Notary Notes Blog

The latest notary news for Pennsylvania notaries

PAN

Tips for Mobile Notaries

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In current times, almost anything can be done from the comfort of your own home, even notarizations. A mobile notary can travel from location to location to perform notarizations upon request. Mobile notaries are often called upon to perform notarizations at customer’s homes, businesses, or other locations.

Working as a mobile notary is a rewarding process that gives you the opportunity to meet and help new people. As a mobile notary, you decide how and when to conduct your business. Following these tips can help you succeed when notarizing on the go.

  • Get your name out there. Start a social media page and begin handing out business cards. This can help get your name and the services you offer out to potential customers.
  • Make sure you are easy to reach. You should be readily available to customers by responding to calls, emails, and voicemails in a timely manner.
  • Always be prepared for quick travel. If a client calls and needs a notarization, be prepared to pick up and go without much hesitation. Keep your notary equipment and supplies together in one secure spot so you can quickly grab them and take them to the notarization.
  • Make sure your vehicle is maintained. Making sure that your vehicle is serviced will reduce the risk of a breakdown and allow you to get to all your customers on time.
  • Conduct yourself in a professional manner. Arrive on time, ready to work. Be polite but focus on the reason you are there: to notarize for your customer. Explain the procedure and fees and follow the proper steps for the type of notarization.
  • Follow up with your customer. In a day or two, send your customer an email asking them to review your service and thank them again for their business.

Your professionalism, organization, and preparedness will be appreciated by your customers who will, in turn, spread the word to others for any future notarizations. By standing out among the mobile notaries in your area, you can build lasting customer relationships that will bring more mobile notary business your way.

Signing Agent Versus Notary Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance

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All signing agents are notaries, but not all notaries are signing agents. A notary’s duties stop at performing notarial acts. Signing agents are trained to present loan documents to customers and assist lenders in the closing process. Notary Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance will not cover all losses caused by errors that take place during signings. For more specific coverage, the signing agent needs Signing Agent Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance.

Notary E&O protects the notary when a mistake is made during a notarization that causes the client to suffer a financial loss. Notary E&O only covers notary acts. It does not protect a signing agent when reviewing documents with the customer, providing rescission date calculations, or returning the paperwork to the loan provider.

Signing Agent E&O helps to fill the gaps not covered by Notary E&O Insurance. As an independent signing agent, you have unlimited personal liability for losses caused by errors you make during the signing. Signing Agent E&O Insurance will provide coverage for:

  • Innocent errors or omissions related to signing agent notarial acts
  • Incorrectly dating the right of rescission
  • Missed initial or non-notarized signatures
  • Unauthorized changes to documents
  • Negligence of the signing agent to complete the documents in a timely manner
  • Slow return of date sensitive documents

To qualify for Signing Agent E&O Insurance through PAN’s insurance broker E.R. Munro & Company, you are required to have taken signing agent training and earned certification, hold membership in a professional association, and keep a journal.

It is important to have E&O insurance for both professions. Even if you are innocent, you could still face significant legal expenses for defending yourself in a lawsuit.

If you are a PAN member, contact us for information regarding Notary E&O Insurance. PAN’s Notary E&O policies for members are obtained from our insurance broker E. R. Munro & Company.

If you are not a PAN member but are interested in Notary E&O or for more information on Signing Agent E&O, please visit E. R. Munro & Company or call 877-ERMUNRO (376-8676) to speak with an insurance agent.

The Department of State’s Disciplinary Actions: June 2021

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The Bureau of Election Services and Notaries took the following disciplinary actions against notaries public in June 2021:

  • A Lycoming County notary was suspended for 24 months, immediately stayed in favor of probation, must complete six-hours of notary practice and procedure course(s), was levied an administrative penalty in the amount of $2,000; and probation assessment fees in the amount of $1,200; because they failed to require the personal appearance of two individuals on a specific occasion, failed to require personal appearance generally, failed to maintain a complete notary journal with all required information, and maintained an electronic journal in a non-tamper-evident format.
  • A Philadelphia County notary had their commission revoked based on failure to maintain security over their stamping device by keeping the seal in a box in an easily accessible spot in their workplace, from which the stamp could be accessed by any other person; and failure to properly maintain a journal of notarial acts, by not recording the time of the notarial act; a description of the type of notarial act performed; the issue date of the form of identification used to verify customer identities; and the fee charged.
  • A Philadelphia County notary had their notary public commission revoked based on failure to require the personal appearance of a document signer on several occasions; failure to securely maintain their notary stamping device; failure to notify the Department that her notary stamp was lost or stolen; allowing another individual to use their notary stamp; failure to record in their notary register the character of the notarial act performed and receiving fees for their notary services in excess of the fees fixed by the Secretary.

Notary Knowledge Webinars

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PAN will be holding three interactive webinars July 22nd – 23rd! Our instructors will be discussing a variety of notary topics and participants will be able to put their notary knowledge to the test. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.

Each webinar is free and will be an hour long. These webinars are not state-approved and do not provide credit towards any state-mandated education. You will not receive credit for attending. The attendance limit is 1,000 people per webinar.

Participants will need to register for their desired webinar date and time using the following registration links:

Thursday, July 22nd from 3 – 4pm

Friday, July 23rd from 11am – 12pm

Friday, July 23rd from 3 – 4pm

We look forward to seeing you there!

Help Wanted: Full-Time Notary Public

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Notary Public and Insurance Agency looking for a full time Notary Public established in Bethlehem, PA.

The position offers good pay, flexible hours and a company sponsored retirement plan. Looking for someone to start immediately.

Email (paul@roskoagency.com) or phone 610-868-3638 if you are interested.

PAN’s Recruit-A-Member Program

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Our Recruit-A-Member winner this month is Sandra Frantz. Congratulations!

PAN members can still win cash for bringing new members into the association during this recruiting period.

All members can earn chances to win $100. The current recruiting period is July, August, and September. Just introduce a new member to all the benefits the Association has to offer. Your name will be entered into a drawing to be held October 1. The more members you recruit, the more chances you have to win. The next Recruit-A-Member winner will be announced in October 1, 2021.

Each new member you recruit gives you one chance to win $100. Five new members – means five chances to win. The more members you recruit, the more chances you have to win!

There are four recruitment periods per year, so if you are unable to refer anyone this time, the next recruiting period will be July, August, and September.

A member may win $100 only once in a calendar year. Education providers authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of State, PAN employees and their family members are not eligible for the prize.

Remember, only current PAN members are eligible for the prize and only new PAN members who purchase a First Time Notary Appointment package or Notary Reappointment package will be counted as recruits.

Good Luck!