Posted by Becky on 1/27/05 9:47pm
Msg #18481

New Notary

I am a new notary signing agent in the process of getting certified. I did a Mortgage Closing the other day and was so nervous of messing up that I actually felt my shoulders tighten up and caused a headache. Can anyone give me some advice on how I can get more experienced before being left alone to do closings.
Thanks

Reply by HisHughness on 1/27/05 10:17pm
Msg #18487

Advice for new notaries

The members of this board will be happy to help you >>once YOU have done all that YOU should do to prepare yourself.<<

Please do two things: 1) Read, AND TAKE THE TIME TO FULLY COMPREHEND, your state’s manual for notaries public; then 2) come back to this board. Above the menu of posts, click the "First" button. Go all the way to the very first post in June 2003, "Welcome to the General Discussion Forum." Read all the way to the last post today. You will find your answer many times over in the intervening messages, along with far better information about being a signing agent than you’ll ever get from any certification course. I realize that much of what you will read will be duplicative, and some will be totally irrelevant. But, in sum, reading the archives of this board will almost surely be the most informative thing you will ever do to assist you in being a signing agent. You also would be well advised to pursue any Internet sites that posters have indicated might be helpful in furthering your knowledge.

If, after doing both of the above, your question remains unanswered, then come back and post your question on the board. You will probably find that you will get more and more helpful responses if you post under an identifiable handle and include a state designation in that handle.

Good luck in preparing for a fulfilling career as a mobile notary/signing agent.

Reply by Marla_NorCal on 1/27/05 10:21pm
Msg #18488

Hi Becky,

If you can find another NSA in your area or maybe not to far away, you can ask to go on a signing with them, to observe and learn "tricks" of the trade, like how to introduce a document, etc, I have heard that is one way, although, I finally just jumped in and did it alone. The best advice I can give is: be very thorough as you preview the package, sticky notes on pages t/b notarized or any other page you could "overlook" like initials in the middle of the page. Always have your notary primer with you for looking up questions on notarial acts. Also, call the NSA hotline (if you are a member) if you have any questions on the docs, before you go out, they are helpful to me so far. Be as organized as possible for the signing enough pens that right, ect. And of course just remember to BREATHE, it helps alot

You will get more comfortable and confident with each new signing. Good Luck in your new venture. Marla

Reply by fiKS on 1/28/05 1:05am
Msg #18504

To Becky and New Signing Agents

Hi Becky. I recommend you purchase the training guide from signingregistry.com. It is very helpful for new agents. I find it to be quite thorough. It also contains sample documents and best of all suggested scripts for identifying documents to borrowers. You can use the scripts and sample docs to practice with a friend.

And don't be too worried. If you make a mistake at the signing table, you can swap documents from the borrower's packet.

Good Luck.

From one new notary to another.

Reply by BrendaTX on 1/28/05 7:53am
Msg #18518

Becky - First of all, I commend you for taking this seriously.

For posts on getting more comfortable:
See a previous post of mine: Msg #7239 + the thread it is in. This was posted for another new NSA. This is not a post on more experience, but are some veteran tips for managing information overload and stress when you are new.

I am impressed by your concern that you do the job right. More people should be as concerned about doing the job right rather than thinking "How hard can this be? I'll just put my stamp on there and I am done. Ka-ching."

One of my NSA friends said the following-- I'll let her identify herself if she so chooses:

"What I see on the forums is a prevailing attitude in new NSAs which I call the 'Avon Lady Mentality.' They perceive this as a way to get extra income but don't really dig in and get into making a career of it."

To that I'd add:
And, as a result they don't take it as seriously as they should because it's not their livelihood. Thus, sloppiness in the work is the reason signing services seem to come across sometimes as if they are talking to us like we are idiots. Sometimes they are talking to the indifferent attitude of the Avon Lady Mentality. (Remember this when you read SS instructions and hear the exasperation in their voices when you are asking them good questions. Try not to be offended as I have realized that this is a problem for them.)

And, for Avon Ladies - this is not a slam. (I love Skin-So-Soft! And, my own mother was a pretty successful Avon Lady for a long time.) Using the term "Avon Lady Mentality" is just a descriptive way to define the attitude of indifference which comes along with not understanding the seriousness of a notary public's duties or the financial concerns that are at stake when we are handling the borrower's loan.

ps - For the Coiner of the phrase "Avon Lady Mentality" I am writing this at 7:30 am in Texas and thinking about you this morning. I would give you a call right now, except that you might get a little grumpy with me if I called you at such an early hour, your time.