Posted by Kaneka Burns on 8/17/13 7:43pm
Msg #480840

Advice for a Beginner??

Hi. I am brand spanking new to this notary thing and would love any advice that you all have to give. Just as an FYI, I am in Tennessee. How does notaryrotary work exactly? Thanks in advance!

Reply by MW/VA on 8/17/13 8:47pm
Msg #480845

You might want to start by reading the "Rules &

Guidelines" at the top of the page. That should give you a fair idea of how the forum works. Then I suggest you read, read, read--follow posts to gain knowledge & use the orange search button to research particular questions. We usually refer newbies to msg. 33325. It goes back a way, but covers most of what it takes to be in this biz.
The signing agent biz is in a downturn currently due to interest rates, but I wish you luck on getting started.

Reply by Kaneka Burns on 8/17/13 9:47pm
Msg #480848

Re: You might want to start by reading the "Rules &

Thanks!

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/17/13 9:13pm
Msg #480847

Make sure you familiarize yourself with Tennessee notary laws.

And most of us don't consider it a "notary thing". Being a notary is a serious undertaking, other than one it is the oldest profession, which can be traced back to the ancient Roman Republic before Cicero.

Reply by Kaneka Burns on 8/17/13 9:52pm
Msg #480849

Sylvia,

Thanks for replying. Please don't take offense to my phrasing "notary thing". I certainly understand the seriousness of it and am well aware of the longevity of the service. Again, thanks for the reply.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/18/13 9:22am
Msg #480887

You are welcome Kaneka

The best advice really is to study Tennessee notary laws, to notarize properly you have to know your notary laws backwards and forwards. As you will have noticed NotaryRotary has members from all over the USA, and what you have to remember is each state has different notary laws, so what may be OK in one state will not be OK in another state. if you are really up on Tennessee notary laws you can't go far wrong when notarizing.

Reply by LKT/CA on 8/17/13 9:54pm
Msg #480850

Thank you, Sylvia

The OP's "notary thing" description got my attention too - and not in a good way.

Reply by RIcloser on 8/17/13 10:18pm
Msg #480851

Re: Thank you, Sylvia

"Notary thing"? OMG! God bless!

Reply by rolomia on 8/18/13 5:39am
Msg #480870

Sylvia_FL: "...other than one it is the oldest profession"?

That's curiously funny, since popular culture has long referred to another trade-craft as being the world's oldest profession. The roles may seem similar, though: we sell our services out to the highest bidder. We perform a "specialized" service for which we receive a "negotiated" fee.

Our so-called "oldest" profession sometimes leaves us feeling cheap (b/c we're paid so little) and dirty (b/c the BO's smoke or their homes are filthy (cat urine, anyone?!). [I need a shower].

And, we usually get little to no respect from a number of BO's, TC's & SS's. Iwonder if comic legend Rodney Dangerfield was a notary public?. To be sure, he was in the "public" eye.

Extending the analogy, some newbies may feel like their being pimped by the one-star SS's, and said SS owners/managers may be pimping their rides on the newbies dime, when they don't pay them. I'm glad my name isn't John. JMHO

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/18/13 9:18am
Msg #480886

Re: Sylvia_FL: "...other than one it is the oldest profession"?

The other one is mentioned in the Bible - the King James Version uses the word "harlot"

Joshua 2:1
And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

Reply by PA_Notary_II on 8/19/13 12:36pm
Msg #480996

The oldest profession....

if you think about it ladies, is salesman(woman). There must be an agreement between a buyer and seller before money and goods are exchanged. So the oldest profession is S A L E S !

Reply by rolomia on 8/19/13 1:13pm
Msg #481001

Re: The oldest profession....

PA_Notary_II: your reply is a clever analysis. I like it. I just wish I was good at sales, though. If I were, I'd already be a millionaire, or better. Sadly, I hate rejection. But, more than that, I hate being threatened by receptionists who threaten to call the police b/c they said that soliciting is not allowed. And, if I return, I will be charged with trespassing. All b/c I politely ask if they might have need of my services as a notary public or a notary signing agent. : ( JMHO

Reply by chucke/fl on 8/17/13 10:28pm
Msg #480852

Kaneka, you did not say what got you interested in this business, but if you were advised you could make some good money that ship has sailed. The signing agent climate now is not very good, with rates rising. Some of us who have been in business for a while are going days or weeks without calls. Not trying to paint a picture of doom, but before you invest a lot of money for the things you need just to get the job done, rethink it.

