Signing Agent FAQs
Becoming a Signing Agent
What is a signing agent?
A signing agent is a notary who specializes in loan document signings, and helps borrowers in executing their loan documents. Signing agents are responsible for the completion of loan documents, and ensure that every signature and initial has been completed, and that the requested borrower information has been provided.
How do I become a signing agent?
Most states do not have additional restrictions for performing loan signings other than holding a current notary commission. Signing services, title and closing companies, escrows, and banks have their own set of standard practices and desired qualifications for the signing agents they hire. The loan signing industry recommends the following steps to increase your chances of being hired by a wide range of companies.
1. Signing agents must be a commissioned notary in their state.
2. Take a Notary Signing Agent Certification Training Course. Once you complete the course and receive your certificate, you are an official Certified Notary Signing Agent.
3. Take and pass a Notary Public Background Check.
4. Purchase a minimum $25,000 Errors and Omissions Insurance policy.
5. Sign up with notary directories, signing services, title and closing companies.
What are the requirements to become a signing agent?
A signing agent must be a commissioned notary.
Are there any signing agent restrictions in my state?
Most states only require a signing agent to have a notary commission. However, some states do have additional restrictions on who can conduct real estate closings. For more information, see Signing Agent State Restrictions.
How long does it take to become a signing agent?
If you are already a commissioned notary public, all you have to do is take a signing agent training course.
Our Notary Signing Agent Certification Training Course teaches you all you need to know in 3 hours.
What is a Certified Signing Agent?
A Certified Signing Agent has taken a signing agent training course and received a certificate of training completion. This certificate proves to signing services that the signing agent is competent at handling loan signing documents and performing loan signings.
Why do I need a background check to be a signing agent?
Banks and lenders require all those involved in the lending process to have a background check. Additionally, signing services and title companies require that everyone with access to loan documents has passed a background check.
How do I get a notary signing agent background check?
You can get a background check at notarypublicbackgroundcheck.com
What does the background check search for?
Social Security Number Trace
Address History
National Criminal File
Sex Offender
OFAC Search
Motor Vehicle Report
Federal District Search
County Criminal – Felony and Misdemeanor
Patriot Act Search
Working as a Signing Agent
What are a signing agent’s duties and responsibilities?
A signing agent is responsible for verifying the identity of the signer, ensuring that loan documents are completed and notarized with all necessary signatures, initials, and dates, and returning the loan package to the signing service.
How do I find signing services?
Some websites are specifically built to help you connect with signing services, including Snapdocs, Notary Rotary, 123notary, and Notarycafe. The more signing services you sign up with, the more opportunities you’ll have.
Signing Agent Supplies and Insurance
What supplies does a notary signing agent need?
A signing agent needs a notary stamp, a smartphone, notary E&O insurance, and a printer. Keeping a notary journal is not required in all states, however, we highly recommend keeping a notary journal in order to better protect yourself from potential lawsuits.
It is essential for a signing agent to keep a notary tax and expense log, since a notary signing agent is responsible for reporting their earnings to the state and the IRS.
What is the best printer for signing agents?
We recommend a Laser/LED Multifunction Printer with two paper trays. A Brother printer that can copy, fax, scan, and has double-sided print capability with two paper trays is best. This way, you can print both letter and legal-size paper without changing the paper in the printer tray. Most lenders will not accept documents printed by an inkjet printer, because they print too slowly and the ink does not permanently bind to the paper.
Do I need signing agent E&O insurance in addition to notary E&O insurance?
No. You do not need signing agent E&O unless a signing service requires it. Some companies say that you need both notary and signing agent E&O; this is because they want to make more money. Most signing services and title companies only require that you have notary E&O insurance.
