Posted by Alice Jones on 8/15/07 8:42am
Msg #205614

Finger Printing

How important is it to do finger printing? Do you find that you are often asked to provide this service?

Reply by Loretta Reed on 8/15/07 8:53am
Msg #205616

I don't think you should do fingerprinting unless the law requires it. I sure don't

Reply by Loretta Reed on 8/15/07 8:54am
Msg #205617

Re: Finger Printing..Are you Above and Beyond Closings? n/m

Reply by Alice Jones on 8/15/07 9:08am
Msg #205623

Re: Finger Printing..Are you Above and Beyond Closings?

I only asked, because when we refinanced a signing agent came to our house. He required my husbands thumb print.

It asked in our profile if we do finger printing. I was not sure if this is something that is becoming more required by us or if it is a preference.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 8/15/07 9:11am
Msg #205626

Re: Finger Printing....response and question

I don't fingerprint because MD & VA doesn't require it.
Are you a signing service?

Reply by Alice Jones on 8/15/07 9:14am
Msg #205627

Re: Finger Printing....response and question

No, just an individual notary.

Reply by dickb/wi on 8/15/07 8:10pm
Msg #205843

finger printing is required only in......

the state of california and all the legal people and notary asscns that i have spoken with strongly advise NOT TO DO IT, if state law doesn't require it....it may even be construed as an invasion of ones privacy so i have been told....i am not trying to sell anything here but the Notary Law Institute dwells on all the legals of being a notary and would be a membership well worth the annual fee.............

Reply by LJ on 8/15/07 9:31am
Msg #205649

Re: Finger Printing..Are you Above and Beyond Closings?

Don't get the 2 Alice's confused here. This Alice is looking for someone to train her in the DFW area. The Above and Beyond Closings Alice posted down a bit. I know its confusing with 2 Alice's posting.

Reply by Kathy/ID on 8/15/07 9:32am
Msg #205650

I do not offer this as it is not required by the State of Idaho

Reply by TRG_wy on 8/15/07 9:33am
Msg #205651

Fingerprinting in the profile refers to providing a finger printing service as an aside business feature, not that you do or do not take a thumbprint at closing.

I always do a thumbprint in my journal for all real estate closings or paperwork. Fraud is too big an issue these days and my view is CYA. My state neither requies a journal or thumbprints but I do. This is my livelihood and the added insurance is worth it. If anyone refuses to provide a thumbprint as added security for them (and me) red flags should be flying.

Reply by sue_pa on 8/15/07 10:36am
Msg #205698

...If anyone refuses to provide a thumbprint as added security for them (and me) red flags should be flying....

No flags should be flying for me although I would NEVER pemit a notary to fingerprint me. I've got a valid drivers license with a photo that actually looks like me (on a good hair day). I would never give a notary a thumb print for the simple reason it's not required in my state in order to get something notarized. They can identify me pursuant to my state's requirements and that's all they'd ever get. There is no security for the signer - they know who they are - that just makes no sense.

Reply by TRG_wy on 8/15/07 10:59am
Msg #205710

There is plenty of security for the signer. They are assured that I am taking measures to protect them against real estate fraud. Have you bothered to see the latest stats for ID theft as it pertains to real estate ID theft? It is in the $Billions and growing. To say you would not take an extra step (even though not required by your state) to ensure against it is non-sensical.

Photo ID card alone is NOT proof beyond any doubt whatsoever that you are who you claim to be - a twin, very good look alike .... When it comes to the high value of real property I take my position very seriously. I'm sorry, but it sounds like you do not given your entire response. I can rest and sleep comfortably knowing that there is no way getting around a thumbprint should an issue arise; my a** is covered because I took every means possible to verify the signers.

Reply by sue_pa on 8/15/07 1:02pm
Msg #205737

...it comes to the high value of real property I take my position very seriously. I'm sorry, but it sounds like you do not given your entire response...

Alrighty then. Because I choose to follow the wisdom of my state legislators (the majority of whom are lawyers), I don't take my job seriously? How about all the other legislators in all the other states that also don't require fingerprinting? While I am not positive and sure am not going to look it up, I believe CA is the only state that requires a thumbprint and that is only for certain notarizations. Because a notary out there in notary world would decide to create all sorts of imaginary possible situations does not mean that I, as a consumer, would comply.

Reply by TRG_wy on 8/15/07 1:15pm
Msg #205743

The whole issue is moot in states that prohibit the taking of thumbprints. The point here has been in states that do NOT prohibit or require thumbprints or journals for that matter; why not take the extra measure of ensuring the identity of signers.

