Posted by snoopdogMs on 9/20/08 1:56pm
Msg #264845

Ink color

I closed a HELOC today and sent the package out promptly. I was reviewing my e-mail and noticed that imbedded (3rd page) in the closing instructions, NOT my notary closing instructions, that it said to use black ink. I had to sign the bottom of my notary instructions and agree to the terms. There was no mention of black ink in these instructions that I signed. I generally ignore the closing instructions (same as the 23 pages in a Countrywide loan) as these instructions are not for the notary. The closer at the bottom of these closing instructions was to send the package the day after dispursement and within these few pages were the ink instructions. Have I dropped the ball here or did they?

Reply by snoopdogMs on 9/20/08 2:10pm
Msg #264846

I always use blue ink unless told otherwise. n/m

Reply by Lee/AR on 9/20/08 2:29pm
Msg #264847

Re: I always use blue ink unless told otherwise.

In similar circumstances, I've used the 'wrong' color ink and the world didn't come to an end.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 9/20/08 2:55pm
Msg #264848

Should be OK

unless it was a GMAC/DiTech. They HAVE to be signed in BLACK and if they aren't you will be doing a resign.

Reply by snoopdogMs on 9/20/08 4:07pm
Msg #264851

It was a Citibank. n/m

Reply by desktopfull on 9/21/08 2:42am
Msg #264887

Re: It was a Citibank.

Citibank is very specific they may have you go back to resign the docs. I made that mistake once and they sent me back out to resign the docs. I've found that it's always best to read the closing instructions from the lender in addition to your instructions from the TC or SS. Even Countrywide started including a page for the borrower's to sign in the 23 pages of instructions that no one used to read.

Reply by LKT/CA on 9/20/08 5:05pm
Msg #264853

If it wasn't in the NOTARY closing instructions, then I believe *they* dropped the ball. JMHO

I've made black ink my default color unless written NOTARY instructions say otherwise. I notarize regularly for an attorney in my area and one time I was filling out the ack's in blue ink and he informed me to use black because "the courts are particular about that" were his words. Because of that, even for general notary jobs, I pull out black ink for the certificates and for the signers.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/20/08 5:38pm
Msg #264855

Many are particular about their own preference, and I no longer find rhyme or reason to their choices. One group or person insists on one color and someone else insists on the other. I do work for one attorney who not only wants everything signed in blue, he also wants us to use HIS pens which are a little different. He says his consistency can be helpful in court, because an attempt to swap out a page would stand out like a sore thumb.

My preference would also be for that instruction to be right up front in the notary instructions. My guess is that it's a carry over from the days when signings were typically done in the office by the closing agent. Doesn't make it right, though.

Reply by MW/VA on 9/20/08 5:52pm
Msg #264859

I've always been told that ink color is a state issue. In VA both black & blue are acceptable.
For almost a year now I've been using blue almost exclusively, and been told it is about being able to distinguish it as an original. Either way, I've never had a set of docs that were required to be re-signed because of ink color. I do think Arizona specifies black ink.

Reply by snoopdogMs on 9/20/08 6:04pm
Msg #264861

About 95% of all my closings are blue ink. n/m

Reply by snoopdogMs on 9/20/08 7:35pm
Msg #264867

Title co. responded- black ink from now on. n/m

Reply by snoopdogMs on 9/20/08 7:36pm
Msg #264868

Only for this particular title company. n/m

Reply by PAW on 9/21/08 6:57am
Msg #264890

May be a lender requirement as well

Citibank requires black ink on their HELOCs. (At least they used to.) But CitiMortgage made no requirment. One lender required blue signatures, but black for all other information.

If lender closing instructions are included in the package, I suggest that the signing agent should read them to see if there may be some requirements, such as ink color, that may not be stated by the title company and/or signing service.

Reply by LynnNC on 9/21/08 9:55am
Msg #264905

If the instructions don't specify, I always ask.

Reply by parkerc/ME on 9/21/08 3:12pm
Msg #264916

My default is black unless they specifically instruct otherwise. Found out ING prefers blue (after-the-fact, they did not specify any preference beforehand). We ended up redoing the HELOC anyway (this time did it in blue!) when BO later decided they wanted a larger loan amount.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 9/22/08 10:35am
Msg #264961

Always follow instructions (duh!), but generally ...

... the Clerks' offices in CT prefer black.

Reply by snoopdogMs on 9/22/08 1:39pm
Msg #264973

Re: Always follow instructions (duh!), but generally ...

Earnest, I always follow instructions for the notary of which this package contained about 3 pages of which I implemented all points and signed that I had. One would think that if ink is so important, that it would stand out blaringly in those notary instructions which it usually does. I agree with PAW and will scrutinize the lender instructions in the future but most packages such as the 23 pages of closing instructions in a CW loan are for the most part are not meant to be detailed by the notary. Sometimes the title company will even suggest not printing those pages.