Reply by loancloser46 on 8/17/13 11:06pm
Msg #480854

been in the biz since 2004, have never seen it this slow....

going to be very tough for a newbie right now. This "notary thing" (ughhh) is actually a business where only seasoned professionals with a good book of business can ride out this type of slowing market conditions. I would find something else for my brand spanking new self to do.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 8/18/13 12:21am
Msg #480858

Re: been in the biz since 2004, have never seen it this slow....

I kinda read right over the "notary thing" at first. Consider the source, I thought: yet another clueless newbie. But since many of you picked up on it, I'm reminded of countless other newbie posts of similar attitude, and I wonder if there were forums for other occupations would newbies post:

Hi, I'm new to this brain surgery thing. Any tips?

Nobody would ever do that. I think it must be the nature of notarydom that attracts people who somehow got the impression this is a slam dunk way to make money with little or no training, education, effort or knowledge, and all they have to do is hop on the gravy train, and it's one big party for all. Most people have the employer/employee mentality, so a field where you run your own business is enticing. You don't need a brick and mortar place where people come to you; you don't need inventory; you're not subject to endless government regulations, etc. So, it attracts people who think it's a breeze and who are clueless what it's about. And they bring that kick back attitude with them, which we, of course, see as totally disrespectful to what notaries do and their evolving function in society.

Actually, the thing that offended me about the OP was that she/he couldn't even be bothered to take the time to explore NR to discover what it was all about, instead asking, "How does NR work exactly." You know the mentality: hand everything over on a silver platter. As well as the usual attitude of entitlement where a newbie thinks all they have to do is ask "What do I do?" and the riches will start pouring in. It's that arrogance that drives me nuts. Of course, they think they're asking perfectly sensible questions and deserve perfectly polite responses and can't understand how they night have offended someone. Therein lies the conflict.

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/18/13 12:40am
Msg #480860

have never seen it this slow....except before I ????

It's so slow, I think I'll look into "this can and bottle recycling thing"!

Reply by linda/ca on 8/18/13 2:11am
Msg #480865

GOLDGIRL: I completely agree with you..great post/insight! n/m

Reply by Christine/OK on 8/18/13 4:59am
Msg #480868

GOLDGIRL: Yes, "Like" your post immensely. Sagacious n/m

Reply by rolomia on 8/18/13 5:44am
Msg #480871

Here, here! n/m

Reply by 101livescan on 8/18/13 8:53am
Msg #480883

Will work for food. Need gas. Homeless...need help!

Every food market and freeway exit in town is populated by these forlorn looking citizens who hold cardboard signs that fold for compactness and can be tucked in the back of jeans at the end of the work day.

I've never witnessed a more carefree, easy way to make a living in this country. I've been thinking of this is a career myself. I would need a new work uniform, and my personal grooming would need some work, but I think I could manage the destitute look on my face and really get into my character and role by making people feel good about giving me $$ after they come out of Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Ralphs, Vons, etc. and making my day with lose change, or even some green bills.

And, it's not brain surgery. You can get into this with no education, no training, really. Just develop the demeanor for panhandling, which by the way, is discouraged by our city fathers since we have so many homeless facilities in Santa Barbara, that is seems to be a mecca for homelessness. People coming here from all other the planet because they've heard about our fabulous year round weather.

No taxes, no insurance, no overhead (cardboard is free), and you don't need a car, because your team leader will come by and pick you up in their brand new Honda accord at the end of the shift, or you get on your Diamondback bicycle that you've hidden behind the bushes.


I just expended $500 to renew my notary commission, bond and E&O, seals, etc. for the next four years. I still need to update my business cards, business license, and other little details that renewing a commission entails.

As a panhandler earning cash and paying no taxes, I'd be on easy street. Unfortunately, I could not do this in this town, because I think I've signed just about everyone here that has refi'd or purchased property over the last 13 years! It would be a little embarrassing!

