What is a notary signing agent?
Someone once asked me, "What exactly is a signing agent and what do they do?"
It is difficult to say what a notary signing agent is. It's easier to answer the second part of his question: 'what do
they do?' And even that is difficult, because we do so many things.
The simple answer is that notary signing agents make it possible for someone to do the closing of their
mortgage loan, whenever and wherever it is most convenient for them. Many of us work 24/7, which means that
there is virtually no limit to when the closing can take place.
How does all of this happen?
Someone in Colorado can go online and borrow from a lender in California. Is it necessary for that borrower to
board a plane and fly to California for the signing of their loan documents, some of which also need to be
notarized, or to make a trip to a title company? No. Instead, a notary signing agent will bring the loan
documents to the borrower.
What usually happens is that I will get a call from the title company to do a closing. They email a confirmation
with the borrowers name, address, and phone number, along with other information about the closing. They
send the documents to me, most of the time in an email attachment, or they will provide a link to where I can
download the documents from a secure website. I make a confirmation call to the borrower, print the
documents, then go to the borrower to have the documents signed and notarized. This can be at their home,
their place of work, or wherever it's most convenient for them -- any time of day or night. Afterwards I deliver
the documents back to the title company, usually by overnight courier. If it's a local title company here in
Colorado Springs I will personally deliver them.
The whole idea is to make it more convenient for the borrower. It's a convenience for the lender as well.
Closings have even been done while borrowers were traveling on vacation in their recreational vehicle.
What are the limitations of notary signing agents?
As I'm going over the documents with the borrower during the closing, if the borrower has a specific question
about the terms of their loan, I remind them that they will have to ask their loan officer, and that I work for
neither the lender nor the title company.
"Well then, who DO YOU work for?"
Notary signing agents are independent contractors. We work for many different companies. It's not
uncommon that I will close loans for 3 different lenders, from 3 different parts of the country, on the same day.
Yet I represent all of them as if I did work for them.
Is the borrower's sensitive information safe?
Absolutely. Notary signing agents go to great lengths to secure the borrower's sensitive information.
How much money do notary signing agents make, and what kind of hours do they work?
One of the biggest myths surrounding this profession is that becoming a notary signing agent is a
'get-rich-quick' way of making money. That is far from the truth. Many prospective signing agents come into this
profession disillusioned, thinking that they can quit their job and immediately earn a six-figure salary. It is not
easy being a notary signing agent. And it can be very frustrating at times. Notary signing agents work very
hard. It can take a long time to get established to the point where you can make a living at this. And those who
are able to make a living usually work long hours. On several occasions I have left the office to do a closing at
8:00 a.m. and didn't finish the day until close to midnight. Very many of us make ourselves available 24/7,
because we have to be available whenever it is convenient for the borrower. Sometimes I'll get a call to do a
closing at 7 a.m. because the borrower wants to sign the papers before they go to work, or because that is the
only time they are available.
Reverse Mortgages
This is an area in which notary signing agents can play a significant role. The people who are least able to
leave their homes and travel great distances are the elderly. Many of us are trained to do Reverse Mortgage
closings and have a lot of experience working with senior citizens. We take a lot of pride in serving these clients.
Speaking of training, what type of training is required to become a Notary Signing Agent?
Some of the types of training include seminars, training manuals, and online courses. Most of the knowledge
that we gain is through self-study.
More information can be found in the topic: Continuing Education for Notary Signing Agents. If you are going to
learn from a training manual, the one I recommend is the Signing Agent Training Guide, written by Kathy
Poston. You can learn more by visiting the Signing Registry website: signingregistry.com
Is there a professional organization for Notary Signing Agents?
Yes. There are many organizations that signing agents can join, including the Signing Registry that I mentioned
in Part I. I recommend that the first organization they join is the National Notary Association.
Are there professional designations?
Yes. There are several. One of the most common is the designation Certified Notary Signing Agent (CNSA)
from the National Notary Association. In order to earn this designation they must pass a 3-part test and
undergo a background screening.
Do Notary Signing Agents have a place online to chat about notary signing agent issues?
Yes. There are many message boards for signing agents. One of the most popular is: Notary Rotary. It's a
good place to learn a lot about the signing agent profession. There is a search feature. It can find the answer
to just about any question you have.
How does a company go about finding a notary signing agent? Are you listed in the Yellow Pages?
The most effective way to advertise is by becoming a member of the National Notary Association and becoming
a member of the Notary Signing Agent section, registering with the major notary signing agent sites, such as
Notary Rotary and 123notary.com, signing up with signing companies, and having a website. There are a lot
of other ways and other sites that I haven't mentioned. The main thing is to never stop marketing.
I have tried to give as broad a picture as possible, but I'm sure that I haven't come close to answering the
question: 'What is a Notary Signing Agent?' completely. It is such a multi-faceted profession.
There are many difficulties and challenges to this job. But for the most part it is a very rewarding profession,
and I derive a great amount of satisfaction from what I do.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about notary signing agents.
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The National Notary Association is the nation's professional Notary organization and serves the professional, educational, career
and business needs of Notaries throughout the U.S. Since 1957, the NNA has helped Notaries to serve society responsibly and
ethically.