Posted by Patti Corcoran on 7/27/10 5:11pm
Msg #346472

copy of ID to sent back with docs

Recently I have had some BofA signings that state "A copy of the borrowers ID is mandatory".

OK, but that arrives with the docs (and you know that BofA docs are usually last minute). It has never been mentioned in the confirmation, the borrower has not been advised ahead of time and I am due there in 15 minutes. For all of you who say "no problem, I just take a pic with my phone" I say "at what point do we stop adding more to our plates just because someone on the other end didn't advise the borrowers?

Reply by Roger_OH on 7/27/10 5:16pm
Msg #346473

ID copies are more the rule than the exception, so figure the company wants them unless they tell you otherwise.

It's often on your confirmation; if not, ask your hiring party.

Reply by Erwin/CA on 7/27/10 5:21pm
Msg #346474

I ask every borrower for a copy of their id to be sent in with the docs. I ask them when I call to confirm their address, date, and time of the signing. I send it in even if not asked. Nearly all of the signings I do request it.
Erwin

Reply by A S Johnson on 7/27/10 5:35pm
Msg #346475

Think, we are dealing with a banking transaction. A copy of the id is required by several government agencies.

Reply by Linda Juenger on 7/27/10 5:44pm
Msg #346478

Don't know how long you have been doing signings, but its pretty much a "given" that an ID is required to be sent back with docs. By always, always asking the borrowers in your spiel when you confirm will save a lot of hassles. It is just easier to be prepared to take a pic someway, somehow if they don't have them ready. I got tired of running around looking for a copy machine at gas stations etc etc. I now take my digital camera and my magic wand with me all the time. Ist it our job, probably not, but its a service we should provide since we are there with the borrowers anyway.

Reply by Grammyzoom on 7/27/10 5:52pm
Msg #346480

I agree with Erwin. I ask every borrower for a copy of their ID when I confirm the signing appointment. I also ask if they have the means to make a copy for me and if they don't and I know they will have to go somewhere out of their home to make copies I let them know that I have my little scanner and can make the copies for them. They are always appreciative, especially the elderly.

By the way, there is a form in a lot of the documents that crack me up. It is the one that states that due to the Patriot Act it is now necessary for people to have proper ID when opening up any kind of bank account. WHEN DID WE NOT HAVE TO SHOW ID unless you live in a town of 300 people and everyone knows everyone else. And how about the one that lets people know that if they don't make their mortgage payments the lender MAY report their delinquency to a credit agency.

The next thing we know there will be documents which let the borrowers know that they are not allowed to shoot their neighbors dog should it bark too loud or how about one that states they understand they must place their garbage into a trash can and not on the ground.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 7/27/10 6:02pm
Msg #346482

My favorites are in the FHA refi paperwork

That FHA does not warrant the property and the borrowers accept the property in it's "as is" condition; the other one that the borrower understands that no termite inspection was done and they hold the FHA harmless from any claims yada yada; the Septic Hold Harmless...and on and on..

Called no review of pertinent documents...just press a button and print 'em all!!

Reply by jba/fl on 7/27/10 7:19pm
Msg #346505

Part of my spiel:
Here is my favorite tree waster of all time: If you do not make your payments on time, you may be reported to the credit bureaus.

Usual response: OMG followed by laughter (at the stupidity of it all)

But, that trash can thing - I can understand that coming about.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 7/27/10 5:47pm
Msg #346479

I do the same as others during my introductory phone call

SOP - I tell them I need a copy of their DL and make sure they can provide it - if they can't I know I need to throw my portable copier in the car.

It's true - Copy of ID is more the rule than the exception.

Reply by bob/IA on 7/27/10 6:00pm
Msg #346481

Re: I do the same as others during my introductory phone call

Unless the instructions specifically state not to send copies of ID I send a copy back with the docs.

