Originally published June 30, 2018
I talked to a bunch of Notaries who were Fidelity Approved. Most of them were a lot better than average in terms of knowledge, but not all. Apparently, Fidelity scrutinizes them in particular ways, and asks a few questions, but not that many of the questions are Notary questions. I would like to know what their screening system is.
Fidelity approved Notaries do a little bit better on 123notary quizzes, but rarely score high grades because their notary and document technical knowledge is rarely proficient. In my opinion, a certification or approval means very little unless it is specified what qualifications or knowledge it is verifying.
My recommendations are that if they have any individual company type of requirements, that makes sense. But, there should also be requirements based on general notary and document knowledge, otherwise that is a risk to all parties involved. Can someone fill in the blanks for me about what their requirements are?
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Nothing. You have to carrier $100K E&O to sign directly with them.
They usually use their friends, relatives, and close business associates to do the signings.
I get most of my business from all over the country, from other companies.
Comment by Bill — September 18, 2018 @ 3:08 am
Fidelity approved notaries have to have been a notary for a X number of years ( I believe it is 2) I have been FNF approved since 2005 & carry a $100,000 Errors & Ommissions insurance policy, yearly complete a background check, yearly complete the NNA signing agent certification (which I really believe personally only teaches a notary how to perform for signing services) and complete paperwork that is requested.
It is not necessarily that FNG approved notaries are any wiser or more knowledgeable than the Notary next door. We have more than likely been notary/ signing agents alot longer & also completed many more loan signings therefore having dealt with different types of loans and have more experience.
Comment by Maureen Lazar — September 18, 2018 @ 3:21 pm
It ALSO doesn’t mean we have great typing skills or grammar. I meant to type FNF above for Fidelity National Financial.
Being fidelity approved means we can sign for Fidelity, Chicago, Ticor, Lawyers & Alamo Title.
Comment by Maureen Lazar — September 18, 2018 @ 3:30 pm
How do you get fidelity approved?
is there a website loan link you can share?
Comment by Isabelle — September 21, 2018 @ 9:18 pm
Only Fidelity can answer how to get Fidelity approved. Ask them.
Comment by admin — December 11, 2018 @ 9:20 am
Does it mean you can go all over country to perform notary act, or are you just for your state?
Comment by David — May 16, 2019 @ 11:25 am
I agree that one approval or another while they can open doors to work with a given organization don’t mean we’re done with training. I certified via NNA and plan to get more training as time and cash flow permit. It is a best practice in many professions and one such as this it makes complete sense. Yes I am Fidelity Approved. The process wasn’t painful and was required for a particular closing. Today I’m doing some Wells Fargo training. It all serves to help do a better job for those we help.
Comment by Charlton Golding — February 10, 2020 @ 6:41 pm
Great, thanks for sharing this post
Comment by notary republic near me Lakeland — August 4, 2020 @ 10:16 pm
I’m Fidelity approved. You have to have the requirements as stated as well as go through their training such as reporting if borrowers say complain. In the end it resulted in zero business.
People only care about NNA in most cases. E&O get what is statutorily required, additional is up to you.
Comment by Charles Steinmetz — December 21, 2020 @ 4:11 pm
I am Fidelity approved and am not sure how I got there, but I do not have $100,000 E&O and I regularly get calls for $75 jobs which I do not take. The loan paperwork is definitely smaller but otherwise, I don’t see a benefit.
Comment by Lynne — December 21, 2020 @ 4:12 pm
i have done fidelity, chi title, lawyers title ticor and commonwealth signings
I’m not aware of anything special to do the signings..although I’ve completed triple digits over 3-4 years ..
for a number of signing companies and platforms
I believe these special signings came from a signing company
The client was always available and only interested in a job well done… not that i was approved..Get it signed where its supposed to be signed ..no difference what the doc is..
I susupect the signing companies were approved and my assignments came thru them
Comment by Francis A Colavita — December 21, 2020 @ 7:34 pm
thank you dear colleagues for all this useful information. I have been a signing agent for almost a year now and thinking about getting contracted with title companies directly. Thats when I came across Fidelity certified. Are you saying its not worth getting linked with Fidelity? And which signing company is best to work for in your opinion?
Comment by JAMILA DEL MISTRO — April 11, 2021 @ 4:45 pm
i am a brand new notary loan signing agent who has not done any assignments. Based on the research on being fidelity certified, the review were mixed. Do you think it is a good idea to be Fidelty certified now or get a few assignments ‘under my bely’?
Comment by vivienne courseault — May 15, 2021 @ 5:52 pm
I am a new notary loan signing agent who has not yet done any loan signings. based on my research, the reviews were mixed. Is there any benefit for a new agent like me to become Fidelity certified or should I wait until I have a few signings ‘under my belt’?.
Comment by vivienne courseault — May 15, 2021 @ 6:00 pm