Training Archives

Northern California Notary Instructor Job

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 transportation Must be...

March 11, 2020By Andy JohnsonCalifornia, Training0 CommentsRead more...

Knowledge is the Key to Securing Your Notary Career

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. Continuing Self-education is Critical Most states do not have laws requiring education...

February 24, 2020By Brenda StoneFeatured, Notary Business, Training1 CommentRead more...

Handling Commercial Loan Documents as a Notary Signing Agent

Are you ready to handle commercial loans as a notary signing agent? There are four standards to meet before you do so. Preparing to Handle Commercial Loans Know how to be a great notary. You must be extremely confident of how to handle any document that requires notarization. It should go without saying that you need to know every element of a notarial certificate and be able to recite and write out the language that goes in your state’s certificates of acknowledgment and jurats (for individuals) from memory. You should have at least $100,000 in errors and omissions insurance (in my opinion) and should be familiar with how to handle complex entity notarial certificates. You must take formal notary training and review...

September 5, 2019By Brenda StoneLoan Signing Agent, Notary Public, Training1 CommentRead more...

Can I notarize this document?

Today, we are focusing on confusing and unfamiliar documents that notaries are requested to notarize. We are going in this direction today because after polling several new notaries this month, I learned that many would like to know how to handle documents they have never heard of--the crazy ones...the ones that are not in loan document packages. I ran across one that made me scratch my head, so we will take a look at it. Its purpose is to say who gets my DNA results from a genealogy company when I die. It is called a Beneficiary of DNA Information, and it is pictured in the image below. By analyzing this document, we will answer common questions asked by new notaries, for instance: What...

July 25, 2019By Brenda StoneE & O, Featured, Loan Signing Agent, Training5 CommentsRead more...

How to Write Notary Marketing Letters

The biggest notary buzz this week is “Where can I find a form marketing letter to send out for soliciting business from ______?” The blank usually contains title companies, doctors, or attorneys most often, but occasionally there are other business professionals mentioned. Below is a tip sheet I have prepared for you. But, before we go into tips and techniques, here's my best heartfelt advice: Be brave -- write your letter. You may be surprised at how empowered you will be after you take that step. As a business owner, this is a skill that you will need to use regularly. It's the first of many steps out of your comfort zone. So, we'll get through this first one together. Make the letter short and...

July 11, 2019By Brenda StoneMarketing & Advertising, Notary Business, Training5 CommentsRead more...

3 Steps to Handling “Split Signing” Appointments

A "split signing" is a type of notary signing appointment. Being signed are real estate or loan documents--the reason is it referred to as a split signing is because all of the signers can't attend at the same time. Therefore, a transaction that would normally require one appointment will require at least two appointments. Today, our example signers will be siblings--Jack Smith and Jill Jones. Jack are Jill are co-owners who are selling property that was left to them in equal shares by a deceased relative. Here are three complicating factors -- Jill lives Dallas, Texas. Jack lives in Madison, Wisconsin. The property is in Houston. Unfortunately, when the documents were drawn up, the attorneys who drafted the documents for sellers Jack and Jill...

June 27, 2019By Brenda StoneFeatured, Loan Signing Agent, Notarization, Training2 CommentsRead more...

Why EVERY Notary Needs Training

This week’s tips are for notaries who may be at risk of losing relationships with hiring parties because of errors in their notarial acts, losing their commissions--or worse--may inadvertently perform a criminal act. Because life gets busy and is full of more pressing and interesting matters, notary laws are not top priority to many notaries--I understand that! Unfortunately, the result is that too many notaries haven't developed proper skills. They don't know what they can do and what they can't.There are pitfalls to avoid, but untrained notaries don't see them. They are performing notarial acts as if blindfolded, unaware of the risks and pitfalls that await them and the public for whom they notarize. Pressures to Perform Unlawful Acts Just this week, I...

June 20, 2019By Brenda StoneE & O, Loan Signing Agent, Notarial Law, Notary Public, Training2 CommentsRead more...

Use Caution when Notarizing for Elections and Political Candidates

Normally, I like to share notary tips and fun strategies for you to use in your business. But, on occasion, I feel obligated to share a warning, especially for those who are just getting started. If you are new and haven't taken a training course, please do that before you begin seeking work--especially before handling election forms. If you think that's unnecessary and old fashioned, please continue reading! Candidate and election forms are treacherous. New notaries without training should consider referring requests to perform notarial acts for political candidates and relating to election affidavits to more experienced notaries. Please don't do it before taking a basic notary course and purchasing errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. Notarial errors related to elections will almost...

May 23, 2019By Brenda StoneE & O, Featured, Notarization, Notary Business, Training0 CommentsRead more...

Top 10 Things that a New Notary Must Know

Are you a new notary public? Do you feel as if you are -- Swimming around in murky notary laws that are too complicated? Trying to learn rules stuffed with terms that you do not understand? Attempting to make sense of confusing notary group discussions? Unable to get a straight answer on anything? Drowning from information overload? If so, take this to heart: You can't learn it all at once. You really can't! Don't make yourself feel bad because you don't know it all. Let's slow down and take your move into the notary world one small step at a time. Today, I want to go over the barest requirements and most basic skills you need to learn before you slap the Mobile Notary sign on your car and drive off...

May 9, 2019By Brenda StoneE & O, Featured, Insurance, Notarization, Notary Business, Notary Journal, Notary Public, Trainingnew notary2 CommentsRead more...

5-Step Plan to Master Complicated Certificates

Today's newsletter is about how to master complicated notarial certificates. Why should you care about this? Most notaries want this knowledge because complicated notarial certificates are the types attached to commercial loan documents and commercial real estate transactional documents. Real Situation Last week, a notary reached out for assistance with completing the blanks of a certificate of acknowledgment--the words and blanks looked completely unfamiliar to her. She shared with us a great example of what I consider to be a "complicated" notarial certificate, and it's been included below. There are so many blanks in the certificate that even a seasoned notary would be puzzled! In fact, it's likely that few lawyers could unravel the notarial certificate in the example below without a...

April 2, 2019By Brenda StoneFeatured, Notarization, Trainingnotarial wording, notary block, notary certificate7 CommentsRead more...

New to the Notary Business? A Simple Plan to Start You Off

Did you become a notary so that you could use your notary commission to develop a business? Are you having trouble sorting out all that you need to learn? If you are feeling overwhelmed and need to know where to start, this article is definitely for you! I know this is much longer than our usual articles, but I want to reach out to new notaries who are looking for a pathway to starting a notary business. I read your comments in the virtual notary hangouts and realize that one problem you are having is that you heard about this great opportunity, but have no clue where to start. I have observed: New notaries are spending far more than I ever...

March 19, 2019By Brenda StoneFeatured, Notary Business, Training3 CommentsRead more...

Fun Facts About Notary Certificates

Is this statement true or false? Notary certificates are no big deal -- just do what you can to fill them out correctly and move on. However, this is often how a new notary perceives notarial certificates. I remember that I was no different! That's why we are going to talk a bit about notarial certificates this week. Hopefully, you will read a fact or two that you did not know or have not considered in the past. Please keep in mind as you read that this is not legal advice and notary laws differ from state to state. Fact #1 - Notarial certificates outlive the notary. The purpose of a notarial certificate is to memorialize forever who appeared before the notary on what date,...

March 12, 2019By Brenda StoneNotarization, Trainingnotarial wording, notary block, notary certificate4 CommentsRead more...