Best Mobile Notary Practises to Avoid Costly Errors
1. Invest in Your Education
You need to master identification requirements in your state to be able to quickly identify signing parties. For instance, in Texas, you can accept any federal or state-issued ID that includes a photo, signature, and is unexpired.
Take time to learn all about your state’s identification requirements by checking your state’s notary handbook. In addition, you should take advantage of yearly education and training opportunities presented to you. Remember, regulations change, and you should always keep to date with the most current practices and requirements.
2. Always Require a Signer’s Presence
Although most states have passed regulations that allow remote online notarization, you should request that a signer appears in the flesh before notarizing their signature. After all, you are a mobile notary and not a remote online notary.
Every state defines regulations that you need to follow. Mostly, the requirement is that a signer must appear in the same room, face to face with you. That allows you to check their ID, make sure they are who they say they are, and prevent fraudulent activity. In addition, you must check they are not coerced into signing.
Sometimes a signer may ask you to do them a favor and make an exception for them. However, you need to be firm with this requirement and explain that you cannot bend these state requirements.
3. Take Your Time
Your clients will be in a rush most of the time. After all, that’s one of the reasons to use public notaries, to save time and enjoy more convenient service.
However, you should never allow the signers to rush you. Stay in control, and always double-check that each page is signed with all the correct dates. Rushing to finish the notarization process can lead to errors and potential financial consequences down the road.
At the end of the process, scan the document to ensure the details are correct, there aren’t any blank spaces, and all requirements are met.
4. Be Patient with Your Signers
Just like there are signers trying to rush things, there will be slow clients asking all types of questions. You need to be patient with them and answer all questions to the best of your abilities.
Some clients will get emotional during this process. After all, these situations can be quite stressful as they include some major financial transactions. You need to be a calming presence that will acknowledge their emotions and help them feel comfortable.
Just by being there, listening, communicating openly, and explaining the process, you can ease their worries and speed up the whole appointment.