Posted by Anonymous on 3/13/06 12:57am
Msg #104301

Signing Agent Credentials-Certifications-Training

Can someone answer a question? As a Notary in Florida, I'd like to start signing agent work. There are so many people out there who offer "Certification" I am just wondering if it is really needed? and if yes, who is the best company to get it with? I checked the Governers site and there is no information about the qualifications of a signing agent. Are there actual qualifications according to the Law? or is it just 'nice' to have a diploma from one of the many places that offer the training.

Reply by canotarygal on 3/13/06 1:09am
Msg #104303

In California you do NOT need to be certified. As a notary you are qualifed to witness signatures on documents, we are impartial witnesses. Now furthering your education on the loan process, and types of legal forms out there could be useful to you, and create confidence. But remember we cannot explain forms and documents. I took a class to be certified, but they wanted an extra 30.00 for the exam and certificate. I did not learn anything new in the class. All I have learned has been through escrow officers, loan officers and pros in the business that have hired me or that I have networked with.
Good Luck!

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 3/13/06 1:42am
Msg #104305

What school did you attend in Calif?

Reply by SanDiegoCA on 3/13/06 9:30am
Msg #104352

>But remember we cannot explain forms and documents.

I have to disagree with that comment to one degree.

Knowing what those documents are, and what function they have in the signing is all part of the certified signing agent's training, and I believe that it's perfectly all right to explain what those documents are all about.

What's forbidden is to council the borrower(s) on what answers they should give to questions, or whether they should sign or not, THAT'S giving legal advice, which only attorney's can do.

I believe explaining what the docs are is all part of the educated signing agent's service. Yes, it means that in some cases you walk right up to that line of "giving legal advice", but that's what the education is all about, knowing for sure where that line actually is.

Reply by PAW on 3/13/06 5:31am
Msg #104309

Am I safe in assuming you are in the Jacksonville area? (Even though it doesn't make a lot of difference in regards to your question, but the level of SA saturation does need to be considered.)

Florida law does not recognize nor does the SOS address the issues and functions of a "Signing Agent", per se. The Governor's site for notaries is directed solely as the Notary Public office, duties and functions. Nothing more. So gathering information about being a Signing Agent probably cannot be found on the state websites.

You do not need to be certified to perform loan signings. However, as with any vocation, you do need to know what you are doing to be successful at it. Additionally, there is some liability associated with what you do as a notary and as a signing agent when you perform a signing, thus you need to understand the ropes. There are classes available in the major cities within FL every now and then offered by a couple of different companies. The only one I'm familiar with is the one offered by the NNA and I personally do not recommend it. I don't know about any others. If you are comfortable with 'home study' and having a mentor, then I recommend purchasing the Signing Registry's Training Guide and becoming a member of the Signing Registry. (Note: Membership in the SR is not required to purchase the training guide.) The SR's guide is, in my opinion, the most comprehensive training and reference guide available on the market. And the price is not bad either. As an SR member, you will have access to other resources, including having a mentor (at your request) to assist you with your training. For more information, please visit the Signing Registry at http://www.SiginingRegistry.info (click on the gold button to go to the main website). View the "Contact Us" page for phone numbers and email addresses.

Reply by Beth/MD on 3/13/06 6:19am
Msg #104316

One of the smartest things I did was the SR training course. And I did it after being in the business for a while. There's so many things you think you know until you take the course! I think PAW's advice (as usual) is right on the money. Good luck.

Reply by FlaMac on 3/13/06 6:18am
Msg #104315

There is one that has great....

people, thier prices are very affordable and they keep up with all the current laws that affect us. If you want more info please email me. If you don't have any experience it might be the best place for you to start. Even someone with years of experience becomes certified as many companies require it.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 3/13/06 7:09am
Msg #104323

Certification Standard?

IS there a standard for certification?

Reply by PAW on 3/13/06 7:43am
Msg #104327

Re: Certification Standard? I wish ...

... there were, but unfortunately, anyone or any business can develop their own "certification" criteria. Some are excellent, some are good and some I wouldn't recommend. But, being "certified" is a nice label that doesn't guarantee that the the holder of that title can do the job required.

Reply by Shane_OH on 3/13/06 8:07am
Msg #104333

I am certified....

By myself....I gave myself a 1 question test "Do you have a stamp?" YES!!!! I scored a 100%

In all actuality I got certified by 2 places, before i realized that Title Companies, Signing Services, and Lenders have never heard of any of those certifications at all, Including the NNA. There is no standardized way......yet

As a marketing tool, it helps if it moves you up in a search ranking, other than that, all of the certifications currently floating around are pretty much useless.

Reply by Anonymous on 3/13/06 8:41am
Msg #104347

Thanks for the answers

Thanks to all of you for responding. The 2 things I learned are:

1. Being a Notary in Florida requires you to go through several State manadatory steps: training, 7.5K insurance, applying and paying a fee, having a stamp etc.

2. Being a Signing Agent in Florida requries you to be a Notary, everything else you do is just for the knowledge and experience.

I am glad I did not waste money on 4 different "course, & dimplomas" to become a signing agent.

P.S. anyone want to be a signing agent? send me $45.50 and I'll send you a book and a Diploma. ;-)

Reply by Shane_OH on 3/13/06 12:13pm
Msg #104404

Well, hopefully you educate yourself too....

This job is a lot more than just being a Notary, even though, a Notary can do this job. This is why there should be an industry distinction between a Notary, and an NSA. In my opinion we are both two different job classifications...

Reply by SanDiegoCA on 3/13/06 9:39am
Msg #104355

>There are so many people out there who offer "Certification"
>I am just wondering if it is really needed?

You could most likely be successful in the business without the certification, but there is NO WAY to properly do the job without the education that passing the certification test demands.

One other thing to remember, in marketing yourself to clients, certification is a "badge" that says you are educated in the process and duties, and therefore will be far more likely to be error free and do your assigned job correctly the first time.

I have three certifications, the NNA's little test, and certificate, the test and certificate that was given by the company who also trained me in basic notary skills, and the certification from one well known website, which was the most detailed and worthwile in it's education.

And YES, I display the certificates on my website, and carry the certification cards, as "credentials".

Reply by Shane_OH on 3/13/06 12:18pm
Msg #104405

As far as Title Companies recognizing a "Certification"... I recently called close to 60 title companies doing a survey on NSA issues. While talking to their closing scheduler/coordinator, I asked the question about whether or not they prefer "Certified Signing Agents", 95% of them replied in a manner that says they don't recognize ANY certification, and being certified by anyone would not influence them more toward using a certified closer to a non-certified closer. (This including the NNA, 123, SR, etc)

Their take on it was simply that they have no idea what is on the tests, and there is no oversight. One person actually said as far as they know the certification tests ask the ingredients to make brownies.