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Loan Signing Agent Notary

What is a signing agent?

A signing agent, better known as a “loan signing agent notary public,” holds qualification, knowledge, and experience in notarizing real estate documents. Signing agents are employed by private companies and are not certified or qualified by any state beyond the normal notary application process. A signing agent has no special powers. The duties of a signing agent notary are restricted only to the execution of proper notarial procedures.

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How do I get on a list as a signing agent? I have been in the secondary market mortgage banking industry for 20 years.

Notary signing agents are employed by private companies and are not certified or qualified by the state’s commissioning authority beyond the normal notary application process. There are companies that offer “loan signing agent notary public” seminars. After a notary public completes the loan signing agent study course, these companies add the name of the notary public to their lists, which are then provided to title companies.

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What type of companies hire signing agent notaries?

Financial institutions, mortgage industries, and title companies employ signing agent notaries public to notarize loan documents for a much higher fee.

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I had a client get angry with me because I would not explain the terms of the mortgage documents to him. I explained that I was not allowed to do that as a loan signing agent. Was I right?

Yes. It is illegal for a loan signing agent notary to give legal advice, explain legal documents, or aid customers in completing their legal documents. Notary signing agents are employed by private companies, and are not certified or qualified by the state’s commissioning authority beyond the normal notary application process.

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Do I have to be licensed by the state to be a signing agent?

No. Signing agents are employed by private companies, and are not certified or qualified by the state’s commissioning authority beyond the normal notary application process.

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Some companies offer certification to be a signing agent. Is this certification accepted by the state?

Notary signing agents are employed by private companies and are not certified or qualified by the state’s commissioning authority beyond the normal notary application process. There are several companies that offer “loan signing agent notary public” seminars. After a notary public completes the loan signing agent study course, these companies add the name of the notary public to their lists, which are then provided to title companies. Many title companies use the lists provided by these companies to call upon notaries public to act as “loan signing agent notaries public” and notarize mortgage transactions.

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Legal disclaimer: The American Association of Notaries makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this page. Information on this page is not intended as legal advice. We are not attorneys. We do not pretend to be attorneys. Though we will sometimes provide information regarding federal laws and statutes and the laws and statutes of each state, we have gathered this information from various sources. We do not warrant the information gathered from those sources. It is your responsibility to know the appropriate laws governing your state. Notaries are advised to seek the advice of an attorney in their states if they have legal questions about how to perform notarial acts.