered requirement.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 12/22/05 7:42am
Msg #84059

Joan: I am not a confrontational person BUT

I thought your post was in extremely poor taste and quite frankly was surprised at how short sighted you evidently are. For someone that is always drumming up business I would say you "stepped in it" with this post. I often get tired of hearing everyone bitch and moan about the zillions of notaries that NNA is spinning out with the promise of high pay etc. and low and behold I check out your educational website and there are the same exact promises, word for word. Is it true that the entire California seacoast is covered up with SA's? Do you think that you are helping to bring about the crash of SA's in California by your promises that are no different that what the rest say? And finally, by your post, it's obvious you don't have all your facts in one basket.

Reply by Anonymous on 12/22/05 7:46am
Msg #84061

I also found her post self-serving and ...

... wholly inaccurate.

Reply by CarolynCO on 12/22/05 7:48am
Msg #84063

Re: Joan, so this would not happen with a CA notary ?? nm

Reply by AmandaCA on 12/22/05 10:10am
Msg #84090

Re: Joan, so this would not happen with a CA notary ?? nm

LOL I beg to differ! California is loaded with notaries that honestly do not have a clue. There is a gentleman that comes to my town every two weeks holding seminars/tests. He is very nice and I just love him (I took my Signing class from him, I had already been a notary for quite some time); but I want to strangle him! My area (NOT a large city, but adequate size) is just slammed with new notaries and new SA's. I personally have had a half a dozen call me for info on being a SA, AFTER they have taken his course. (I knew these people thru a law firm where we worked together, some already had their commission, others took the test via this class.) Anyhow, they don't have a clue! And they call themselves SA's! And he comes to town every two weeks and adds to the confusion by "teaching" a dozen more to jump into the mess!

I used to help each and every one that called or emailed me for info/clarification. Then my husband helped me to realize that I am just aiding the competition.

California is truly LOADED with new notaries. It is not slowing down. And to be honest, the test in CA is NOT difficult.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 12/22/05 11:07am
Msg #84121

Agree with Amanda 100%, on both points.

Reply by CaliNotary on 12/24/05 1:31am
Msg #84476

Once again, Joan is completely full of sh**

The test in California is a 30 question multiple choice test based on a 42 page booklet. The 42 page booklet has 2 parts, each of which contain the same information. The first half is in laymans terms, the second half are the official statutes. It is "very difficult" in the same way that Ashlee Simpson is "very talented".

I am really getting tired of practically every post from Joan being nothing more than thinly veiled marketing hype for her classes. The misinformation and lies that she posts on a regular basis really are a detriment to this board and I'm glad that so many people on here besides me are willing to call her on her mountains of bullshit.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 12/24/05 12:58am
Msg #84467

Re: Joan, so this would not happen with a CA notary ?? nm

Seems like at least once a week I come across someone new who is personally thinking about becoming a notary/SA or who knows someone who is. It's getting a bit tiresome!

Reply by Joseph Miller on 12/22/05 10:08am
Msg #84089

Joan

North Carolina is one of the few states that require a 6 hour course which includes a test.


Joe/NC

Reply by PAW_Fl on 12/22/05 7:26am
Msg #84057

The unfortunate part about this whole scenario is that I too see this all the time. I've done three splits this past week and in every case, the first notary (two in NY and one in MI) did not cross out the non-signer's name. And in the case of FL property, a NY notary did not change the venue in the certificates. Argh!!

Reply by Janel Nichols on 12/22/05 8:45am
Msg #84072

I have never done a split, where you get paperwork done by another notary. Does this paperwork go back to Title after the first signing and why do they settle for this?

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 12/22/05 10:30am
Msg #84105

Any test which is taken after a 6 hour seminar and pass the same day is not that difficult. The CA test is a cake walk compared to my high school chemistry exam. The real education (for the SA) comes when you begin to do signings. That is when many realize that they have alot of studying to do.

Reply by Janel Nichols on 12/22/05 12:04pm
Msg #84131

Re: Sarabeth

I agree. There is nothing like hands on training. In my opinion tests look good on paper. I have learned much more by reading the posts on this site and by doing.

Reply by John_NCal on 12/22/05 12:49pm
Msg #84140

Re: Sarabeth, I second that opinion! nm