Recent Posts

Topic: If You Accept $50 Signings

With companies popping up and NOT paying the notaries for their work, the price of gas, and the professionalism we need to portray to the public, I personally will not accept less than $100 for any signing. When asked, I tell the signing company my fee is $125 and if they have a problem with that, I reiterate the business expenses of a professional notary to them. In most cases, they will accept paying me $125 anyway because they’ve spent most of their day looking for a notary anyway. All the newbies out there: Don’t be afraid to ask for more, just because you’re new at this! If you trained correctly and have all your ducks in order, you will do a professional, efficient job which demands a higher pay for you. And that in turn, will help to keep our profession able to command higher fees.

Topic: LIA Signing

Kudos to you! I did two signings in two days for LIA Signing in April and cannot get in touch with them at all.

Suggestion: Perhaps we should have a Deadbeat Signing Company forum so others will not get burned by irresponsible greedy companies who come and go as they please with no restrictions.

Topic: What To Do When A Customer Doesn't Know What Type of Notarization They Need

I’m a new Notary, so I’m a little unsure. It is my understanding that in CA we cannot tell the customer which type of notarization they need for their document. I had a customer ask me to notarize his affirmation of he and his wife’s passport copies. He told me that it was an acknowledgment. I explained to him the difference of the acknowledgment & Jurat. Although I believed he needed a Jurat I completed the acknowledgment form. Is this okay? I also had another customer tell me that since he wasn’t sure about the acknowledgment vs Jurat (after I explained the difference) he wanted both. Is this okay? Both an acknowledgment & Jurat for the same document?

Topic: If You Accept $50 Signings

I understand both sides of this discussion. I don’t personally accept $50 signings, however, if a notary needs to take a $50 signing, because they need the money or for other reasons, that’s their business. I definitely value my work. I am an experienced notary closing agent, paralegal and abstractor and I quote my fees accordingly. I firmly believe, in a majority of situations, you get what you pay for. I try to make it real easy for my clients. I quote my fee and tell them when they try to get me to lower my price, I understand, if you feel you can’t meet my fee, “it’s business”, however, I tell them ” it’s business for me also.” It’s really quite simple, either they pay me or they pay someone else. The decision is always theirs.

Topic: LIA Signing

If anyone is owed money by this company, they are currently being investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Consumer Protection. If they owe you money, please contact Elizabeth A. Howard, Consumer Specialist at 414-266-1231 and reference file No. 500902 Her email is Elizabeth.Howard@wisconsin.gov.

It is time to send a message to these fly-by-night companies that they cannot keep making money off our backs, with no intention of paying. Please contact them and lend your support to go after these guys! It doesn’t matter how much … what matters is that we send a message. Thank you.

Topic: notarizing across state lines

Can you send me a link showing that the Ca Jurat Verbiage must always be used if being recorded outside of California. I took an update class and that was never discussed. Yes.. I’m aware that the venue must be where you are at physically Notarizing the signature. I would appreciate the Jurat info. That is something I was absolutely not aware of.

Topic: Statement by 3rd Party re: Copy of Passport

tnabnaca, you CAN notarize the CFO’s statement saying “attached are copies of passports for each of our firm’s Partner” HOWEVER, you are getting involved in the docs to concern yourself with whether the passport copies are “true copies of the original” and who the custodians are. The CFO did not ask you to about that, he asked you to notarize his statement of what is ATTACHED. By taking this further than what is asked you are engaging in UPL (unlicensed practice of law). Do not concern yourself with anything but what you are asked to notarize.

A custodian is someone in whose CARE the passport is in, NOT necessarily whose photo/info is on the passport. If the CFO has physical custody of those passports and he makes photocopies, YES, he can swear on oath (jurat) on the Copy Certification by Document Custodian forms on each of the passports copies and sign his name. Since that would be 10 separate notarizations for those 10 passport copies, plus the letter saying what is attached (that makes 11), you should be paid well – if you are in California.

Topic: Statement by 3rd Party re: Copy of Passport

A side note here…

An individual can ask a notary to notarize any type of document or statement.

It’s the notary’s duty to verify the identity of the individual before them who is signing the document and to perform our duties in compliance with our State’s regulations.

I think that since you are notarizing a document for your employer, you can make suggestions so that the document is drafted in compliance with State law.

I’ve notarized documents for people in the past and have been called back to notarize a document again because the original document was not in compliance with rhe recipient’s specifications.

We are not mind readers and many times we don’t know what the intent of the document is. We are taking the word of the signer that the document is what is needed and that the signer has verified the document to be the correct document.

Topic: Statement by 3rd Party re: Copy of Passport

I would prefer that each individual sign his or her own “custodian” form.

If that’s not possible, a statement (affidavit) by the CFO indicating that he has verified the attachments and that each of the copies are true copies of the original passports. It makes sense that a Jurat should be used in this instance since the CFO is making a sworn statement as to the validity of the copies.

I would think the CFO’s statement/affidavit should clearly list identifying information for each passport copy to be attached.

(i.e. name, passport number, Country of Passport Origin, date of issuance)

I am not an attorney and am not providing legal advise here. Just trying to use some common sense.

Topic: notarizing across state lines

Hi Maureen, the current California JURAT ALWAYS must be used on a document whether it’s being used in CA or any other State. It’s my understanding that the Acknowledgment of the State the document will be used in can be used. However, the venue section of the doucment where the signing took place is to be properly reflected.

