Posted by Linda/IL on 3/11/08 1:36pm
Msg #238876

certified

Just got a call from NNA to sell me the certification and background check classes. Told them I was already background checked, and didn't think I needed to be certified since I've already have done hundreds of signings. She went on to tell me I am breaking Federal laws not being certfied, and even cited the law, and I could get into BIG trouble. I am in a hurry so I told her to call me later. I told her I was not aware of any law like that in Illinois. What do you guys think?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 3/11/08 1:43pm
Msg #238879

She is blowing smoke! What federal law did she cite you?

Reply by LisaWI on 3/11/08 1:47pm
Msg #238882

This I would like to see!!! IMO, I would constitute that a threat. Very interesting. Please keep us updated.

Reply by Mike/AZ on 3/11/08 1:49pm
Msg #238884

The only law I can think of that the NNA person might be referring to is the GLBA compliance law requiring all parties involved in loan transactions to be background-screened. (I don't recall the exact wording of the law - I'm just paraphrasing.) As others have pointed out, all notaries are background screened by the Secretary of State before being commissioned or renewing. (I know CA an AZ do, are there any states that don't?) There are other laws requiring loan officers to be licensed to SELL certain loan products, but I'm not aware of any laws requiring certification on the part of signing agents. I agree with Sylvia, the lady's blowing smoke.

NNA = rip-off. They're only good for fancy acknowledgment forms.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 3/11/08 2:14pm
Msg #238894

In Virginia all you need is $35 and a pulse to become a notary. No tests or classes required. You do have to swear that you have no criminal convictions, but the state does not check on that as far as I know.

Personally, I wish it was more difficult to become a notary here. So many Virginia notaries here have no idea what they are doing.

Reply by LisaWI on 3/11/08 2:19pm
Msg #238897

Re: certified....I can definately agree with this, but

for the NNA to say one is breaking the law by not being certified is crossing the line. Wisconsin is basically the same way and I run into stories all the time about notaries not knowing what they are doing.
In my opinion, the states need to be stepping up to the plate and cleaning up their own notary issues. I also think the networks would be an asset to this cause.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 3/11/08 2:24pm
Msg #238898

Re: certified....I can definately agree with this, but

I completely agree - all the states should be doing background checks and even though I don't relish the thought of taking classes, it certainly would weed out every Tom, Dick, and Sally on every corner and at every gas station and convenience store with a notary sign. I also agree the NNA crossed the line - but no surprise there.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 3/11/08 2:41pm
Msg #238901

Not in CA, here every Tom, Dick & Sally are Notaries! n/m

Reply by LKT/CA on 3/11/08 2:58pm
Msg #238907

Maybe where you live, Charles.....

....but not everywhere in CA....I am surprised at the number of people that (1) never heard of a "mobile" Notary, (2) didn't know Notaries are at the UPS Store, FedEx Kinkos or the AAA office, and (3) barely knew how to find a Notary.

And these are not all elderly people who are clueless. As a matter of fact, one lady who called me last week is a doctor and was clueless about notary duties, she just knew she needed one to notarize her document.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 3/11/08 6:24pm
Msg #238955

Where I live I am THE notary!

However most of California is overflowing with notaries. You'd be surprised how many people can't find themselves on a map, let alone find a notary. A recent study showed that most people can't even find the US on a map.

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 3/12/08 1:07am
Msg #239014

Calif is not overflowing with notaries

We have the least notaries per capita in the US.

Also in CA we have only 40% of the notary students signing up for a notary class since CountryWide's meltdown in Aug 2007. I teach classes in CA.
June 2007 class size was approx 50 and now it is approx 20.

We will probably lose at least 40,00 notaries in CA 2008.

I have completed 13 signings this month so far and that is because I know how to market myself.
I am in the 3rd worst market in the US: Riverside& San Bernardino Counties

Reply by LKT/CA on 3/11/08 6:43pm
Msg #238961

Bad me, bad me!

I keep saying "notarizing the doc" when I mean notarize the signature on the doc.

Bad, bad Lisa!

Reply by LKT/CA on 3/11/08 2:42pm
Msg #238902

To become a CA notary as of 1-1-08:

(approx.)
6 hour class..............................................$100
Livescan (fingerprinting)............................$80
Passport photo (to include w/application).....$10
Application & testing............$40
Journal is required.............$20

Then wait 6 - 8 weeks for b.c. check to go through the Dept. of Justice and the FBI
Total.......$250

This doesn't include the seal, thumbprint pad, briefcase/bag, pens, stickies, and other supplies. Add an additional $75

Reply by Luana Lonergan on 3/11/08 2:48pm
Msg #238905

I visit a lot of the notary website forums and am amazed at the questions some of the newbies ask. They are either downright ridiculous or just plain numb. Why are they doing this if they don't know anything about it? One evern wanted to know how she could notarize a last will and testament. WHAT??

Reply by sue_pa on 3/11/08 4:40pm
Msg #238936

...One evern wanted to know how she could notarize a last will and testament. WHAT??...

I have notarized THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS of Wills. I basically won't do notary work for the public but if I did I'd notarize a Will. CA apparently has a 'suggestion' about notarizing Wills and I don't know about other states but I could care less what the document is - if the signer is before me and the document has proper notarial language, etc., I'll notarize it. The NNA suggested/stated a few years ago that you should never notarize a Will unless under the direction of an attorney - hogwash unless your state has those prohibitions.

Reply by LKT/CA on 3/11/08 3:34pm
Msg #238922

Forgot to add...

Bond.....$38
Oath at County Recorder......$48

You have to buy the bond ($38) and pay ($48) to file it and take the oath at the county recorder's office. It's about a little over $400 to become a CA Notary.

So $250 six hour class, test, application, photo, fingerprinting, journal
$75 seal, thumbprint pad, bag/briefcase, pens and other supplies
$38 bond
$48 file the bond and take the oath.

This does not include E & O Insurance (optional) , loan signing course (optional), laser printer (optional), paper & printer supplies (optional) or other incidentals

Reply by MikeC/NY on 3/11/08 3:19pm
Msg #238916

GLBA doesn't require background screening - it requires that financial institutions develop a system that complies with data integrity regulations. Background screening may be part of that system but it's up to the lender to decide whether to use it and, if so, who in the chain it applies to.

The NNA had backed off their pitch that screening was required under CLBA, and started saying instead that it was "recommended". Even that much is a stretch; THE FTC used screening as an example, not as a recommendation.

I would be interested to know what Federal law this woman cited to her, since no one has been able to even agree on what "certification" means, and there is no law I'm aware of that requires screening...

Reply by Lee/AR on 3/11/08 6:06pm
Msg #238949

Read Mike's post... he's got it right! n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/12/08 1:21am
Msg #239016

Not only that, I'd bet their "certification" training barely mentions "data integrity regulations"...

Reply by Kathy/ID on 3/11/08 3:20pm
Msg #238917

Idaho does not have any testing or background check. all you need is $30.00 app fee, stamp, bond and you are good to go. On the application it asks if you have any criminal activity or something like that but they do not check it.