Posted by nezzie on 2/7/07 9:44am
Msg #174484

License in Maryland

I have an associate who signed up with Navy Federal to do signings for them. They asked her if she had a license and she said no. They told her she needed one. She was surprised and called a title co. in Maryland and they too told her she needed a license. She was also told that what she was doing was illegal. Does anyone else know about this?

Reply by skrittof on 2/7/07 9:49am
Msg #174485

Maryland requires a title producer's license n/m

Reply by Genkichan on 2/7/07 10:33am
Msg #174500

Re: Finally...

Some companies actually stepping up to the plate and refusing to hire "just notaries" to do their closings in MD...it's about time. Your friend needs to stop doing closings immediately and go to the MIA and figure out how to get licensed, bonded (for $100,000) and insured.

Reply by nezzie on 2/7/07 10:51am
Msg #174507

Re: Finally...

Being licensed is okay but companies from out of state has been calling her to do signings and it was never conveyed to her or asked of her about a license. I don't know if this has just happened in the New Year or not but she has been doing them for a good while.

Reply by Genkichan on 2/7/07 1:00pm
Msg #174535

Re: Finally...

Good grief. This has been on the books since 2004 and if your friend actually ever read the notary handbook for the state of Maryland it would be VERY clear to her that an unlicensed notary is NOT to notarize deeds of trusts for loan transactions where title insurance policies are obtained (i.e. every single loan on the planet, since no lender is going to not insure their loan against the title of a house, either a first or a second lien). "doing this for a good while" means that she has been completely negligent, and violating the laws and title insurance underwriting requirements in this state.

Does she even realize that the title insurance policies that were issued on every single loan she has closed could be very well called into question and legally rendered null and void if ever challenged in court? I find it absolutlely shocking that some notary could be "doing this for a good while" and not have a clue about it. There are several notaries out there who choose to recklessly ignore the laws, and still take business from unsuspecting out-of-state clients. But not knowing about it? The whole situation here in Maryland has been BEAT TO DEATH by the entire industry ever since it started...It is the business operator's (in this case the notary's) responsibilities to know the laws in the state in which they conduct business, and to act accordingly. The hiring entity should also be verifying her status, and I'm really surprised to hear that many have not.

As for those companies who are still hiring unlicensed notaries in this state...one of these days they are going to get their butts whopped into some serious trouble. As of Oct. 1, 2006, Title copmanies doing business in Maryland are actually supposed to cover all their ICs under their own fidelity bonds, too, per the MIA. All it takes is for ONE LOAN, ONE TITLE INSURANCE POLICY to not pay out on a claim due to an unlicensed notary...One notary and one out-of-state title co. to get his/her butt royally sued.... I'm axiously waiting for that day to arrive. Suddenly everyone else really will start waking up and smelling the coffee around here.

PS -- Since your friend is taking business from out-of-state clients, it is clear proof that she is working remotely, and is the only person besides the client present for the closing transaction. The MD notary handbook does say that if there's another title licensed person, or the loan /bank representative, present for the closing, then "just a notary" can handle the business.

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/7/07 1:25pm
Msg #174543

Re: Finally...

I agree, G.

Aren't those handbooks helpful little buggers?

Love mine!

Reply by Yowheelz on 2/7/07 3:54pm
Msg #174576

It's a shame that ALL notaries in MD were not sent a letter. Some of the older notaries do not have nor were they sent new rule books. Until someone says "do you have a Title Producers license" they don't have a clue. The out of state companies either don't know or choose to find blind notaries. It's a little like me getting calls to do work in DE. When I say "you do know that DE is attorney state" they are suprised and didn't have a clue. Many MD notaries are still clueless and are looking for a lot of trouble if caught. Ignorance is no excuse.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 2/7/07 7:49pm
Msg #174596

Re: License in Maryland....some bull crap/poppy cock....

If you are a Maryland Notary Public you know darn well you have to be licensed to do closings. I have been here for 10 years and if they have any sense and come out of the house, they know they have to have a tpl.

I hope that every notary that did a closing in Maryland that is not licensed and doing settlements is sued up to their ying yang. They get what they deserve.

I get calls all the time from different websites I sign up with and 9 out of 10 ask me if I have my tpl. They got the message somehow.

(This was not directed to you Yowheelz, I just posted under your post).

Reply by WDMD on 2/8/07 5:19am
Msg #174630

Re: License in Maryland....some bull crap/poppy cock....

Signing Service: I have a signing and need a LTP. Do you have your license?
Me: Yes I do.
Signing Service: Great, because you are a LTP we know of your extra expense. We can give you $75 for this signing. The docs are going overnight to the borrower. If for some reason we need to e-doc we will give you an additional $20.
Me: Uh, that fee does not begin to cover my expenses plus make a living.
Signing Service: Hmmm, sure you cannot do it for that? ( Time for plan b, hire the only ones who work for that price, the unlicensed)

Reply by sue_pa on 2/8/07 7:47am
Msg #174644

Re: License in Maryland....some bull crap/poppy cock....

I am in a border county.

Signing Service: I need you to go to Cecil County.
Me: I cannot cross the line; however, here is the name & number of a great agent who has a TPL.
Signing Service: We don't need all that, we just want a notary.
Me: Call this person anyway, they do exactly what I do plus they are properly licensed in MD.

I check later and of course this person hasn't received a call.

Another thing - there are several PA notaries who list in their profiles on various sites that they cover certain MD counties. Do they have their licenses? I'd guess not. Are they commissioned in both states? I'd guess not from reading most of the profiles.