Signing Agent Tip: 5 Common Loan Signing Mistakes

Updated 5-15-23. George Bernard Shaw once said, “Success does not consist of never making mistakes but in never making the same one twice.” We all make mistakes. But as Notary Signing Agents, those mistakes can create significant issues for all parties involved. Fortunately, knowledge is power and knowing what some common errors are could help you to avoid them in the first place:

1. Something is missing from the loan document package
2. The Notary stamp is illegible
3. Missing identification on the Patriot Act Form
4. Incorrect Notary acknowledgments
5. Not following directions

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Source: National Notary Association

Duping Notaries: The tricks fraudsters use

It isn’t always easy for Notaries to spot someone trying to commit fraud — whether it’s mortgage fraud, deed fraud or simply elder financial abuse. Because these frauds involve high-dollar value transactions, they typically require notarization so scammers need to get a forged signature past the Notary.

For the fraudster, the goal is simple: to get you to skip the requirement to have the signer personally appear before you or accept the ID of an impostor.

Source: National Notary Association

3 Tips for Notarizing Travel Documents for Children

Updated 5-15-23. With COVID restrictions easing in many areas and summer vacations on the way, Notaries may receive requests to notarize permission forms for children traveling abroad. Here's what you need to know about these forms.

According to the USA.gov website, if a child is traveling abroad with one parent, the other parent must supply a notarized letter granting permission. While U.S. customs officials do not always ask for this documentation, many countries do, and failure to produce notarized permission letters could result in being denied entry.

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Source: National Notary Association

How to Notarize for a Signer who has Power of Attorney

Imagine you are asked to notarize a signature — and you realize the individual whose signature is on the document isn't present. "I'll sign it," says the person who brought you the document. "I have power of attorney to act for them."

Can you perform the notarization? It depends on your state law, the type of document involved and there may be special rules to follow. Here are 5 important things to know before you notarize for a signer claiming power of attorney.

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Source: National Notary Association