Safeguarding Consumer Privacy
The mortgage industry requires an annual background screening and compliance training for all individuals involved in the lending process, including Notary Signing Agents.
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.
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 NNA Background Screening Process Works
Within 24 hours of registration, you will receive an email that directs you to the secure website of our highly trusted background screening vendor where you can submit the information required to initiate your screening process.
The background screening is typically completed within five business days. The turnaround time for Alaska, California, District of Columbia, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington may be as long as 10-15 days due to special handling requirements. When available, your results will be emailed to you.
You will be notified via email 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 website of our background screening agency.
You have the right to dispute the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in your report and disputed information will be reinvestigated.
Once you become an NNA® Certified and Background Screened 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.
Start your path to becoming an NNA® Certified and Background Screened Notary Signing Agent.
Background Screening FAQs
How do I print a copy of my background screening results?
- Use the account information you created when starting the screening.
- Log in to your Backgrounds Online account.
- A list of all screenings done will be shown. Click on the "Click to View" link in the right column next to the background screening results you wish to view.
- Contact Backgrounds Online at 877-288-1588 if you have any technical difficulties or questions related to the results.
Can I work as a Signing Agent with just the NNA background screening?
Yes. Passing the annual background screening included in any of our Notary Signing Agent packages make you an eligible candidate for hire in the eyes of some lenders and title companies. You will also earn a standard listing on SigningAgent.com, which companies use to verify the credentials of the Signing Agents they hire for assignments.
How do I dispute inaccurate findings in my background screening report?
If the findings in your background screening are not accurate because an offense is included in your background screening report that you did not commit, or the offense is misstated or incorrectly scored, you may dispute the findings by contacting Backgrounds Online to review the error.
If the findings in your background screening are accurate and you wish to appeal the outcome of your dispute, you can file an appeal with the NNA.
How do I file an appeal if the results of my background screening should be reconsidered?
Federal law requires that all background screenings be consistent and standardized, so we are unable to overlook issues for one screening and not another.
However, if the findings in your background screening are accurate and you feel the results should be reconsidered (for example, an offense was expunged or dismissed, or if an offense was incorrectly scored based on the SPW standards) you may file an appeal with the NNA.
Appeals must be requested by the person named on the background screening report. The NNA cannot review screening results with employers or others, and an appeal does not guarantee a changed result.
Please understand that background screenings are based on facts that appear in the records searched. Your appeal should address those facts and include:
- Your name, NNA ID, email and phone number
- The reason for the appeal
- A description of why the results of your screening should be reconsidered
You can email your request to BGSAppeal@nationalnotary.org or send a letter to:
National Notary Association
Attn: BGS Appeals
PO Box 4567 Chatsworth, CA 91313
How does the appeal process work and how long does it take?
Once your appeal has been received and reviewed, the NNA will follow up with you to confirm receipt and, if needed, request additional information. Once your appeal is reviewed and taken into consideration, a final assessment will be made.
The process generally takes two to three days, but may take as long as 14 days.
I can’t get through to the background screening service provider. What should I do?
Questions concerning the completion status of your background screening should be referred to Backgrounds Online at 1-877-288-1588.
However, if you have questions about the particulars of your background screening results, you must follow the specific instructions in your screening results email. This requirement is to protect your privacy. If you experience any difficulty with the service provided by Backgrounds Online, please contact NNA Customer Care at 1-800-US NOTARY (1-800-876-6827).
Why isn’t the company I work with requiring Notaries to have this screening?
If the lender or title company you work for does not require you to participate in background screening or compliance training, then you need not enroll.
Keep in mind that this will limit you to working with that company only. Some of the largest title and mortgage companies have indicated that major lenders they work with require Notaries to participate in annual background screenings to meet the demands of government regulators.
Why do I need to do your background screening if I’ve already been screened by a lender, title company, or signing service?
Several lenders, title companies and signing services used to initiate independent screenings of Notaries. This go-it-alone process led to Notaries being asked to submit to multiple screenings if they handled signings for several companies.
To make the process easier, these companies sought a single-source background screening solution from the NNA. It's possible the company that may have screened your background will continue to accept that screening, but other companies will not be able to rely on it. The NNA® Certified Notary Signing Agent® program with background screening is universally accepted by all participating companies.