Reply by Scriba/NM on 7/27/10 6:02pm
Msg #346483

I do BofA signings directly for BofA and they do not request a copy of the borrower's ID. Instead, they rely on the Notary Certification/ID Verification form wherein, you enter the data from their drivers license. That coupled with the Borrower's ID certificate fills the bill for BofA.

Some signing companies, and some small title companies. however, actually do request copies of ID on BofA signings, so, as has previously been mentioned, I just always ask for a copy of the ID, regardless of the situation. It just saves time.

But, where I live, people seem to either have brain freeze or can't remember one day from the next that I need a copy of their ID. So cure that problem, I bought a inexpensive HP Scanner from Office Max (a "sale" item) and placed it in the rear of my SUV. I bought an inexpensive inverter and presto, I have a mobile scanner, which I can scan any document with, not just ID's. It comes in very handy. For less than $150 I have this capability and at the end of the year it's tax deductible. I do a lot of signings, and it's paid for itself in time saved.

Reply by Teresa Kutz on 7/27/10 6:28pm
Msg #346489

Re: Ditto!!! n/m

Reply by anotaryinva on 7/27/10 6:07pm
Msg #346484

Well, what I usually do is

When the hiring party wants a photo copy of the bo's id, I always mention it in the confirmation phone call.
When the confirmation call is made 30 minutes before the appt, I tell them that yes, the lo, the tc, the lender, who(m)ever needs a photocopy and that it's okay if they don't have it but they will have to provide it via fax, email, or what-ever-mail they decide before the loan will close. For the loans where they want TWO photocopies of id's are the one's that really get me. One time some lady spent 45 minutes looking for her passport....never again....I just say, you can deal with this tomorrow. Their time, not mine.

Reply by JanetLA on 7/27/10 6:21pm
Msg #346486

For those of you with iphones

there is a really cool app called JotNot Pro that is a camera/scanner for 99 cents. It takes pictures of docs or ids and you can email them directly from your phone. It is much easier than a camera phone and simple to use. Just another thought. I have a Honda Accord and don't have as much room as an SUV for portable printers, etc.

Reply by SheilaSJCA on 7/27/10 6:24pm
Msg #346487

not the norm at all for me

I have been doing closings since 2005. I do not ask for copies of ID, unless it is requested. I will ask or check the confirmation.
I would say in my experience, for the first couple of years I was doing closings, it was the norm, get copies of ID, usually by the SS. In recent years the requests have dwindled to only occasionally being the asked for. Not sure what changed, but it has at least here for me.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 7/27/10 6:25pm
Msg #346488

Re: Well, what I usually do is

Oh yeah, I LOVE those instructions that come WITH THE DOCS that require copies of TWO forms of ID. I try to make note of which companies require that so I know to ask for it on the confirm call the next time. Those instructions really should be on the initial order confirmation...

Like everyone else, I always ask for copies of ID on the confirm call. It's just easier that way. I also specifically ask the borrowers to "make a copy ahead of time and have it ready for me" and probably about 95% of the time they do. Don't you just want to wring their neck when they have to go turn on their computer and spend 5 minutes making a copy when you're already there?!?!?!?!?

And then there was the guy who left his ID on the copy machine at work...

Reply by Hugh Nations Signing Agents of Austin on 7/27/10 6:32pm
Msg #346491

Confirmation phone call

1. My name is XXXX, my phone numbers are XXXXXXX. You can call either one of those numbers up to 10 pm. any night of the week.

2. I will need to take a copy of your DL with me, and that's important. If it's not in the packet, it may delay funding on your loan (this won't happen, but it does let the B know it's important). The license needs to be current.

3. The closing will take about an hour, or up to an hour and a half if you have questions (Texas closings are a b!tch).

4. We'll be shuffling about 150 pages of documents between us, so we're going to need some working space, something like a dining table that's been cleared off (this takes care of the little old lady whose dining table is covered with knic-knacks).

