Posted by jojo_MN on 10/30/13 12:45am
Msg #490382

Possible solution to background checks. New idea.

I replied to a post from yesterday and this was one of the points I made, but thought it might be a good solution to ending this nightmare of background checks. If anyone would like to approach the states in which you are commissioned if you like the idea, it would be a help to us all, in my opinion.

Maybe the states in which you do business should run a background check every one or two years (could be at notary's expense as to not raise taxes) and just keep a list stating that we passed the background check and be done with it. All three states where I am commissioned has a list of all notaries. Maybe they could add a notation that we passed the bgc also. This would definitely put an end to all the BS that we have been dealing with. It would make the lenders and title companies compliant with the rules regarding background checks.

This would also keep our private information out of title companies' and signing services' hands. (Too bad they already have it.) Also, it would put an end to XYZ's extorting money from us.

If everyone agrees, maybe we can each approach our congress persons and legislators and explain what we notaries have been going thru the last few years and see if they would be willing to try to get this to work in our states.

Reply by VT_Syrup on 10/30/13 7:20am
Msg #490388

Keep in mind that the majority of notaries are not mobile notaries. Thus the majority of notaries are not being pressured to pass background checks on account of their notarial duties (although some of them might be checked on account of their other duties).

Reply by Lee/AR on 10/30/13 7:30am
Msg #490390

Already done in CA. Doesn't seem to work for them. n/m

Reply by dgd/CA on 10/30/13 8:07am
Msg #490396

Re: Already done in CA. Doesn't seem to work for them.

Very true Lee/AR. The problem, as I see it, is that no matter how much we beg and plead, the Notary Public is not allowed a copy (or certification) of the report. Has occurred to me many times that we (in CA) should start a petition to our legislative body to change that (afterall, we do pay for it).

Reply by LisaWI on 10/30/13 8:48am
Msg #490403

Jojo, I Like Your Idea

I think this would benefit both independent notaries such as ourselves and I think this would appeal to companies who need to A. hire a person who is a notary to complete notarial duties or B. have one of their employees become a notary.........and I believe that even notaries who are employees still should have to complete one. They, too, are capable of obtaining a persons sensitive information. A lot of notaries work in financial institutions and other companies that collect a persons personal information.

This idea would be simple and clean. It would eliminate multiple checks as your state would be taking care of it. It would eliminate providing your personal information to multiple entities therefore raising your risk for identity theft.......

Your state already has a lot of information about you in order to apply to be a notary, why not keep the BGC with them. I, for one, would feel safer if my state did this and probably wouldnt balk one bit.

Again, I like your idea.....after all, our states are the ones who issue us our notary commissions, so this to me seems logical......

Oh, and I should mention, already being a govt entity (our commissioning authority), they probably have the means to take care of this pretty efficiently.......

No, I REALLY like your idea the more I think about it

Reply by LisaWI on 10/30/13 8:59am
Msg #490406

Lee/AR

I agree it isnt working for Cali right now, but Cali is but one state.. If all states made it a mandate to have their notaries background checked, it would hold water to convince these major lenders that this should be sufficient for their expectations on a BGC. Also, it would be credible to the major lenders as a govt entity is taking the responsibility of the BGC task.

Reply by Lee/AR on 10/30/13 9:57am
Msg #490438

Re: Lee/AR

My county has over 5000 notaries (whole population is less than 40K). We have a disproportionate amount of banks in my town & that accounts for a whole LOT of 5000 notaries, but certainly not all of them. I'm the only NSA that both shows up in directories & actually lives in my town/county (tho' a few claim to on various findanotary sites--we're not discussing that anomaly).

Somehow, I just don't think Arkansas or these notaries are going to get real excited about BGCs.

Yes, it would be a good idea... might even work in some/few states. The problem that I see is very simple: if you sell your state on the concept--where do you think they're going to go to implement it? Who is going to be out there marketing their .org as the 'only solution'? Riiiiight!

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/30/13 7:04pm
Msg #490575

Re: Already done in CA. Doesn't seem to work for them.

I'm not sure that's a bad thing (except that it would be nice for us to see it to be sure there aren't any errors). All they really need to know is that we passed - assuming it's sufficiently vigorous - not whatever details about us the BGC might contain. However, I agree that it's unlikely to happen - especially with any uniform standards.

Reply by Notarysigner on 10/30/13 9:26am
Msg #490419

Is it the horse or cart

In order to get a notary commission you must take a STATE exam. A person who has been convicted of a crime and served their sentence is eligible to get a commission in some states.

The XYZ provides a "certification". Can you get a commission from the XYZ? Will XYZ approve a BGC for the ex-con. Hmmm

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 10/30/13 9:30am
Msg #490420

bringing pins to the balloon parade

Well, that's how I feel - but just a few reality checks:

1. That would require legislation to change the laws in all 50 states (including CA - more to follow), and that requires money. Who has money to lobby AGAINST such a protocol, which would steal its lunch money? Who has a long-standing relationship with those 50 states - so much love going around, the name pops up on SOS sites.

1.a - extra points if you know who has over 20 million in annual revenue.

2. The legislation would never pass were it to require the extensive items the lending industry is asking for (and which no state, including CA, even comes close to currently providing). CA does SOME of what the lenders want to see - once every 6 years.

3. A distinction would have to be made specific to mobile notaries, due to the request of the lenders for a DMV record. The SOSs have distanced themselves FAR from the "NSA" crowd (sorry, makes me again remember who they list on their sites) - and I'm not seeing the reality of this changing.

Reply by Gayle Allen on 10/30/13 10:50am
Msg #490452

http://www.nationalnotary.org/bulletin/bulletin_articles/new_standards_for_mortgage_signings.html

Just read who decided that the 50 states should all combine to become 1 NSA ruling