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April 10, 2018

Document dates, signature dates, rescission dates and transaction dates

As a Notary, you will undoubtedly be confronted with a variety of dates that all need to be clearly defined in conversation so as not to confuse yourself or the other party. Let me sum these up.

Document Dates
The document date is NOT necessarily the date the document is notarized. It is merely an arbitrary date normally created by the document drafter that might reflect the date the document was drafted, supposed to be signed, supposed to be notarized, or some other arbitrary date. There is no rule for when a document date can be.

Signature Dates
The signature date of a document is the date it was signed. If you have two signers signing on different dates, you might have what 123notary calls “a double date.” There are multiple questions involved in a double date. One is how do you date the rescission document if the date you signed a document is more than one date. The other far more important question is — who pays?

Rescission Dates
The rescission date is based on a date that comes CALENDAR three days after the transaction (= signature date) not including Sundays or Federal holidays. If you have two signature dates, you might have two rescission dates, one per person. But, if there is only one rescission date, it probably is based on the last signature (complicated.)

Transaction Dates
This is more of a glossary type term or test term. The transaction date is the date when the transaction happened which is based on the date of the signature. I ask people what the synonym is for a signature date to see how much they read.

Medjool Dates
If you go to a signing for health conscious people or Saudi’s, after the signing, you might get yet another type of a date — a Medjool date. These dates are typically grown in the Middle East, but also in parts of Arizona near Yuma

Hot Dates Q&A
If you steal a document, would the date on the document be correctly defined as being a “hot date” since it was technically stolen?

Dates and Journal Entries
A good Notary does more than his/her state’s minimum requirements for journal entries. There is a field in your journal for the name and/or description of the document. A good journal also has an optional field for the document date. I suggest you pay attention and write in the document date as it helps to identify a particular document and distinguish it from a different document with the same name signed by the same person. Sometimes the document date is the only way to tell them apart.

Dates and Notary Appointments
I once went to a Notary appointment with a date. I left the date in the car and came out $30 richer. She complained that I left her in the car too long, which is good, because that date would expire at midnight.

Please also read our previous article on the same topic. Read more…

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March 23, 2012

Notarization Dates, Document Dates & Signature Dates!

We had this question as a Facebook competition question. It was fun, but we got too many wrong answers which is a little bit disconcerting.  There are different dates you have to be aware of as a notary. Some are more important than others, and each date has its own function.
 
Signature Dates
The date the signer signs the document is the signature date of the particular signature.  There are cases when a husband and wife will sign the same document, but on different dates.  People are busy, and two notaries could handle the same paperwork on two separate days with two separate signers.  Those split signings are tricky, and are more likely to have to be redrawn.  But, just as long as you get paid, don’t stress!
 
Notarization Dates
The date you notarize someone’s signature is the notarization date.  The date corresponds to the signature, not the document.  A document could be signed by more than one party on different dates.  Or an addendum could be added and signed on another date as well.  Its complicated.
 
Document Dates
This is the question that 90% of the notaries got wrong.  I had very few choices of contestants to put in the drawing to win Starbucks!  The document date is NOT necessarily the date the document was drawn up, although it usually is.  It generally should not be dated after the signing to avoid confusion.  It is often dated the day the signing is intended to happen on, and is often dated the day it was drawn, or sometime in between.  There is no rule governing when the document date can be.  The function of this date is to be an identifying mark on the document to distinguish it from other documents.  Of course, if you have ten documents all entitled, “Affidavit“, to be signed by the same two parties, and all having the same document date, it really doesn’t narrow it down.
 
Your Journal
If you live in a state that doesn’t require journals, please don’t read this paragraph.  Actually, do read it, and get a journal anyway.  Your journal of official notarial acts is your record of all notary acts that you have done in your commission. It is evidence if you ever have to go to court, or if you are ever questioned about a particular act. It adds to the integrity of the notarization and safeguards against fraud, especially when you take thumbprints for all documents (optional, but recommended).   If a fraudulent notarization takes place with someone impostering you, without your journal, you will never have proof that you didn’t notarize that person. Journals keep records in sequential order, so you can go back to July 3rd, 2003, and see that you indeed never notarized Shelly Deeds and her Deed.
 
Backdating
In your career, you will most likely eventually be asked to put a fraudulent date on your notarial certificate which is refered to as backdating. This is illegal, and you can lose your commission as a result, if you get caught.  A lender might need you to date the certificate for the 27th, when its the 28th, so that the borrowers can keep their lock. Its their problem, don’t get involved.  Lose the client and keep out of jail! Please see our blog article entitled “Backdating from A to Z

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November 15, 2024

How to Properly Notarize Multi-Page Documents

Filed under: Notary Public 101 — Tags: — Tom Wilkins @ 12:00 am

Dealing with multi-page documents can be daunting for homeowners and business owners, especially when notarization is required. Knowing how to properly notarize multi-page documents for legal compliance can save you time, prevent delays, and protect you from legal issues. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to ensure accurate and legally compliant notarization every time.

