Posted by Mike Photon on 10/4/06 12:52pm
Msg #150195

Signature in Journal

I have a bo whose name on ID is John Paul Doe and his signature reads John P Doe. Now all the docs has his name printed as John Doe and the lender insists he signs his name exactly as in the docs. He managed to do it though he ended up having a couple of "oops" and changing it.
Now on the journal I have identified him as on his ID (John Paul Doe) and he signed as he usually does (John P Doe). Is this the right way to do it? I am thinking this is no big deal but wondering how others handle it.
I know some lenders are pretty strict about signing the name as printed, but I don't get the point. The funny thing is, the way he put his signature I could not make out whether there is a P or Paul in it. I, as a notary, ALWAYS sign as MikeP and never had an issue, even on my own home loan docs. Of course I can write my name many other ways, but they won't be my signature. Well... it's the lender's money let them have it their way.

Reply by Gary_CA on 10/4/06 1:01pm
Msg #150200

Re: Signature in Journal as ID

I want him to sign my journal just like his ID so I can compare the two... then the docs as printed. Otherwise you'd be hard pressed to show due dilligence in ID'ing him.

Reply by lizbeth on 10/4/06 1:06pm
Msg #150202

This is too funny! This is an ongoing issue with my Borrowers. In my journal I write their name and address according to DL. In notes I log any differences.

On the loan docs, I insist they sign exactly as their name is printed. Always look out for the Escrow versus Loan, they names will vary. Escrow will show with middle initial and the loan will show without or a full middlie name.

Some Borrower's signatures look more like artwork or symbols and you couldn't read it anyway to tell if it had the middle initial if you wanted too.

Right or wrong I now ask that they sign exactly as their name is printed. If their signature is illegible, I ask them "is that how your name is printed?" if they tell me yes I accept it.

Haven't had anything returned yet. I don't know what else to do, if they tell me it is what it is and will compare to any other document ever signed by them, then it must be correct.

What do you think?

Reply by Mike Photon on 10/4/06 1:50pm
Msg #150232

I'm just glad the lenders don't insist me signing my name as printed on the ack, or I wouldn't be able to do the job.
I have promised to CA SOS that I will "always" put my signature as MikeP on all my official acts as a notary public and he seems to agree to it (that's why he commissioned me)

It just feels funny knocking the bo on his/her head for signing "exactly" as printed and then I turn around and sign differently.

Reply by lizbeth on 10/4/06 1:56pm
Msg #150235

Have you had the bo who is going through Identity theft yet? That is a fun one! My bo was advise by his bank and attorney to make a distinct signature during the ordeal so that they will know when the theft is using his name. (did that make sense?)
So this was John J.Doe II and his distinct new signature became John II. Did that put me in a spot! All signature lines on every page were John J. Doe II. So I had him sign both. It's called CYA. And it didn't come back so I guess it was correct.

Never easy is it?

Reply by SanDiegoCA on 10/4/06 2:43pm
Msg #150267

Mike, it really doesn't matter how each Bo signs in your journal as long as you witness his signing and gather a thumb print, although I also like the idea that it should at least resemble the photo ID name and preferably match the signature ON the ID ........

BUT, on the mortgage papers, the title company providing the DOCs may have done research on the current recorded title (and Deed of Trust recording), and many times they will put that exact signature wording on all the mortgage DOCs as it will simplify the recording of the new Deed of Trust at the county courthouse.

I always tell my Bo clients that they should sign EXACTLY how the DOCs show to eliminate any chance that the DOCs will run into trouble during the recording process, as the title company has already determined what should be used on those DOCs.

But in my journal any signature that I witness, including any "artistic" signature they use so that it cannot easily be duplicated, rather than an easily readable signature, will suffice, but I prefer that it matches the ID name, especially if it matches the ID signature if it is available.