The Notary Public Code of Professional Responsibility explains the standards of conduct and ethical behavior expected of notaries. It is designed to assist notaries in the basic principles of their position, and aids state statutes and regulations seem vague or unclear. Whether you complete a notary signing virtually via Remote Online Notarization or in person- following the Notary Public Code of Professional Responsibility is critical.
It is also necessary to stay current on changes to state or national laws that may affect the duties and responsibilities of your notary designation. Below are five tips for performing a virtual or in-person notary signing to keep your client happy and your systems in check:
1. Competency. Before you begin your notary process, ensure that the client you are working with is competent enough to understand what they are signing and why they are signing the documents. If your client is a minor, make sure a parent or guardian is with them at the time of closing.
2. Record Keeping. One significant benefit of using Remote Online Notarization is the organization of your records for the notary signing. While many platforms are available, ensure you are prepared for your meetings and that all documents are uploaded and ready for the client to review and sign. Once your notary signing is done and your records are sealed, your platform will keep all required documents with the notary certificate should you need to revisit it at any time.
3. Legal Advice. This may sound like a no-brainer, but when asked to interpret or explain a written document to your client, avoid providing any legal advice.
4. Identification. While utilizing Remote Online Notarization, the verification of identity is completed on your online platform. Be aware of people who may try to sign a document fraudulently. Whether in-person or virtually, your clients must have acceptable identification, like a driver’s license or passport, before you administer an oath.
5. State and Federal Laws. You must know and understand the state and federal laws of the notary public office. Stay current on whether remote online notarization is legal in the state you are working in, and ensure your efforts comply with laws and guidelines.
A Better Way to Close with BNN Services
Since 2008, BNN Services has been trusted by title agencies, mortgage lenders, servicers, and consumers to perform loan and document signings in multiple languages across the country.
Unlike other signing services, BNN Services “touches” every file 8 to 9 times, ensuring the process moves forward free of delays. That is why we have completed over 250,000 signings in all 51 jurisdictions and maintained a closing ratio of 96 percent.
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