In accordance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) and FTC Safeguards Rule, which were enacted to safeguard consumer privacy, the lending industry has begun to require background screening and compliance training for all individuals involved in the lending process — including Notary Signing Agents.

To make it easy for you to meet the new industry requirements, the NNA has enhanced its comprehensive Notary Signing Agent training and certification program to incorporate privacy training and background screening.

The NNA background screening includes identity verification, residence verification, federal criminal record database search, residence county criminal record search (through court records, not a database), state motor vehicle records search and an Office of Foreign Assets Control (known-terrorist list) check.

This comprehensive screening meets the highest lender standards and is far more expansive than other types of screenings. It is therefore recognized and accepted by several of the nation’s leading title and mortgage services companies — including First American Lenders Advantage, Fiserv Lending Solutions, LandAmerica OneStop, LSI – A Lender Processing Services Company, National Real Estate Information Services, and Stewart Mortgage Information.

The NNA background screening also eases the burden on Notary Signing Agents who might otherwise have to undergo individual background screenings for each company they work for.

How the Background Screening Process Works

Within 24 hours of registration, you will receive an e-mail that directs you to the secure Web site of our highly trusted background screening vendor, where you can submit the information required to initiate your screening process.

If placing your order online via the NNA Web site, access to our background screening vendor is instantaneous — allowing you to submit your information immediately following completion of your order.

The entire background screening process is generally completed within five to fifteen business days. (Turn-around time for Alaska, California, District of Columbia, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington may be as long as 10-15 business days, due to special handling or additional forms requirements.)

You will be notified via e-mail of whether your results do or do not meet the lending industry compliance requirements. You will be able to view your screening details on the secure Web site of our background screening agency. Please note that the National Notary Association does not have access to your screening details.

Once you become an NNA Certified and Background Screened Notary Signing Agent, you will receive a priority-status listing in SigningAgent.com, the nation’s #1 Notary Signing Agent Directory — where your designation will give you the competitive edge to advance your career.