Posted by jba/fl on 11/12/13 9:40am
Msg #492370

A first for me - rather cool, too.

I have an RM this afternoon and the son of the 88 yr. old woman is vetting me via SOS web site.

I really do like to see the kids take a protective interest in their elderly parents. Applause to the son!

Reply by Notarysigner on 11/12/13 9:47am
Msg #492373

What if she doesn't like "Seatac". LOL

Reply by Christine/OK on 11/12/13 10:23am
Msg #492374

Sweet! Kudos to both of them. :D Much love there. n/m

Reply by NVLSlady/VA on 11/12/13 10:40am
Msg #492377

Found in good standing?

Don't think a consumer would find much for their comfort (or lack of) on VA notaries.

They hardly know we exist - let alone whether in good standing!

Anyone who has ever tried to get info from SOC-VA will tell you what an exercise in futility.

Reply by NVLSlady/VA on 11/12/13 10:48am
Msg #492379

Re: Found in good standing?

Of course, he could always say, "Well, they told me she was a still a notary, and that was good enough for me!"

Reply by Linda Juenger on 11/12/13 11:37am
Msg #492386

Re: Found in good standing?

Believe it or not, I had the same thing happen just last week. It wasn't a RM, but a couple wanting divorce papers notarized. He found me doing a search online, then went to IL SOS to verify my commission. A first for me too, that I know of.

We did meet at McDonalds and he assured me ahead of time it was a "civil" divorce.

I think people are taking a pro-active approach when having legal things done. We are becoming a society that trusts no one. Sad. Think our government has a lot to do with that. So much distrust, crooked politicians.

Reply by NVLSlady/VA on 11/12/13 11:47am
Msg #492388

Re: Found in good standing?

Practice makes perfect.

<"We are becoming a society that trusts no one. Sad. Think our government has a lot to do with that.">

Society has had years and years of practice with "crooked;" You'd think they'd look to a different source by now

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/12/13 11:56am
Msg #492392

Not just a case of not trusting anyone

down here people can file all the paperwork for their divorces by themselves and if they agree on everything, it's a WHOLE lot cheaper than paying an attorney $200-$300 an hour to do what they can do for free, paying only for filing fees. And believe me, attorneys in these matters charging by the hour charge for everything - the meter starts running on every little thing that's done, including the receptionist answering the phone and taking a message.

Reply by jba/fl on 11/12/13 11:48am
Msg #492389

Re: Found in good standing?

I agree. All he wanted was to see in print - the SOS site only lists basic info, nothing overly personal, but enough to satisfy what he was hearing. Proof is important, and more people should be proactive.

Interesting that there are so few - that was my point overall.

Reply by NVLSlady/VA on 11/12/13 12:12pm
Msg #492397

Re: Found in good standing?

Just wondering if the son's "proactive" approach would have had the same attention span needed here in VA to satisfy his inquiry (and yes, good he at least cared enough):

"Our [SOC] office will provide a formal letter stating both the notary's commission date and expiration date."

Wonder how long that would take??

I think it's unfortunate that we don't have even so much as an ID card when commissioned (I mean, even crooks help old ladies across the street - before grabbing their purses!)

Guess you'd better have your DL handy for inspection.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/12/13 1:30pm
Msg #492411

Re: Found in good standing?

It's a shame that there isn't easier ability to verify notaries' commissions in VA, especially with all the misunderstanding about the web notarizations. Do they at least have a list available of notaries who have been approved to do those? Seems to me that without that, it's opening the door for the shysters out there to take advantage.

Reply by jba/fl on 11/12/13 1:33pm
Msg #492412

Re: Found in good standing?

As for something to present to the BO, I would think you have a commission paper to show. I don't carry mine, but I could carry a copy I suppose if it ever came to that. Don't you have something you fax in with your sign up paperwork? (VA)

Reply by Linda Juenger on 11/12/13 1:44pm
Msg #492413

Re: Found in good standing?

I keep a file folder in my briefcase with copies of my commission certificate, E&O, Bond, BGC in. I have never been asked to see it though, but sure as he** as soon as I don't have it, someone will want to see it. lol

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/12/13 2:17pm
Msg #492418

I don't carry any of that information in my briefcase

and have never been asked for it. Only been asked once in 7 years for any ID at all.

Reply by apsnltch on 11/12/13 4:14pm
Msg #492435

Re: I don

I carry a card issued by the SOS that says State Of Michigan, My Name, Notary Public, appointment date and county and expiration date....A Place for me to sign and the The Great Seal of the State of Michigan on it stating from Name and Title (Secretary of State) Department of State as My Notary ID. I carry this and My Drivers license in a small leather ID folder with those two items on the inside and my business cards on the outside. I carry in my purse all the time.

I show it to the borrower when I ask them for copies of theirs. I guess I feel it is only fair that I am an unknown to them for themost part entering their home...I can at least show them that I am willing to show ID that I am who I say I am as they are willing to give me copies of theirs

Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/12/13 7:04pm
Msg #492446

Re: I don

I find that if you walk in with the right sense of authority, confidence, and good attitude (and their docs in your hands...), it's just not an issue, especially after the confirmation call. There will inevitably be an extreme case on a very rare occasion, so I do keep a copy of my notary certificate in my briefcase.

I suppose this could vary by the neighborhood, but out of several thousand signings, I could probably count on one hand the number of times the issue has even come up for me. People know they're going to have to present ID.

Reply by NVLSlady/VA on 11/12/13 2:14pm
Msg #492417

Re: Found in good standing?

Yes, I send commission cert and keep copy of commission ltr in notary bag. I need to re-copy new commission (renewal) to carry while it's on my mind!

Don't know about verification list for eNotaries; have to be traditional notary 1st so guess it's assumed you're legit to do electronic notarizations if asked

(as an aside, still was getting new client calls from coffee site with exp comm date in my profile! No one looks at fees after all; and I guess they don't bother to check commission status either; I went in and updated)