Susan Littlefield
(Originally published in the December 2017 issue of The National Notary magazine.)
When I attended a Notary class in May 2017 my intent was to start a side business. During the class, the instructor talked about the Notary’s role as a loan Signing Agent and said that it was interesting and often paid well. Since I had planned on resigning from my full-time job as a paralegal in the fall and moving out of the area, I was intrigued with the prospect of becoming a Signing Agent.
About three weeks after receiving my commission, I registered for a Notary Signing Agent course in my area from the Notary Learning Center. The week prior to taking the class, I was laid off from my full-time job. Even though I had never been unemployed and was not sure of my next move, this was the push I needed to start my own business.
The day of the class, I was informed that it had been canceled due to an unavoidable incident. I was disappointed and asked if I could do the independent home study course in lieu of signing up for another class, which was about a month out. The next day I started the home study course with the intent of taking the Notary world by storm.
When I decided to become a NSA, a colleague suggested that I sign up with a popular loan closing company for lenders and title companies. I contacted the company and provided all the relevant information, even though I was not yet confident that I could competently do the work. I communicated my concerns with one of the company’s employees, who encouraged me on my journey. Watching work orders come through via text message gave me hope that I was on the right path.
My first Notary Signing Agent assignment
While I was still working on the home study course, I was watching the plethora of signing assignments come through via text message. Since I was beginning to grasp the class material and had handled homeowner documents as a paralegal, I thought a loan signing would be easy. I pushed the accept button on the application.
Moments later, a representative called and said the assignment was mine if I wanted it, but I began to have second thoughts. I told the representative that I was not yet certified and had never handled a signing. He said he always liked to give new agents a chance, and I accepted the assignment.
This loan package was a refinance of 250-plus pages with two borrowers signing. I carefully read all instructions and followed them to a tee. I printed one copy for signature and the other for the borrowers. I scrupulously prepared the signer’s copy so that all signature lines were tagged. I was ready to go! While at the signing, I faced some challenges. I did not feel confident so I over-explained each document. I also did not understand that certain crucial documents needed to be presented first, that it was not necessary to explain every single document, and that my main job was to verify identities and ensure that all signatures and notarizations were correct. Because of my inexperience and lack of education, this signing took almost three hours to complete! Before leaving the borrowers’ home, I double-checked my work and found that all signatures had been obtained and all notarizations completed. A few hours later, I proudly faxed the required documents pursuant to instruction and dropped the package at a manned FedEx office.
Learning from my mistakes with the loan package
The next day my world crumbled when the vendor called and asked where the escrow instructions were. At first, my ego took over and I was sure I had not missed a thing, then further investigation revealed that I had inadvertently missed printing out this document.
I called the signing company and apologized profusely, but they sent another Notary to redo the job. When I shared my dilemma in Notary forums, I received support as well as appropriate reprimanding for taking a signing without knowing what I was doing. I promised not to do any more assignments until I had completed my education and certification.
I contacted the Notary Learning Center and told them that I needed hands-on training, and they registered me for one of their classes for free. I traveled almost two hours to the class, which is the best decision I could have made. My biggest mistake was jumping into a signing before I knew what I was doing. My 13-year construction defect paralegal career in no way prepared me to close a loan. Even though loans, deeds, and escrow documents are common in construction defect litigation, by the time I saw those documents they were always outdated. Once I completed my hands-on training, I also earned my certification from the National Notary Association. Only then did I get back into the game.
I now understand loan documents and how to properly present them to the signers. I can articulate the essential, permissible information, and know that it’s not necessary to explain every single document. When I print the package, I double-check to make sure I have not missed anything. I never leave an assignment without double-checking all pages for signatures and notarizations.
What I learned is that education is the power I need to do my job to the best of my ability. I signed up with Notary2Pro, which includes the Signing Agent class, an advanced course and instruction on reverse mortgages. I am proud to say that I have since earned my Notary2pro certification as a Signing Agent and am now working on the advanced course. Continuing education and staying current on your state’s Notary laws is essential in this business. Since mid-August I have accomplished seven signings for two loan closing companies. My confidence is getting stronger and my skill is improving with each assignment. My goal is to build my business into a full-time venture because I love working with people and helping them during the important times in their lives.
Susan Littlefield is a Notary Signing Agent in northern California. She is also a freelance writer, and has published articles in newsletters for paralegals and a journal for attorneys. Her Notary website is Candomobilenotary.com.
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