Reply by ikando on 8/18/13 9:26am
Msg #480888

Re: Will work for food. Need gas. Homeless...need help!

Cheryl,

A local news story told that many panhandlers are receiving tens of thousands of dollars a year for standing on the side of the road. Considering they usually don't "work" in bad weather, that's impressive. That news story cautioned people to not give, but this area spawns givers, so the cardboard solicitors continue.

Reply by LKT/CA on 8/18/13 5:49pm
Msg #480935

Add panhandling to your income stream

There was a story of a pastor who saw a panhandler with the typical "will work for food" sign and offered the guy a job cleaning the church for $10 an hour and the guy told the pastor, "NO, I make $40 an hour just standing at the freeway offramp...why would I take your ten bucks an hour and have to actually do something?"

I see homeless folks looking disheveled....then a few weeks later, still pandhandling at the same spot, they're looking less and less disheveled, then I see them with new clothes and fresh hair cuts. Maybe I should think about adding panhandling to my list of income streams...yeah?!?!?

Reply by MW/VA on 8/18/13 10:10am
Msg #480891

This is OT, but I've seen many of those panhandlers in my

area. I've learned to ignore them, because they are so obvious--carry the exact same type of signs, etc. What's most disconcerting is that it's most young people--college age. I've had hard times in my life, but wouldn't ever dream of standing out on a corner with a sign.

Reply by Kaneka Burns on 8/18/13 6:52am
Msg #480878

Your points are very well taken. Again, I apologize for the terminology used. It was not my intention to offend anyone. I just wanted any advice on getting started since a friend of mine said this was a great site. Although my post clearly didn’t show it, I am not some uneducated, uncouth person who drew straws in my decision making. I have my MBA. I have worked in financial lending for 9 years. I am trying to expand my knowledge and experience since these two fields interrelated.

Reply by rolomia on 8/18/13 7:13am
Msg #480879

Kaneka Burns of TN: Wekcome to NotRot. I'm glad you're here.

This is a great and helpful forum. Though some replies may seem direct, they are well-intentioned. Please continue sharing. Good luck.

Reply by Kaneka Burns on 8/18/13 2:14pm
Msg #480911

Re: Kaneka Burns of TN: Wekcome to NotRot. I'm glad you're here.

Thanks!

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/18/13 8:23am
Msg #480881

Kaneka
You say you have worked in financial lending? Are you still a branch manager at Advance America payday loans?

Reply by MW/VA on 8/18/13 10:14am
Msg #480892

Isn't this an invasion of her privacy? I don't understand

why everyone feels they need to investigate everyone new who posts here.;-(
Kaneka has been polite & direct. She hasn't said anything offensive, IMO.
This forum is open to everyone. It is not an exclusive club.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/18/13 10:26am
Msg #480893

No...IMO you post on a public forum you have no

privacy.

And how many times have we seen people post here who turn out to be SS trolls. Sorry, I think we have a right to know who we're talking to.

Personally, if I had my way, NOBODY would be able to post without their profile being automatically linked. None of this "behind the scenes" stuff. If you have the brass to say it, have the brass to show the "face" behind the statements. And I feel that way not only here but in life too.

JMHO

Reply by John Tennant on 8/18/13 10:31am
Msg #480894

Re: No...IMO you post on a public forum you have no

I agree 100% Linda. To hide behind an alias, to me, shows a refusal to take responsibility for anything.

JMHO

Reply by MW/VA on 8/18/13 11:00am
Msg #480895

Maybe next we'll require anyone who posts here to have a

bgc? The forum allows people to post without linking their personal info. I am NOT a fan of the witch-hunts.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/18/13 11:21am
Msg #480897

Re: Maybe next we'll require anyone who posts here to have a

Seriously???

Reply by John Tennant on 8/18/13 1:53pm
Msg #480908

Linking to your profile is to business info, not personal. n/m

Reply by Belinda/CA on 8/18/13 1:58pm
Msg #480910

Here, here, John. n/m

Reply by Belinda/CA on 8/18/13 11:34pm
Msg #480962

My 'here, here, John' comment needs deleted... n/m

Reply by Belinda/CA on 8/18/13 11:37pm
Msg #480963

My 'here, here, John' comment needs deleted...

