notary public: Notarize it.... 'cuz I said so, that's why!! - 04/17/08 07:02 AM
     I'm a service provider.  Nothing makes me happier than to help a client with their notary needs and to help complete their business documents.  I get frustrated when, like today for example, I receive incomplete documents with blanks.  I kindly instruct my client that the document must be completed prior to notarization especially since this particular document shows dollar amounts and specific, needed dates of other documents.  I also explain that I am not an attorney and neither assist in the wording of nor offer advice as to the content of any incomplete document.  Then, I hear second-hand that a person at the … (16 comments)

notary public: Oops! Are your credentials showing? - 04/16/08 12:34 PM
Oops! Are your credentials showing?
Modified from a previous post made elsewhere by "A Quick Note" 
     I recognize that there is a vast difference in the goals, aspirations, education, training and especially the abilities of the professionals who visit this and other similar sites. This seems to be a theme that runs through all such sites. I must say that the constant mindless chatter seems to be less here and that most of the ridiculous posts are being made elsewhere. While this is a benefit to those who enjoy Active Rain, it is also a detractor to the participation of others...because we are … (0 comments)

notary public: Notaries put their livelihood and freedom on the line for you... - 04/16/08 09:07 AM
Excerpts from: Amendments and New Laws Effective January 1, 2008 [Notary Handbook-California Secretary of State]
           The certificate of acknowledgment now is executed under penalty of perjury (Civil Code section 1189)           In addition to the background check by the Department of Justice, notary public applicants' fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for purposes of a background check. (Government Code section 8201.1)           The notary public journal must contain a notation that the identity of the person making an acknowledgment, or taking an oath or affirmation is based on "satisfactory evidence" and not "personal knowledge" (Government Code section … (2 comments)

notary public: Raise your right hand..."do you solemnly swear or affirm that...." - 04/15/08 06:09 PM
Previously posted elsewhere by "A Quick Note" on May 11, 2007
Hey! CA Notaries: Did you administer your oath today?8214.1. The Secretary of State may refuse to appoint any person asnotary public or may revoke or suspend the commission of any notarypublic upon any of the following grounds:............(k) Failure to administer the oath or affirmation as required byparagraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 8205.Why do I feel like the Lone Ranger when I administer the oath or affirmation?Hmmmm....you afraid you may get into heap-big trouble Kimosabee!
Often, those executing a "sworn" statement (affidavit) look upon me as if I've grown three heads … (11 comments)

notary public: Notaries...Planning your schedule? Plan to change it too... - 04/12/08 03:36 AM

Originally posted elsewhere by "A Quick Note" on April 15, 2007
As a notary signing agent, we are also master-planners. We take phone calls, set appointments, pick-up and deliver documents, catch FEDEX and UPS trucks, navigate traffic situations while printing docs, while waiting for that fax from escrow, while trying to choke down a quick bite..... Then, the escrow officer calls and the docs are being redrawn with a change and are "coming soon", ......or some IDIOT in an f-350 decides to roll his truck and spill its contents across six lanes of freeway, ....or your borrower calls (if he is a courteous … (13 comments)

notary public: What have you done for me lately? - 04/11/08 06:53 PM
What have you done for me lately?
Originally posted elsewhere by "A Quick Note" on June 2, 2007  
     In my former life, I managed fast-food restaurants. The kids who worked for me would ask for raises having done nothing (other than being on the payroll) to earn more compensation. I was often required to give them, what I have since come to describe as "the gum-ball speech". The gum-ball speech, started by reminding them of the commitment they made to show up on time, provide fast friendly service and continue the learning required to become cross-trained and able to work in all the crew … (2 comments)

notary public: California Dreamin'.........Don't give the Notary a hard time! - 04/10/08 08:59 AM
Originally posted elsewhere by "A QUICK NOTE" on May 11, 2007
     I ran across another "lawfully challenged" individual (mortgage broker) yesterday. He just wanted to get his deal done and was truly "put off" by my adherence to the law.  Although he didn't cross over the line, he came very close.  I had to shut him down, which I have no problem doing.  But I sometimes wish I had this item printed on a business card...[I imagine myself whipping it from a holster like a sixgun...somewhere behind me I hear the crack of a whip...]
8225. (a) Any person who solicits, coerces, … (2 comments)

notary public: No real cure for borrowers fears...only levels of comfort with the process - 04/07/08 12:59 PM
 
