Whether we are sheltering in place or continuing to work in our notary signing agent businesses, we must find ways to stay positive and ready to identify opportunities when they emerge. Having a negative outlook helps nothing. Today, I’d like to share habits that I have learned from observing smart people who get things done and keep going toward their goals in life no matter what is happening around them.
Have you noticed how remote online notarization (RON) has had many crazy ups and downs? We had a few hot minutes of activity in March and April, yet today, a number of notaries complain of having no assignments come their way after investing to become an online notary.
Iowa has accelerated their Remote Online Notarization (RON) to accommodate for the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. Iowa notaries can now register here to be able to offer this service: https://sos.iowa.gov/covid19/remotenotarization/form.aspx The following vendors have been authorized to provide this service: DocVerify LenderClose SIGNiX You must reach out to one of these vendors prior to applying. DocVerify: $100 setup fee, $480 annual fee, $100 digital certificate fee, and a per transaction fee LenderClose: No published fees. SIGNiX: No setup fee, $250 annual fee, free digital certificate, $10 transaction fee, $5 for each additional seal (same transaction, $60 max) Here is the text of the guidance provided by the Iowa Secretary of State's Office: In-Person Notarization Requirement Waiver Guidance Beginning March 22nd, Governor Reynolds declared that the in-person requirement for...
Update 4/1/2020: The Colorado SOS office confirmed that there has been no change to the amount Colorado notaries can charge for a remote online notarization. This makes RON cost-prohibitive in most instances. We will update as we get more information. Colorado has adopted a temporary rule to allow Remote Online Notarization (RON) as a response to Corona Virus (COVID-19) and quarantine and social distancing recommendations at the state and federal level. Below is the new rule put out by the Colorado Secretary of State Notary Division: As temporarily adopted and effective 3/30/2020 Rule 5. Remote Notarization 5.1 Definitions As used in these Rules, unless stated otherwise: 5.1.1 “Audio-video communication” means communication by which an individual is able to see, hear, and communicate with a remotely located...
Can we all agree that this has been one of the most interesting months in history for notary signing agents? And, of course, by "interesting," what I really mean is it's crazy out there. The topics that I said we would cover this time hardly seem relevant to our world today. That was on March 9, 2020 in a pre-national COVID-19 emergency where the phrase "keeping social distance" held no meaning for us. Here we are three weeks later, my local FedEx station has pastel blue boxes for people to stand in so that they stay six feet apart. For grins, go back and look at the article from the 9th (Remote Online Notarization - Positive RON News) and the...
Notary Learning Center, Inc. has been a State Certified Education Vendor in California since 2004, providing Notary Public and Signing Agent training. Information about our company and the services we offer can be found by visiting us at: https://www.CaliforniaNotaryExam.com https://www.NotaryLearningCenter.com Position: Notary Public Class Instructor** This is a part time position as an independent contractor working for Notary Learning Center, Inc. We are in need of a class instructor to teach the 6 hour California State Mandated Notary Public training class. We also offer a Notary Signing Agent Class (loan document training). Location: Northern California (Bay Area) Experience: Must have experience teaching in a classroom environment and/or a background in public speaking. Someone who is already a Notary Public and/or Notary Signing Agent is preferred. Responsibilities/Requirements: Must have reliable...
I have positive news to share regarding remote online notarization (RON). It is now more affordable for notaries to enter the RON arena! Last year, I reported that DocVerify was the only company willing to work with independent notaries who want to perform remote online notarization (RON). At the time, I had talked with several platform companies, none of whom offered seats to individual independent notaries. So, that left one company for us to choose from and there was no competition.
News reports have appeared across the U.S. indicate that notaries aren't aware that notarizing documents improperly or charging unjustified fees can cause any or all of the following punishments; the notary can be Sued for damages Jailed for a crime Sanctioned with fines Involved in a class action lawsuit Since it has been about nine months since I last wrote about the importance of training, and I am bringing it up again because I know that it is the first line of defense to ensure you can protect yourself. Please note that in my closing remarks, I'll give you a mini-update on my thoughts on remote online notarization and how this article relates to that.