I thought you were saying something else. I do not agree with your comment.
You said, "To hide behind an alias, to me, shows a refusal to take responsibility for anything."
This is a narrow minded outlook. See examples below.

Reply by jba/fl on 8/19/13 8:20am
Msg #480974

Now I don't agree with you, Belinda/CA.

Blithely tossing off comments by unknown people should be taken with the same measure of blitheness.

Reply by Carolyn Bodley on 8/18/13 3:29pm
Msg #480922

Re: Linking to your profile is to business info, not personal.

I would see that posting someone's information as to where they work and their job title is pretty personal -- especially, when they weren't even the one that did the posting!

Reply by Carolyn Bodley on 8/18/13 3:25pm
Msg #480919

She posted with her full name -- how is that an alias? n/m

Reply by Carolyn Bodley on 8/18/13 3:28pm
Msg #480920

Re: She posted with her full name -- how is that an alias?

she is not hiding behind an alias. Additionally, there is no reason she needs to link. Why should she?--if it is easier enough to find information as to where she works without linking? I agree that it was uncalled for.

Reply by Belinda/CA on 8/18/13 11:30pm
Msg #480959

You are wrong on this one John. n/m

Reply by Belinda/CA on 8/18/13 11:31pm
Msg #480961

You are wrong on this one John. n/m

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/18/13 11:49am
Msg #480899

Re: No...IMO you post on a public forum you have no

I like to know who I am talking to, before I give out any advice. As Linda said there have been too many trolls.
I meant no disrespect to Kaneka at all.

The only reason I don't link my profile is even though I have told TC's and SS's that I no longer do signings I was still getting calls from my profile on here, so now I have my profile hidden and don't link. And the majority of members who have been here a long time know who I am and how to get in touch with me if needed.

Reply by Buddy Young on 8/18/13 1:17pm
Msg #480903

Re: No...IMO you post on a public forum you have no

I agree Linda, if you have the guts to post you should have the guts to show your face.

Reply by Belinda/CA on 8/18/13 1:56pm
Msg #480909

You miss the mark on reason people do not link -

I like to know who I am talking to only to the point of knowing if they are an SS or not. Other than that, it does not matter to me. Profiles do not reveal if someone works for an SS anyway. If the profile is a springboard to further investigation that will not necessarily lead you to their employer either.

As far as not linking a post to a profile. Really?
How many times in life have you come to a conclusion only to find out there was another angle, another valid viewpoint, an opposing opinion that is just as valid as your concrete conclusion? That comes with maturity. (Don't get all excited. I am not calling you immature.) Life experience teaches us this. Be careful you do not erect your standard on a hill of sand and lead others to do the same.

The fact is, you are right about some hiding behind anonymity and you are definitely wrong about others.

Hum, what other reason could there be? According to you there is no other possible reason than they are lurking in the dark with no spine.
I for one do not link to my profile because I got worn out from new notaries contacting me to mentor them. From all over the country. It was happening weekly. Texts, phone calls, emails. I got tired of letting them down gently. I am busy. I do not have time to explain to new notaries why I am not handing them the ingredients to a successful secret recipe. I do not know what it is about my posts, my website, or my profile that invites this. Maybe it is my adorable little face. I have more than my share of brass and moxy and can go toe to toe with just about any of you. I am entitled to my limited privacy.

Just wanted to point out that people not linking their profile are not necessarily hiding and spineless. We are not trolls or goblins out to get you or to keep an ss from being scored. We don’t need the board thinking this way too! It does not set well with me when people are lead to think one way and there are other truths to consider.

Kaneka, you never know what a post will spark, do you? :o)

Reply by MW/VA on 8/18/13 7:19pm
Msg #480941

Especially for someone who is new & asking how the forum

works. Then some go off on a tangent about not linking, as if this person has any idea what they're talking about. Not one of them explained about completing a profile & linking their name on the forum.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/18/13 9:57pm
Msg #480953

Re: You miss the mark on reason people do not link -

Excellent points, Belinda! I also don't get what the big deal is about getting someone's personal info. Most of what I know about the majority of the people who frequent this forum has been gleaned from their posts, not from their profiles. People can put anything they want in a profile, but what you write can be a window into your thinking, attitudes, knowledge, character, etc.

