Posted by EileenHI on 10/10/12 2:13pm
Msg #437941

Notary classes

I received a postcard in the mail from a company 'Notary Law Institute' offering classes here on the island at a cost of $89. We have no classes here, and to pass the test one has to just try to learn the manual. Even though I have been a notary in Hawaii for two years now, I am sometimes in need of some assistance with certain questions. We have no SOS, so everything is handled through the AG's office and the notary section is only available for phone calls in the morning. They usually do not get back to you for a while. So, I guess the question is, are the classes offered by this organization worth the money or would I be better off ignoring the class? I don't want to waste money or time on a group that does not offer anything really valuable.

Reply by MW/VA on 10/10/12 2:15pm
Msg #437943

I guess you'd need to research if they are a legit co. with something of value to offer.

Reply by Yoli/CA on 10/10/12 2:22pm
Msg #437949

Eileen:

Have you tried googling? I just googled "notary classes in Hawaii" and several items came up. You may want to do additional research.

JMHO

Reply by EileenHI on 10/10/12 2:29pm
Msg #437951

Thanks.... I haven't looked for classes in a long time, and when I was studying to be commissioned here after moving, there were no classes being offered within my time frame and none listed that I could find. I just wondered if anyone had taken any offered by this company.

Reply by JPH13/MO on 10/10/12 3:19pm
Msg #437968

I sent you a p/m. n/m

Reply by Treasure Valley Notary - Tina on 10/10/12 4:00pm
Msg #437974

We have a similar problem here in Idaho. I had myself and two employees take their course. It is very specific for notaries only. Just the basics. There is no "signing agent" info. Our class had mainly government workers in it (due to our area). It was scary. So many people doing notarial work and really not knowing what they are doing. Since they were trained by someone above them, then it was be gospel. The instructor had a lot of ground to "fix."

I would refer people to this organization. Always felt they were above board and helpful. At the time we took the class we also got a membership to the group. I believe it was a monthly newsletter, which was full of info. My office has long since let that membership go. Over time it was just an expense that we didn't utilize.

Best wishes to you!

Reply by Mobile Notary Services on 10/10/12 6:10pm
Msg #437986

I'm also located in HI and received their postcard in the mail. I'm on the fence on going, (one of the classes fall on a holiday), and I'm off that day, so it's a possibility I may go. I was just going to go to meet other notaries (possibly networking).
Let me know if you will go, and we can get the discounted rate vs full price.

Corinne

Reply by EileenHI on 10/11/12 1:29pm
Msg #438093

sent a p/m n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 10/10/12 7:01pm
Msg #437992

Does this co. have ties to NNA? n/m

Reply by BrendaTx on 10/10/12 9:00pm
Msg #438008

I would go to a class from this organization.

I use a lot of the founder's materials in articles that I write. In fact, I feel that Peter Van Alstyne is (or, was when he was avidly writing books) the voice of reason in a sea of hype and falling skies.

If one likes the xyz's thrilling marking techniques that suggest that fraud artists are lurking around every corner and that borrowers should be viewed with a jaded eye, Van Alstyne's teachings will probably be too sensible and boring.

At one time, PVA might have had ties with the xyz, but NLI is not related to the xyz to my knowledge.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 10/10/12 10:14pm
Msg #438022

I believe this is Peter's company in Utah, right? If it is, it's one of several well established national notary educational vendors...meaning that they pretty much train notaries in every state.

I don't think you could go wrong with taking his training course....it could only help. I think you have to consider the cost. If you were a brand new notary looking for training in Hawaii, I'd say it would probably be a great idea.

But now? It may be a toss up. You get a a lot of valuable information right here for free.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 10/10/12 10:44pm
Msg #438027

Eileen, I took their class in Alabama.

It was about five years ago. I would not recommend the notary class to anyone who already has a basic understanding of notary process and procedure. The material covered was very generic and not state specific. I felt what I learned in Alabama could apply to notaries in any state. Lucky for me, Alabama does not have an exam. Perhaps, just maybe, that's why the material was generic, but i don't think so. Time was set aside to purchase their notary supplies on site. In fact, I felt more attention and time was given to merchandising over education. I purchased one of his books and it contains helpful information. I still use one job aid that's been very useful. Did I learn anything new at the class? Maybe two facts. I purchased certificate stickers/labels that work really well on small forms. So....hopefully my comments will help you to arrive at your decision about what's best for you.