Posted by Erin Pierson on 10/20/09 12:47am
Msg #307862

What documents to notarize

I need to know if I need to notarize all loan documents that the clients sign at a signing or do I just notarize the documents that have a space for me to notarize. How do I find out what documents require notarization in ohio? Help I think I am wasting ink!

Reply by ChristineHI on 10/20/09 1:25am
Msg #307863

You do NOT notarize all of the documents in a mortgage signing. Was this your first mortgage signing by chance?
The only documents that you notarize are the documents with the acknowledgement or jurat wording on them. You will clearly see the wording on the documents to be notarized. There will be the section to fill out your information, such as the date and borrower (s) name(s) and a signature line for your signature. A majority of the docs in a mortgage package will not be notarized.
If there is only places for the borrowers to sign and no notary wording or notary signature line they don't need notarization.
There are rare exceptions when they don't have the wording there, but there will be instructions for you to attach an acknowledgement or jurat instead.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 10/20/09 5:40am
Msg #307866

I agree with what Christine said 100%, but I sometimes get docs prepared by a Maryland title company that just have a line for the Notary Public to sign and put their commission exp date. Clearly, they want this notarized and maybe that's allowed in MD, however here in VA I must have a notarial certificate - I can't simply sign and stamp. In those cases I ask the TC if they want an ack or jurat. If I cannot get a hold of the TC for an answer or if I don't realize it until I'm at the table, I'll have the signer choose (the notary can't choose) and either stamp the certificate wording onto the bottom of the document or I'll use a separate certificate.

Sometimes there is an indication somewhere in the document whether the signer acknowledges, which indicates an ack certificate is needed, or the signer swears or is under oath, in which case the indication is that the document preparer wants a jurat certificate.

Reply by LindaP/OH on 10/20/09 8:40am
Msg #307874

This is really disturbing!! New Notaries are meeting with innocent borrowers; in some cases, the borrowers know MORE than that notary. The statement made here wasn't EVEN BASIC Notary 101 and she is meeting wiith the public with evidently no training whatsoever. I am not particularly in favor of more regulation, but it seems to me that there should at least be SOME requirements fulfilled BEFORE they go out in the field--no doubt representing that they know what they are doing. How many jobs, of ANY importance, can you successfully complete with absolutely no guidance or instruction, let alone the legalities involved with a loan closing. I wonder how that SS or TC is feeling after reading her post! I think the other posts here were kind, but this notary needs to be steered in the direction of much more indepth instruction. JMHO

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 10/20/09 9:07am
Msg #307876

Af few years ago,I was the second half of a two part signing

Dox had been sent to 2nd signer.
When I looked at them , it was all I could do not to laugh.
Just about every doc had a notary stamp and signature somewhere on the signature page.
It was a Sat. and could not reach anyone.
Had my guy sign where reqd and I did my notary thing where indicated.
Put big note on front of package.
Never did hear what happened later.
Agree that whoever has hired OP for signings, needed to ask more ?? re: experience and
knowledge.

Reply by EEP on 10/20/09 9:33pm
Msg #308030

I have only done 2 signings and I am obviously taking the steps to learn more before I perform more signings. I appreciate the people that have helped with my answer and not just critisized my lack of knowledge. I am learning as much as possible-I have purchased the TSR training guide and am doing as much research online as possible. I have contacted a local notary who said she would help me. If you have any assistance to offer or good places to find info I would appreciate it, thanks.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/21/09 3:31pm
Msg #308131

Good for you, Erin! You can't do any better than the TSR training guide. As for other resources, there have been tons of useful links mentioned here over the years, but I wouldn't know what to begin to search for to find them.

Some have suggested to newbies that they start at the beginning of all the messages stored here and read nearly everything. You will find lots of nonsense posts where things have tended to get personal from time to time (I guess it will happen any where...), but those will be easy to find and skip over. If you actually take the time to do that, it will be like taking a college course on loan signing. If you do, I suggest you take care to note who is giving the advise before taking it to heart. Over the years, there has been lots of well intentioned bad advise (imho) given out here. Sometimes, someone with not much more experience than you will want to "help" and will give their opinion, but it doesn't mean it's right or of value. However, after a while you should be able to get a good idea about various posters and how seriously to take their advice. BTW, I should add that sometimes the best advice comes in a pretty tough package, so I recommend looking past style for real content -- if you seriously want to succeed.

Before doing that, though, if you haven't already, everyone here suggests studying all of message 33325, which is a collection of some of the best advice for newbies that was posted during the boom years. One of the messages there even includes of list of some of the posters who someone (Brenda TX I think?) found to be credible and valued.

Best of luck!

Reply by MW/VA on 10/20/09 9:12am
Msg #307878

IMO if you don't know what you're doing, you shouldn't be doing loan signings in the first place.
Your mistakes will cause a delay in the funding of loans. Drop back, take some study courses, and wait until you're ready to do this, please. There is an excellent book available here on NotRot.
This is a profession, and should be respected as such.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/20/09 9:13am
Msg #307879

Also read message 33325, using the orange search button.

Reply by HARRY_PA on 10/20/09 9:43am
Msg #307881

Happy troll day

Some folks must be very bored.

Harry

Reply by enotary/va on 10/20/09 10:26am
Msg #307891

Re: Happy troll day

I think i know the answer. But, what is a troll?

Reply by MistarellaFL on 10/20/09 10:34am
Msg #307897

what is a troll?

http://www.flayme.com/troll/#What

Reply by ChristineHI on 10/20/09 2:17pm
Msg #307936

I do agree this person needs to take a step back and get more training. As a loan processor I would have been very upset if docs came back with notarizations that were not required. It would require a resigning of docs so it is a serious mistake that would cause delays in funding. That being said, I too tool a step back and decided to give helpful information to this person so they will hopefully not make this huge mistake.
I do think that signing companies that hire notaries need to make sure the notaries are qualified. I think some just take the cheapest or most convenient notary instead of the most qualified.
You have to start somewhere and after almost 19 years in the business I can forget what it's like just starting out, but it is important before doing any job that you are trained. Unfortunately, many are not because that is not a requirement in most cases.
It does scare me that such critical documents are being handled by inexperiened people however I am glad when people actually ask questions instead of making the mistake. Even though it's scary to hear, at least some are willing to learn. That is a good first step.