In my experience, having conducted over 5,000 signings, borrowers often have trepidation at the signing table.  For the most part, mortgage brokers don't even know that the docs have finally come together from the lender and that escrow has sent me to sign their clients.  After their surprise of my calling them to schedule the signing, for which they had no "heads-up", The next thing that happens is "Sticker-Shock" because the estimated closing statement doesn't match what their broker had originally told them...
                                         
Then, they turn to me... and I am forced to say something like: "I am a notary public and not a … (4 comments)

notary public: I'm just a drop of water,...in a river, long and winding... - 04/05/08 02:10 AM
 Playing "office" when I was a kid was always my favorite pastime.  When my friends were excited about sports equipment, toys and games, I was always happiest with a fresh batch of office supplies.  I liked forms and checklists, pens and binder clips.  I was always a CEO or a President and I always had a deadline to meet. 
     One of my favorite photos of my dad showed him (vintage 1963) wearing a dark suit and tie, sitting at a desk, documents in hand and a cigar, perfectly positioned, between his index and middle fingers.  I suppose that photo planted itself deep … (2 comments)

notary public: This tape will self-destruct in 10 seconds...or my head will explode... - 04/02/08 04:22 PM
What is the meaning of life?I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you! 
Perhaps the meaning of life is to enjoy the experiences you share with those you love.  How's that? 
 So many of us get wrapped up into our business that we forget how to "download" properly...  Vacations can even be seen as an annoyance.  Imagine! 
I spent the day finalizing an itinerary for a family trip.  We are planning a total of 16 days in June but have split it into three parts.  5 days on the BIG Island celebrating my wedding anniversary.  Then we meet our two kids for 3 … (2 comments)

notary public: What "pet" names do you find offensive? - 03/31/08 04:59 PM
 When I was a younger guy, I used to work with a gal from somewhere down south.  Her manner of speaking soon rubbed off on those who worked around her and had me referring to women I was friendly with as "Hon" ...(short for honey).  I honestly never meant it as anything more than a friendly way to reference someone I liked...(as in how are you today hon'?)  I used it for several years until I ran into one young woman who told me off but good.  When I immediately apologized and switched my reference to "Ma'am" she became even more offended … (7 comments)

notary public: Networking groups sometimes missing the mark...must be a better way! - 03/30/08 05:01 AM
    Ever feel like you've been to one-too-many mixers, seminars and networking group recruiting breakfasts?  Most give you that cheesy nametag to wear so that insincere social misfits can walk up to you, call you by name, and spend the next 20 minutes blathering on about their local store which, by the way, has "...cornered the cheese-whiz market".  Sometimes, these businesses get around sending an owner and instead, send their newest member of the "management team".  At closer inspection, this young "fireball" who probably shaved for the first time this morning, looks alot like a kid who used to play with your kids in the … (5 comments)

notary public: Campaign buttons...I like the concept! - 03/29/08 05:53 PM
Remember when a campaign button was an effective tool?  If you do, you are surely much older than I am.  Still, I like the simplicity of them.  Today, so much of our advertising is high-tech, internet related or somehow even more impersonal.  Buttons seem to be more tangible and even more valuable to the wearer.  I've been toying with the idea of ordering some form of "premium" for my clients.  A token that I can give to them as both a thank-you for their business and a reminder of my services.  Cheapo pens are not likely.  I figure that if I … (0 comments)