Why Proper Notarization Matters?

Notarizing multi-page documents is more than just applying a stamp. It involves verifying signatures, ensuring completeness, and confirming the legal authenticity of the entire document. Mistakes, such as missing pages or incorrect certificates, can lead to rejected documents, wasted time, and potential legal disputes. Understanding how to properly notarize multi-page documents for legal compliance is essential for avoiding these problems.

Step 1: Review the Entire Document Thoroughly

Before you begin notarizing, review the entire document to ensure it is complete.

Check for Missing Pages

Ensure that all pages are present and in the correct order. Missing or misplaced pages can ensure the document is valid. Pay close attention to any missing sections that could be filled in later without your oversight.

Look for Blank Spaces

Verify that the document is free of blank spaces. Blank spaces could be altered after notarization, potentially leading to fraud or disputes. Ask the signer to fill in any blank fields or cross them out if they are intentionally left blank.

Step 2: Use Notary Certificates Properly

Usually, the notary certificate is on the last page of a multi-page document. However, this isn’t always the case; additional steps may be needed.

Attach a Loose Certificate When Necessary

If the document doesn’t have a built-in notary certificate, attach a loose certificate. Based on the requirements, choose the appropriate type, such as an acknowledgment or a jurat. Complete the certificate, including your signature and seal, and reference the document.

Number the Pages

Add page numbers to the entire document manually or with a page-numbering stamp. Noting “Page X of Y” helps verify the document’s completion and prevents pages from being altered or removed later.

Step 3: Verify the Signer’s Identity and Signatures

One of the most crucial steps in properly notarizing multi-page documents for legal compliance is confirming the signer’s identity. This process is essential for maintaining the integrity of the notarization.

Check Identification

Examine the signer’s government-issued ID to verify their identity. Make sure the name on the ID matches the name on the document. If there are multiple signers, repeat this process for each person.

Ask the Signer to Initial Each Page

Have the signer initial every page of the document. This practice helps confirm that each page is part of the original document. Initialing reduces the risk of tampering or page substitution.

Step 4: Apply Your Notary Seal Correctly

The notary seal is critical to the notarization process, especially for multi-page documents. An improperly applied seal can invalidate the notarization.

Placement of the Notary Seal

Place the seal near your signature on the notary certificate. Make sure it is clear and legible. If space is tight, use an embosser seal instead to avoid covering important text.

Double-Check Seal Details

Ensure the seal includes your name, commission number, and expiration date. For the notarization to be valid, all details must be visible. Double-check the seal’s clarity before completing the process.

Final Review and Completion

After applying the seal, conduct a final review of the entire document. Check again for missing initials, blank spaces, or incorrect details. This final step can save you from having to redo the notarization.

Ensure Legal Compliance with Every Step

Properly notarizing multi-page documents is vital for maintaining their legal integrity. By following the steps to properly notarize multi-page documents for legal compliance, you can avoid common errors and provide a reliable service to your clients. From reviewing each page thoroughly to applying the notary seal correctly, your attention to detail ensures the document’s authenticity. For more expert advice on enhancing your notary practice, please look at our social media tips for notaries.

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November 8, 2024

Notarizing Documents with Multiple Signatures

Filed under: Best Practices — Tags: — Tom Wilkins @ 12:00 am

Notarizing documents with multiple signatures requires careful handling to ensure accuracy and compliance. Whether you’re a homeowner managing real estate paperwork or a business owner overseeing contracts, notarizing documents correctly is essential to avoid legal issues. This article covers the best practices for notarizing documents with multiple signatures correctly, helping you achieve a smooth, error-free process for all parties involved.

Know Your Document and Its Requirements

  1. Confirm Each Signer’s Intent

Each signer should understand the document’s purpose and agree to sign willingly. In documents with multiple signatures, notaries must confirm each individual’s intent to sign, ensuring there are no misunderstandings. This verification step safeguards against future disputes, establishing that all parties know their role in the agreement.

  1. Verify Identification for Each Signer

Proper identification is vital for each signer. As a best practice for notarizing documents with multiple signatures correctly, each signer’s identity should be verified with a valid, government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. Recording this information in your notarial journal provides an additional layer of security and documentation.