I dislike trolls as much as anyone else and I have no problem if someone wants to "out" someone who is creating havoc or being a nuisance here. But like Belinda, I agree that there could be other perfectly valid reasons for someone wanting to maintain some anonymity on these boards. And the better the reason for it, the less likely it's something that they care to disclose - or can disclose without personal risk or potential harm. (And I'm assuming the reasons are unrelated to intending harm to someone else.)

For all we know, someone could be the victim of a stalker. Someone will undoubtedly then say they shouldn't be in this business - but who are we to judge? It's also possible that someone wants to share some info that could be useful to others but that they would rather not have connected to them because they're concerned about retribution or backlash.

Or it could be something as simple as wanting to get an idea of how many views their profile is getting from this site from people who might be actual potential clients. That was the main reason I was an unlinked poster for many years myself. I finally gave up on that because I decided that being unlinked might help my business more. But that was my decision. Once I unlinked, the views went off the charts, so that info became absolutely useless to me.

I'm sure if we tried, we could come up with other reasons, too.

Reply by LKT/CA on 8/18/13 2:58pm
Msg #480917

I agree LindaH n/m

Reply by Bear900/CA on 8/18/13 11:29pm
Msg #480958

I am scarred and disfigured. n/m

Reply by Kaneka Burns on 8/18/13 2:35pm
Msg #480913

Thanks n/m

Reply by Henry Zuniga on 8/19/13 3:54pm
Msg #481031

Question for Texas Notaries

Hi, I just sign in to offer my service as a Notary in Texas, how is the Business thru this site ,??

thank you in adavence for your help.

Reply by Kaneka Burns on 8/18/13 2:34pm
Msg #480912

Sylvia,
Actually, I am still with AA. It is so kind of you to ask. I have been with the company for almost 10 years now. I am a Divisional Training Manager there. Although AA has been extremely good for and to me, that is not all of the experience that I have. I have 3 years of tax experience. I also have had the pleasure of working with other financial companies while taking classes.

In regards to linking my profile, please understand that I just joined notaryrotary yesterday. To be more precise, it was approximately 10-15 minutes before I posted my now infamous post that I had no idea would be a problem (Again, accept my sincerest apologies). I have a full time career which I enjoy, not to mention the youth ministry that I direct. So I apologize if my not linking a profile insinuated in some manner that I was not on the up and up. That is simply not the case.

I became a notary to gain more experience and knowledge. Currently, I am not seeking this as a full time profession.

Reply by Belinda/CA on 8/18/13 2:56pm
Msg #480916

Don't apologize! Your post was fine. Welcome.

Read my post a few lines up... "you miss the mark on reasons why people do not link." You have no reason to link to your profile if you don't feel like it. Don't let people on this board judge you or push you around. It is a great forum.

Reply by Kaneka Burns on 8/18/13 4:09pm
Msg #480925

Thanks Belinda! n/m

Reply by desktopfull on 8/18/13 5:05pm
Msg #480930

No reason to apologize for not linking, many of us don't.

As is our right! Please check your private message box on the home page. Welcome and good luck!

Reply by nekab on 8/18/13 9:10pm
Msg #480951

Thanks for the welcome! n/m

Reply by 101livescan on 8/18/13 8:36am
Msg #480882

Kanek a, I've been a notary for 40 years on September 1, 2013. I have just renewed my commission for another 4 year term. My goal is 13 terms. You could say I'm a career notary. There are many long standing notaries on this forum, it is a duty we all take very seriously or we would not be doing it. Many suggestions have been made before mine, so I won't be redundant here.

I would say for any newcomer in the loan signing business that the field has changed 1000% from what it started out to be over 13 years ago. Only the most knowledgeable, professional and focused notaries will succeed largely from now on due to economic conditions since 2008 that have affected our business models, especially the preponderance of signing companies out there who are garnering more than half the notary signing fees, and then disappearing from the landscape over night.

Our fees and our profession have been exploited. It's not the business it was when I started out full time doing this in 2001.