Nothing like doing only the bare minimum and nothing else.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/15/07 11:10am
Msg #205714

Re: Finger Printing - I'm with you Sue

I also would not allow a notary to fingerprint me. They have no authority to do so in the state of Florida. I have the required Florida state identification to have something notarized.
And a notary in the state of Florida cannot refuse to notarize just because I wouldn't allow them to fingerprint me.

Reply by TRG_wy on 8/15/07 11:24am
Msg #205720

Re: Finger Printing - I'm with you Sue

All I can add is that I hope you are never a victum of ID theft yourself. I have been hit three times to the tune of well over $100,000.00 so I take it extremely serious. It is a wakeup call that is a nightmare. If you don't want me to help protect you (is it really you?), fine, but if it isn't really you, be prepared for the worst experience you can imagine.

Some people just are not willing to learn from the experiences of others. Fasten your seatbelt.

I also understand that FL has a law against it (reading posts from FL notaries).

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/15/07 12:56pm
Msg #205736

Re: Finger Printing - I'm with you Sue

A good defense attorney could challenge a fingerprint taken by an unprofessional - someone who is not an expert in taking fingerprints. The manner in which the print is taken - the pressure etc could cause some distortion. An average human fingerprint contains between 75 and 175 ridge characterisitics. Distortion can cause a ridge characteristic to appear as something other than what it really is. While everyone's fingerprints are different they can have some matching ridge characteristics and even an expert fingerprint examiner could make a false identification when comparing prints. Especially when the fingerprint has been taken by someone not professionally trained to take fingerprints.
A Daubert motion could be filed for the defense.

Reply by SharonMN on 8/15/07 2:35pm
Msg #205781

Re: Finger Printing - I'm with you Sue

People asking for notary service have a right to keep certain information private and make their own decisions about what information to disclose. Notaries have no business making up their own additional requirements for notarization. A fingerprint may not seem like much, but what if the notary asked for a blood sample for a DNA test, or decided every signing needed two credible witnesses in addition to ID? It would certainly be safer, but not everyone is willing to give up their rights to privacy and freedom to obtain greater safety.

Reply by TRG_wy on 8/15/07 4:15pm
Msg #205797

Re: Finger Printing - I'm with you Sue

Sometimes I really wonder where and how some people became notaries.

"...Notaries have no business making up their own additional requirements for notarization."
It is MY responsibility to determine the true identity of a signer. By utilizing a journal (not required) and having them sign it (also not required) and providing a thumbprint for real property transcations (not required) I am going above and beyond to protect THEM and myself should an issue arise. Nobody is asking for blood or DNA.

Over the last 30+ years I seen some real winners proport to be notaries and I can see why there are so many problems traced back to those who do not take their position seriously. Just reading some of these posts and the errors committed that require re-signs is evident enough. This isn't a "rubber stamp will travel" career. The responsibilty and trust placed in a notary public is a time honored tradition and a position of trust, honor, and integrity. Some people do not take their position seriously.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/15/07 5:40pm
Msg #205814

Re: Finger Printing - I'm with you Sue

I can assure you I take my position as a notary public very seriously, and I follow Florida notary laws to the letter, which is why I am a certified notary instructor in the State of Florida.

Reply by CaliNotary on 8/15/07 5:42pm
Msg #205815

You obviously don't take your position seriously TRG

If you did, you wouldn't need a CA notary to point out WY notary law to you:

http://soswy.state.wy.us/notary/powers.htm

2. Notaries may not refuse service to anyone who makes a reasonable and lawful request for a notarization and they must treat all persons equally. If a notary's employer instructs the notary to perform a notarization which would violate state notary law, the notary must comply with all aspects of the notary law.


Now please explain how this means you can require a thumbprint, even though your state law says you don't even need to keep a journal?

Reply by TRG_wy on 8/15/07 7:24pm
Msg #205837

Re: You obviously don't take your position seriously TRG

Thanks - I needed that refresher. I know the law in WY and was a notary in CA before moving here; and AZ before that going back to 1975.

What you quote has no bearing at all on the topic or anything else posted herein.

I never stated I REQUIRE a thumbprint. It is merely an added verification of ID, which is quite LEGAL to do here. I have NEVER had anyone refuse a thumprint either. On the contrary, I get constant thanks and praise for requesting them and the use of a jouranl as well.

Reply by TRG_wy on 8/15/07 7:34pm
Msg #205839

Addendum - Explanation:

Explanation:

The state does NOT require a journal be kept but "highly encourages its use" (quote from SOS office). Used by title, banks, legal offices, pawn shops, mail/postal stores, AND me, e.t.c. Thumbprints are also taken at some of these places and even some department stores when cashing checks. SO, I am not out of line nor are my business practices out of line.