Topic: Statement by 3rd Party re: Copy of Passport

Can I do this in CA? My CFO wants me to notarize a written statement saying “attached are copies of passports for each of our firm’s Partner”; attached to the statement are copies of passports for each of our 10 Partners. Since the CFO is not really the “custodian” of the original passports, I wonder if I can notarize (jurat) his statement indicating he has verified that each of the copies are true copies of the original passport.

Topic: Copy Certification by Document Custodian

Can I do this in CA? My CFO wants me to notarize a written statement saying “attached are copies of passports for each of our firm’s Partner”; attached to the statement are copies of passports for each of our 10 Partners. Since the CFO is not really the “custodian” of the original passports, I wonder if I can notarize his statement indicating he has verified each of the copies are true copies of the original passport.

Topic: Notary Depot gets listed on Quantcast

I checked that site out very cool for those that have direct websites. For myself who has several different sites but do not own my own site it does not accept paths such as www.notaryCa.com/MaureenLazar or my site here on Notary Depot. That would be awesome to see that. Thanks for the update on the site and hope to watch Notary Depots site experience a rise in searches :)

Topic: Merchandiser Jobs

Thank You for sharing your new experiences with those of us also struggling. I appreciate that and will look into this. I live in California. Things here are slowly picking up due to bank owned homes being purchased. But… like you said it sure isn’t like it used to be. Maureen Lazar

Topic: notarizing across state lines

You can always notarize a document being mailed to another state. Like Lindah said you can line through the state/county and verbiage if it is not correct. Always attach/staple your Ack or Jurat to the form that needs to be notarized. I live in California and in Jan 08’ the rules changed for Notary Acknowledgments and Jurats. If the document is being recorded outside of California it does not have to have the California specific verbiage on it. That I only learned by mistake when I was a newbie :)

Topic: notarizing across state lines

“Shouldn’t mthe county and state above my signature be where the actual signing and notarizing is taking place?”

Yes – you can either amend the existing ack or jurat to reflect the correct information or attach a NH compliant ack or jurat..if you attach your own certificate, note the pre-printed one “see attached New Hampshire compliant <ack or jurat>” and I’d draw a big “X” across the pre-printed one.

Good Luck!!

Topic: notarizing across state lines

I’m a new notary from the state of NH and need to complete a document for someone in the Compoany I work for. I am unsure if I can notarize a signature for an affidavit of debt that is being sent to a MA court. The document does not state the STATE of NH and the county I am signing it in. It states the STATE of MA, county of Sullivan.

I’m not sure if it is correct for me to be notarizing this form. Shouldn’t mthe county and state above my signature be where the actual signing and notarizing is taking place?

Thanks for your help.

Topic: notarizing across state lines

I’m a new notary from the state of NH and need to complete a document for someone in the Compoany I work for. I am unsure if I can notarize a signature for an affidavit of debt that is being sent to a MA court. The document does not state the STATE of NH and the county I am signing it in. It states the STATE of MA, county of Sullivan.

I’m not sure if it is correct for me to be notarizing this form. Shouldn’t mthe county and state above my signature be where the actual signing and notarizing is taking place?

Thanks for your help.

Topic: Free Driving Directions via Cellphone

Don’t have a GPS? Dial 347-328-4667 from your cellphone….you’ll receive a text message directing you to your destination – for FREE !! You won’t forget the number, just remember DIR-ECT-IONS

Topic: Copy Certification by Document Custodian

How much a copy certification would cost?

Topic: Answer Your Phone

I have my phone with me and will answer it at all times, whether I’m doing dishes, at the grocery store, or waiting at the dentist office. I will not answer my phone while serving a notary customer. They are paying me for my full attention at the appointment. To answer the phone and start negotiating deals while I should be notarizing their paperwork is rude, in my opinion. They are not paying me to take the next deal. They are paying me to notarize their doc and pay attention and focus on the task at hand. If I miss a call, oh well, my loss, but I will NOT shortchange the customer by taking my attention away from them for a phone call. For loan signings I will inform the borrowers ahead of time that an incoming call may be the SS or TC and I may need to answer my phone. But for regular notary work…the calls can go to voicemail until I am finished. I hate it when people are on the phone when I am their customer, therefore, I will not do that to others. I am willing to lose a client on the phone because the person sitting in front of me I value as #1 and a top priority.

Topic: Answer Your Phone

I always answer if it is an unrecognized number. I have several numbers that I know the prefix too and know they are companies I do business with, I then also answer my phone. I do know that it is rude at times but I then explain my line of work “they call once if no answer they move on down the list”. Usually everyone understands. ( except my kids who think it’s rude)

Topic: Raising Prices

I do agree with texnotary to do a e-doc signing does not really cost much more than 1 year ago. So, why now raise e-doc fees. If anything do what the lindah did and raise your fee altogether. If it is more than 20 miles, raise your price. That makes more sense everyone knows the price of gas. I live in the Antelope Valley which covers a large mass of land and several cities. So I now ask immediately for the zip code. Yes, I agree that when I say no because of the low price they know they’ll call the next Notary and she or he will say yes. There is not much negotiating these days. There are some great signing services that will negotiate and I appreciate them.

Topic: Raising Prices

I don’t get it. I just got another signing request for $65.00! I do NOT think so!

But there must be those willing to accept.

Topic: best printer

hello all – I’m shopping for a new printer and hoped to get some feedback - I want a color laser – preferably with two trasy – but definitely a printer that prints envelopes without a hassle – I’m trying to stay under $1000

anybody got any suggestions?