5. You and your spouse (if applicable) need to be present.

5 alternate. You are listed as single. You are divorced, widowed or never married, and you are not just separated at present; is that correct?

Reply by Susan Fischer on 7/28/10 2:12am
Msg #346546

5 Star Post. This should be added to the

Famous Message. [I'd do it, but don't know how.]

Reply by BrendaTx on 7/27/10 6:31pm
Msg #346490

Patti asks...

"For all of you who say "no problem, I just take a pic with my phone" I say "at what point do we stop adding more to our plates just because someone on the other end didn't advise the borrowers?"

The camera/picture thing is easy and controls the problem. I agree that a line must be drawn, but the fee issue --if handled right--would cover a multitude of sins. If you are getting paid enough, you don't mind being a true mobile agent and willing to take a picture of that driver's license.

It has always been my desire to do everything in the field that is done in the title co. closing room...as long as I get paid for it. You want a full package faxed back? No problem, but there is a fee for that time involved. However, I'll throw in that digital image of the driver's license for free...I would not have been there if the price wasn't right.

Reply by LKT/CA on 7/27/10 7:04pm
Msg #346500

Like all the others, I always get a copy of borrower's ID. I have a lightweight copier I take with me to signings and leave in the car until needed.

A better reason to include a copy of borrowers ID: If TC/Lender/whomever complains about the way the borrower signed....they have an ID copy to compare. This is especially important if the borrower's signature is "printed" as was the case in a recent signing appt I had. "Printed" signature was exactly the same as driver's license.

Otherwise, TC/Lender/whomever may want the docs re-signed on Notary's dime....Notary says "no can do for free", thus a bridge may unnecessarily get burned between a Notary and a good paying TC/Lender/whomever.

Even when you ask the borrower to have it ahead of time, they still may not so I suggest that you invest in the equipment necessary to ensure that you get borrower's ID copy each and every time.

Reply by Patti Corcoran on 7/27/10 7:20pm
Msg #346506

Re: Thanks N/M

Lots of great advice! I;m always impressed by you all's professionalism!

Reply by Erwin/CA on 7/27/10 7:34pm
Msg #346508

How about the form in B of As docs informing them that the taxes on New Construction might go up in future years. It's in refi packages even for very old homes.
Erwin

Reply by MikeC/NY on 7/27/10 7:49pm
Msg #346513

It's only an issue if you choose to make it so....

As others have said, it's a fair expectation that this will be required. I don't think it's unreasonable to tell the BO "I'll need copies of your IDs" when you make the confirmation call - if you don't actually need them, you can either either hand them back or shred them, no drama required.

My experience was that most BOs had a fax machine or something that could make a copy, and for those who didn't I had a Canon PC-170 copier in the trunk of my car. I've never been a fan of using a digital camera or a phone camera to capture the image of an ID, because who knows where that image may eventually end up? And I certainly didn't want their ID document on my camera/phone...

As far as "at what point do we stop adding more to our plates just because someone on the other end didn't advise the borrowers?" is concerned, all I can say is that you should pick your battles carefully. You can address this one easily by being proactive and assuming the copies will be required. Save your anger for when the TC suddenly wants copies of EVERYTHING faxed back...

Reply by MT/IL on 7/27/10 10:20pm
Msg #346530

I always request copy of Driver's License when I confirm appt. I also specify that if their license is expired on the front and they have a 4 year extension sticker on the back that I need a copy of front and back. I also advise that I need to see original at closing. While we are on making copies of ID's, is it legal to make a copy of the ID for the Notary's records (just in case something happened down the road and you can fall back on the picture.) (Notary Journals not required in state).

Reply by MikeC/NY on 7/28/10 2:08pm
Msg #346621

"While we are on making copies of ID's, is it legal to make a copy of the ID for the Notary's records"

Whether or not it's legal depends on your state law. Even if it is legal, I personally don't think it's a good idea to keep a copy of someone's ID.