Read, read, read. Use the orange search button for specific topics you're wondering about, and perhaps find a mentor in your area to learn from.

Best wishes, have a great day, and if you're going to hang out your notary shingle, know your stuff.

Reply by Kaneka Burns on 8/18/13 2:38pm
Msg #480914

Thank you! n/m

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 8/21/13 4:30pm
Msg #481459

40 years??? Congrats! n/m

Reply by Malbrough_LA on 8/18/13 9:52am
Msg #480889

This is why I am all for notary commissions being harder to

get. I'm not proposing that they be as hard as it is in Louisiana where you have to pass a civil bar examination where they try to fail everyone. (Had I not had a legal background and passion for large legal tomes, I'd have never passed). However, at least once a week I have someone come into my office and tell me they're going to take the notary exam this sitting. They then inquire what they need to study (this is a pretty sure sign they're not going to pass otherwise they'd have done this research already). I show them my filled bookcase to which they reply, "I need to read all that just to sign my name and make money like you?!" "No, of course you don't have to. In fact, you're not required to do anything, but I can guarantee you won't pass. With that said, you should order the study guide and Civil Code which is all you really need. The other books explain what's in those books and are for research. You can get in w/ about 5000 pages or so at a bare minimum to be functional and dangerous at this profession in Louisiana." They all think I'm trying to frighten them. I'm not; it's an honest statement.

Perhaps if more states treated the examination as rigorously as Louisiana does, the "newbies" wouldn't have these sorts of questions? Quit giving out commissions for $10-100 to someone with a pulse, problem solved? I honestly don't know, but it's food for thought. At any rate, "this brain surgery thing" certainly gave me my chuckle for the day and hits the nail right on the head.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/18/13 11:42am
Msg #480898

Re: This is why I am all for notary commissions being harder to

Ah but Ryan, you are in a different "class" in Louisiana. You have more responsibilities. You are civil law notaries. I could never become a notary in Louisiana. I am in awe of you guys (and gals)

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/18/13 11:53am
Msg #480900

Me too Sylvia - I admire them

and I agree with Ryan...I think there should be stricter education and testing requirements for notaries - CA excluded. Some states all you need is a pulse; others all you need to be able to do is read a book and look for the answer. And considering how notaries are branching out with their commissions and increasing their income stream on the weight of that commission, I think education and testing should really be more intense.

JMHO

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/18/13 12:01pm
Msg #480901

Re: Me too Sylvia - I admire them

I wish they required live classes for the notary education in Florida instead of being able to do it online.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 8/18/13 1:43pm
Msg #480906

Re: Me too Sylvia - I admire them

Syvlia - I don't consider myself an expert by any means, but I do believe I pretty much know what I'm doing as a CA notary, and I have never taken a live class required for a commission. (that said I'm always open to learning new stuf ... well, sort of!)

I did take a live basic notary class before education was required by the state .. but I did that cos I heard she had great free doughnuts. Sure enuff, she did .. but the rest of the time she spent shilling unnecessary riff-raff items she had created in hopes that gullible newbies would fatten her wallet even more. And I recal,l it was the most chaotic class I'd even been in.... she was not a talented teacher. I've also heard horror stories about the NNA, which has a stranglehold here in CA, doing the same thing ... selling through threat and intimidation all their unnecessary crappola. Additionally, I hear the NNA teachers sort of make up notary law as they go along. And I don't think many of these people are trained as teachers, thus reducing their effectiveness ... they're just talking heads (with great doughnuts). So, I don't think mandatory live classes would change things much, IMO.

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/18/13 3:13pm
Msg #480918

Re: Me too Sylvia - I admire them and more.

I do better in a live training session ( through the Univ of Phoenix I taught union members how to complete various training for job upgrades - over 1,000), the proper delivery of the material equals understanding

. The live training I received from the XYZ instructors confirmed that people charged with teaching "others" didn't even know what they were talking about. However, even THAT is better then the training some notaries are getting from some of the 179 vendors we have in Calif. How can ANYBODY claiming to have been trained not know the difference between an Acknowledgement and a Jurat???

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/18/13 3:34pm
Msg #480923

Re: Me too Sylvia - I admire them and more.