notary public: Remembering those old wounds...Healing nicely thanks! - 03/29/08 05:12 AM
     I remember my writings from last year.  I was in a funk about business being slow.  Several of the lenders, mortgage brokerages and escrow companies we had done considerable work with suddenly closed their doors forever.  It seems that the shock of my new circumstance was difficult for me and I was trying to comprehend it all.  I sometimes put a face on my true feelings by writing about them and then the truth becomes more visible to me.  I'm happy to say that I have recovered from the shock and regained my normally upbeat and positive outlook.  I realize that my … (4 comments)

notary public: Running man brings new meaning to 10k - 03/28/08 08:47 AM
     The running man?  He's my logo and a metaphor for the craziness I experience when business is good.  My best example?: My best day ever-(12) twelve sets of loan documents (across six counties) signed, sealed and delivered.  I left for my first appointment that day at 4AM.  My final appointment concluded at 2AM.
                                                                           
     ...And the 10k?  Anyone who has met me "LIVE and in-person" knows that if I walked a 10k- much less ran one, I'd be a wheezing heart-attack waiting-to-happen long before the finish line...perhaps my tax-day resolution will be to get in shape.  I can mow on … (0 comments)

notary public: An advertising suggestion that makes alot of sense (simplify....) - 03/25/08 11:32 AM
Recently, I asked for friends to review my website...(because yesterday I didn't know what a webmaster was...today I ARE ONE!!)  A comment that came from my brother was about "Branding".  He stated that he saw me shorten my business name to initials only in places throughout the site and that he thought this was a wasted opportunity to remind my customers of my company name.  I was impressed with this as constructive advice that seemed so obvious I was embarrassed I hadn't caught it myself.  What is it about being too close to the project?  I confess that my website is not … (5 comments)

notary public: There is no magic pill for doing what is right... - 03/24/08 04:51 PM
As Notary Signing Agents, there is no magic pill that will protect us from the pitfalls of fraud in the mortgage industry.  There are also no easy answers, no guarantees that we will not be approached by those less scrupulous characters in our society intent on doing fraud. 
Our real protection  (and the protection of all parties involved in the transaction) comes from the NSA having been properly trained, being aware of good notary practice, and both demonstrating and exercising those standards in the face of those who would prefer we bend the rules. 
Our mandate is to act as a disinterested … (8 comments)

notary public: Why the "bad guys" continue to get away with things...FRAUD=BAD - 03/20/08 07:32 AM
I recently was approached by an unethical person who apparently wished to engage a Notary, ...any Notary, in an endeavor whereby the act of notarization itself made the document a fraud.  He apparently knew that this was an illegal act, and was fishing for a sucker so that he could say to others: "Look how many idiot notaries I've caught with my dumb trick".  It was a situation where he was doing it either for laughs or to prove how clever he was...
                                        
Attempting to induce a Notary into committing fraud is in and of itself a crime.  The issue seems to be … (4 comments)

notary public: Want advice? Don't bet on horses with long tails... - 03/19/08 12:29 PM
In my experience, having conducted over 5,000 signings, borrowers often have trepidation at the signing table.  For the most part, mortgage brokers don't even know that the docs have finally come together from the lender and that escrow has sent me to sign their clients.  After the surprise of my calling them to schedule the signing, for which they had no "heads-up", The next thing that happens is "Sticker-Shock" because the estimated closing statement doesn't match what the broker had originally told them...
Then, they turn to me... and I am forced to say something like: "I am a notary public and not a broker … (3 comments)

notary public: "Just another day in paradise..." - 03/19/08 03:36 AM
I am drawn to catch phrases and use them daily in my life. I thought that it might be fun to share a few of the many I use and see if anyone else does this too!
"If you can't get out of it, you have to get into it"
"Keep your chin up"
"Fake it, 'til you make it"
"It's a great day to be young and insane"
"...so broke I can't even pay attention"
"Three rules of management: 1. Don't lie to me.  2. Don't steal from me. 3. God help you if you embarrass me".
When taking fingerprints: "I always get a little nervous when someone is too … (3 comments)