Organize the Signing Process

  1. Schedule a Group Signing, if Possible

If all signers can attend the appointment together, the process is often smoother, and any questions can be addressed directly. However, if this is not feasible, each signer must appear individually before the notary, with each signing logged as a separate entry.

  1. Ensure Documents Are Complete

Before signatures are added, review the document to make sure there are no blank spaces where information could be added later. Signers should initial any changes during the session to prevent alterations after notarization, ensuring the document remains accurate and reliable.

Document Each Signature Separately

  1. Maintain a Detailed Notary Journal

A well-kept notary journal is essential for multi-signature documents. Each signature should be documented separately with details like the signer’s name, the type of document, the date, and any identification details. This practice provides a comprehensive record, offering protection in case of disputes and showcasing high professionalism.

  1. Optional: Keep Copies of Signed Pages

Though optional, making copies of signed pages before returning the document can be beneficial for record-keeping, mainly if questions arise later. Always request permission before making copies, as some documents contain sensitive information.

Address Special Situations

  1. Multiple Notarizations for Different Sections

Some multi-signature documents, such as affidavits in real estate agreements, may require separate notarizations for different sections. Confirm the document’s notarization requirements in advance to ensure all necessary sections are handled appropriately.

  1. Remote and International Signers

If any signers are out-of-state or international, understand your jurisdiction’s guidelines for remote notarization or any special requirements for foreign signers. Verifying these steps prevents delays and ensures compliance with all necessary protocols.

Prioritize Accuracy in Multi-Signature Notarizations

Handling documents with multiple signatures requires a structured approach. By verifying each signer, managing the signing process efficiently, and keeping thorough records, notaries can follow best practices for notarizing documents with multiple signatures correctly, ensuring a reliable and legally compliant result. For more professional tips, check out our article on the notary dress code to make a great impression at every appointment.

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October 4, 2024

Rules for Notarizing Documents for Bedridden Persons

Filed under: (2) Technical and Legal — Tags: — Tom Wilkins @ 4:38 pm

Notarizing important documents when individuals are bedridden can present unique challenges. Mobile notaries must be familiar with the legal requirements and rules for notarizing documents for bedridden persons to ensure the process is smooth and compliant. This guide will outline key regulations to provide a stress-free, legally valid notarization experience.

Understanding the Situation

Before starting the notarization process, mobile notaries must assess the bedridden individual’s condition. Bedridden signers may have difficulties with mobility, communication, or even physical signing, requiring the notary to approach the situation with sensitivity while adhering to legal standards.

Rule 1: Verify the Individual’s Identity

  1. Importance of Proper Identification

Verifying the signer’s identity is essential. Bedridden individuals must provide valid government-issued photo identification, like a driver’s license or passport. If such identification is unavailable, alternative verification methods like credible witnesses can be used.

  1. Using Credible Witnesses

Credible witnesses are an alternative if bedridden individuals lack current identification. Most states allow two witnesses who know the signer but are uninvolved in the transaction to verify identity. This rule is beneficial for bedridden individuals who may not have updated IDs.

Rule 2: Confirm the Signer’s Willingness and Awareness

  1. Ensuring Mental Competence

The notary must confirm that the bedridden individual is fully aware of the document they are signing and is willing to do so. It’s crucial to ask questions to verify the signer understands the document’s nature and isn’t under pressure.

  1. Avoiding Coercion

Notaries should be alert for signs of coercion and halt the process if the bedridden person seems pressured to sign. Ensuring the signer is free from external influence is a key responsibility of the notary.

Rule 3: Accommodating Physical Limitations

  1. Signature by Mark or Direction

Bedridden individuals who cannot physically sign can use a “signature by mark,” such as an X, or direct another person to sign for them. The notary must witness this, and the process should be documented according to state regulations.

  1. Use of Assistive Devices

If bedridden individuals use assistive devices to sign, the notary must confirm they are doing so independently. Witnessing this act is necessary to ensure the validity of the notarization.

Rule 4: Comply with State Laws on Remote and In-Person Notarizations

  1. Remote Online Notarization (RON)

Some states allow Remote Online Notarization (RON), which lets notaries conduct video notifications. This can be an accessible option for bedridden individuals, but mobile notaries must ensure they follow local laws regarding RON.

  1. In-Person Notarization Requirements

In states that require in-person notarization, notaries must travel to the bedridden individual’s location. Mobile notaries should be prepared for this, ensuring all necessary supplies are available for an on-site notarization.

Adhering to Proper Notarization Procedures

Notarizing documents for bedridden individuals involves extra care, but following the legal requirements and rules for notarizing documents for bedridden persons ensures a smooth, valid process. Notaries must verify identity, confirm awareness, accommodate physical limitations, and comply with state laws. For business owners and homeowners, staying organized and keeping track of business expenses ensures smoother transactions.

