Posted by Niki Ortiz Levy on 1/13/10 11:08pm
Msg #317924

Signing agent question / CA

Hi, all. I am a (fairly) newly commissioned notary public, just getting my business off the ground. So far I have notarized an international adoption and that is pretty much it. A friend recently approached me about signing for their home loan refinancing and I am not sure about that. I do not have a financial interest in this transaction, so that is not the issue. I am wondering if I need to be certified as a signing agent in order to notarize signatures on documents in a refinance transaction. I am really concerned with doing the right thing. Essentially my question is: could a notary public sign on loan refinancing documents without being a certified signing agent? These forums have been so helpful to me and I hope that someone can advise.

Thanks so much!
Niki

Reply by Roger_OH on 1/13/10 11:43pm
Msg #317925

You don't have to be a signing agent or certified. You notarize the document signatures
just as you would any other document. It sounds like you're just doing a favor for your friends, as opposed to being hired by a title company or signing service, so you don't need to describing the docs - just notarize and follow your state laws.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 1/14/10 12:30am
Msg #317927

I agree with Roger. However, if part of your plan to expand your business is to do loan document signings (more than just notarizing for a friend the few docs in a pkg that require it), then you need to learn about loan docs. Several organizations out there offer certifications, but none have any recognized authority to do so, nor is there any requirement - but learning about them before expanding into what's left of that part of notary work, is very important, imo. There is much more to it than the notary part and someone else's transaction at stake - not to mention the potential liability. Deciding whether or not to go in that direction is something that should be carefully researched.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 1/14/10 5:58am
Msg #317929

Agree with Janet. If you want to learn about loan docs, there is a training manual sold in the Notary Supplies section on this website that maybe helpful to you. I've never used it, but others have said it's a very good resource. I also agree with what Janet said that no one company has "THE" recognized certification program. Many companies have designed their own "certification" program and sell it like it's the be all end all. Don't let any company sucker you into that. You can self-teach yourself - all you need are the proper resources.

This website is probably the absolute best resource out there - just be sure to use the orange search button before asking a lot of questions, as they've probably already been asked many times before.

I do not have an loan signing "certifications" and never have. I think I've only been asked about it once by a hiring company, to which I replied that I didn't have a certification and they hired me anyway.

Reply by PAW on 1/14/10 7:31am
Msg #317936

As others have said, it is not required to have any type of certification to become or act as a signing agent. However, it is to your best interest to know how to do the job effectively and efficiently. Getting certified is a personal choice and may be beneficial when advertising. In my own personal opinion, the most comprehensive "certification" exam is offered by the Signing Registry (nka National Signing Agent Registry) founded by Kathy Poston who is the author of the training guide found here. (Please email me directly if you would like further information on this exam.)

Other than "looking" good on your resume and advertising literature, some sites use the passage of their exam as a placement tool in their notary database searches. That is, "certified" agents get listed before "un-certified" ones.

Reply by Niki Ortiz Levy on 1/18/10 6:13pm
Msg #318465

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I have reviewed my friend's refinancing paperwork and it's very clearly marked where I need to sign. It also includes all of the notarial wording, thank goodness. I get to do my first thumb printing!

After this favor, if I feel like taking on any additional loan signing business, I'll be sure to purchase and study a signing agent manual.

Much appreciated!
Niki