Posted by Jeff Ortler on 2/13/12 12:37pm
Msg #411618

What you dont understand about California BGC's

The California requirement for background checks for notaries is not all that everyone makes it out to be. Granted they send your scanned fingerprints to the FBI and DOJ but they are only looking for FELONY convictions. Contrary to the belief that the search includes misdemeanors involving financial crimes it DOES NOT! I have heard of instances where a notary was given a license after her state background check was completed and she had 4 misdemeanors convictions for check fraud. I'm not sure about you but I wouldnt want my loan documents in that persons hands.
If your background check does not include misdemeanor searches, it is not a complete search.

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 2/13/12 2:48pm
Msg #411627

at the risk of being beaten to death with alflafa sprouts...

I am not aware of the CA BGC procedures, nor those of any other state ( IL has no requirement)
I can, understand, however, why lenders/ TCs/SS, that require BGCs, for NSAs do not want to keep up with the everchanging, BGC proceedures of each state where they retain NSAs.
It is far more efficient for them to require a standarized BGC for each of their NSAs.That way they can show compliance with lender/TC requiremnts and the TC and lender can show that they are in compliance with Gram Leech Bailey.
Like it nor not , the XYZ BGC seems to have achieved that status. Too bad that it is so expensive and requires those who do not wish to deal with XYZ to have to do so. Hopefully , the NOTROT BGC will soon achieve the same universal acceptablility.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 2/13/12 2:58pm
Msg #411631

Re: at the risk of being beaten to death with alflafa sprouts...

One thing that might help the NotRot BGC achieve greater acceptance is if companies find more and more notaries presenting it as an option. I've resisted getting another one, since I just had to pay for the CA one to renew my commission, but I think I'm going to give in and order it - from this site, not the XYZ one.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 2/13/12 3:07pm
Msg #411635

Re: at the risk of being beaten to death with alflafa sprouts...

You know I have yet to be asked for a BGC. I do have one from a private company in order to get a license unrelated to this business, but if asked I might try that one.

At this point, I am uncertain if I will continue when my commission comes up for renewal late this year. Other things have come up. However, if I do, then the NR BCG will be the one I get.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 2/13/12 2:59pm
Msg #411632

Verrry interesting

BTW: it's commission; notaries aren't licensed.

In any case, CA notaries are required to disclose all misdemeanor convictions on their application; presumably she would have been turned down for a commission if she had revealed 4 convictions (assuming you're talking about a CA notary). Of course, she could have racked up all 4 convictions during her 4-year notary term so they would not have come to light. As far as what other background agencies look for, I don''t know if they include a search for misdeamenors or not.... if I had to bet, though, I'd bet not.

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 2/13/12 3:09pm
Msg #411636

He was referring to an unrelated business license. n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 2/13/12 3:58pm
Msg #411648

Re: Verrry interesting

"I don''t know if they include a search for misdeamenors or not"

That was the first question that popped into my mind, as well. I suspect that the others are no more comprehensive - and possibly less so - than what the state of California does to screen notaries. I have no facts to back that up and no intention of spending the time researching it; just my gut feeling...

Glenn, however, sounds like he knows what he's talking about in his post above. And I agree with his assessment about companies having the right to pick what they want - even if I don't agree with them. It's the new golden rule of modern times: "the ones with the gold make the rules..."

Reply by lucky/ca on 2/14/12 3:37pm
Msg #411744

Notary test time in California, where and who?

Hello all,

I heard that in California it is a good idea to take our notary test 6 months in advance of our commission expiring due to the backlog at the Sec State of CA.

I was trying to understand taking the class and test through Notary Rotary or taking it again through the NNA. I am a little confused on the Notary Rotary offer. The NNA offers the livescan finger prints as well as the photograph required at the time of the class and test.

Also I hear if it is a renewal you take a short class vs the 6 hour class. Is that true?

Anyone have any recommendations for the San Francisco Bay Area for a renewal commission.

Thank you.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 2/13/12 3:02pm
Msg #411633

Not entirely true. If the misdemeanor was entered into AFIS or NCIC data base by the local court where the misdemeanor was recorded, it will show on the California background check. If you have a local court where they are behind in entering the data, or the crime was committed in a small county that sometimes doesn't bother, then it won't show up on any background check, including "the big notary organization's". I know of circumstances where felony convictions did not show up on "the big notary organization's" BCG either. Nothing is perfect.

That being said, the people that pay us the money, make the rules unless we don't want to work for them. And if they want a BCG from a certain place, well then we do have a decision to make, don't we?