I taught live classes, am a certified notary instructor, but then everyone started the online classes.
I never thought the three hour classes were enough though.
I know a lot of new notaries just downloaded the Governor's handbook for notaries, and when answering the questions in the online test just looked up the answer to the particular question instead of studying first.

James, there are many who do not know the difference between an acknowledgment or a jurat. Many who do not know notary laws and think that being a notary is just putting a "stamp" on a document. (I've met some of them when I was doing signings - borrower would tell me he/she was a notary, one even showed me her commission certificate, and told me how she only notarized for friends and family, and she only put her stamp on the "letters")

Reply by Notarysigner on 8/18/13 3:56pm
Msg #480924

Re: Me too Sylvia - I admire them and more.

I believe you. Here where I am, notaries will charge fifty dollars to "notarize" late payment on a parking ticket.
WHAT ???????

Reply by LKT/CA on 8/18/13 5:59pm
Msg #480936

I think someone said fees are rising

I think Marian said something about the fees rising to file the bond and take the oath. My very first commission it cost me $48 to file my bond and take the oath. This 2nd commission it cost me $86. When I renew in 2015, it may double to $172. Hopefully, the higher fees will eliminate the hobbyists.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/18/13 7:23pm
Msg #480943

Re: I think someone said fees are rising

Florida state fee is $39 and the cost of bond depends on who you go through to apply for a commission or renew. I went through Budget Notary last year when I renewed and the total cost was $69.51 which included the seal.

Reply by Stephanie Santiago on 8/21/13 4:24pm
Msg #481456

CA has required training and an exam; I don't mind saying

that the test can be difficult.
I've been a Notary since September, 2000.
Each time I have taken the exam to renew my commission, I second guess the responses I chose, even though I had completed a 6-hour live training course.
If one passes the Notary Public Exam in California, it seems to me that although they may be a "newbie", they would have quite a bit of knowledge on California notary Law.
There is no "sliding by" to be commissioned in California.
And on top of everything, one does have to put out the money to be commissioned.
Sorry for any typos.
Have a fantastic afternoon/evening.
Stephanie

Reply by MW/VA on 8/18/13 7:22pm
Msg #480942

I guess your got your first taste of this forum, Kaneka.

It can get very "snarky" at times, especially when someone says they're new. Don't let them scare you away.

Reply by LKT/CA on 8/18/13 8:27pm
Msg #480945

Re: I guess your got your first taste of this forum, Kaneka.

I think the real problem is the forum itself and not the responses, per se. Each person has their own style of writing - some are diplomatic and seem can be "snarky" but all-in-all, the messages are on point.

The "Welcome to the Notary Talk General Discussion Forum. Before posting, please read the Rules & Guidelines" does not stand out...it should be in a much larger font. No one knows the words "Rules & Guidelines" is actually a link to the rules and guidelines.

Secondly, when someone clicks on the "New Msg" button, the ONLY thing they should see on the screen is the box with the "Important Notice" with the orange search button and a "continue" button under the Important Notice. The orange search button would give everyone an opportunity to search the topic before posting. However, not everything is asking a question. Some want to share an experience so they'll bypass the orange search button and hit the "continue" button which would take them to the screen to actually post the message. If the forum were set up that way and a newbie posted the question, "How do I get started?" then we know they didn't bother to do any research. JMHO

Reply by nekab on 8/18/13 9:19pm
Msg #480952

Re: I guess your got your first taste of this forum, Kaneka.

I have pretty thick skin. Still hate to offend if I'm not intending to. I think from now on I will just read and not post lol.

Reply by Carolyn Bodley on 8/19/13 7:48pm
Msg #481095

Glad you changed your alias handle from your real name

It was completely uncalled for to have your present employer listed in a public message. If it were all that important to know who you were, the question could have been posted to you in a private message. As the minority have told you, it is not a necessity nor a requirement to link your messages to your profile. It is YOUR choice.

Reply by Mindy/ on 8/19/13 1:45pm
Msg #481006

Re: I guess your got your first taste of this forum, Kaneka.

Many refer to it as the snake pit! I don't bother posting as a Newbie anymore, not very helpful.