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September 6, 2024

How to Notarize Documents Lacking Signature Lines

Filed under: (2) Technical and Legal — Tags: — Tom Wilkins @ 7:24 pm

In legal documents, a clear signature line is often essential. However, there are times when you might encounter a document that lacks this crucial element. As a homeowner or business owner, knowing how to notarize documents without a signature line for validity is key to ensuring your agreements remain legally binding and recognized. This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to confidently handle these situations.

Understanding the Role of Signature Lines

Signature lines are the designated area for parties to indicate their agreement and consent. In legal documents, this is critical for establishing authenticity. However, certain documents—especially informal agreements or older forms—may lack a pre-printed signature line. When this happens, it is important to know how to notarize the document properly to maintain its validity.

Steps to Notarize Documents Without a Signature Line

1. Review the Document Carefully

Before notarizing, thoroughly review the document. Look for any area that might logically serve as a place for a signature, even if it’s not explicitly marked. Pay attention to the content to ensure no missing elements could impact its validity.

2. Choose the Appropriate Signature Placement

When a document lacks a signature line, consult with the signer to determine the most appropriate place for their signature. Typically, this should be at the end of the document, near the concluding statements, or immediately after the final paragraph. The key is placing the signature where it logically fits the document’s content and intent.

3. Attach a Notarial Certificate

Add a notarial certificate to the document to ensure the notarization’s validity. This certificate will identify the document, the date of notarization, and the parties involved. It should also confirm that the signer appeared before you and acknowledged the document’s contents. A notarial certificate is essential for validating a notarized document without a pre-existing signature line.

Types of Notarial CertificatesAcknowledgment Certificate

An acknowledgment certificate is commonly used when the signer acknowledges they signed the document willingly. In the absence of a signature line, this certificate is especially useful. It confirms that the signer appeared before the notary and affirmed the signature on the document is their own.

Jurat Certificate

A jurat certificate is typically used when the signer swears to or affirms the truthfulness of the document’s contents under oath. When notarizing a document without a signature line, you can attach a jurat to confirm the signer personally appeared before you and signed the document in your presence. This is often required for affidavits or sworn statements.

Adhering to State Notary Laws

Laws regarding notarization can differ from state to state, so it’s crucial to comply with your local regulations. Some states may have specific requirements for notarizing documents without signature lines, such as mandatory wording or special notarial certificates. Check your state’s notary laws to avoid any potential legal complications.

Clear Communication with the Signer

Clear communication is vital when dealing with documents that lack signature lines. Explain the process to the signer, including where they should sign and the role of the notarial certificate. This builds trust and ensures the signer understands how the notarization process works for their document.

Ensuring Validity in Unconventional Situations

Notarizing documents without a signature line may seem challenging, but following the correct steps ensures their legal validity. By understanding how to notarize documents without a signature line for validity, you can provide accurate, reliable services to homeowners and business owners. Always stay informed about state laws, use the appropriate notarial certificates, and communicate clearly with your clients to ensure smooth transactions. With the right approach, you’ll maintain high-quality service while handling any notarization challenge. To further grow your business, explore strategies to create more demand for my notary business.

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January 15, 2020

Your experience matters, but you need to document it clearly

Filed under: Advertising — admin @ 9:29 am

Notaries brag all day long about how experienced they are. Nobody wants to hear your bragging. These same Notaries who verbally boost themselves up are the same Notaries who don’t always login to their listing to document their experience.

Remember – when you tell a caller how experienced you are, only one person hears you; When you indicate in your listing how many loans you have signed (in the # of loans signed box please) and indicate in your notes what types of loans and documents you’ve signed, thousands can read that information and hence hear you.

I have found that many Notaries, particularly the free listings do not login to their listing much. I remove many who don’t login and we hear from them years after the fact. When I put them back online, they rarely update their # of loans signed. Often when I confirm the information with them I inform them that their profile states they signed 50 loans. I get this loud reaction such as, “Oh, no it’s WAYYYYY more than that.” My attitude is – don’t tell me, tell your listing. Thousands read it, so why not maintain it?

A well maintained listing gets over 1000 views per year.

Many notaries are vague about the type of experience they have and spend more time discussing their Real Estate or teaching career in their notes section. Be specific about what types of loans you know how to sign. Go through them one by one. Discuss your professional background clearly too. Don’t just say that you were in the mortgage industry. Tell us what role you played in that industry. Specifics sell.

SUMMARY
When you brag to a caller – one person hears your information; When you fill in your # of loans signed & notes – 1000 people hear your information;

It takes a minute to fill in your # of loans signed and you should update that several times per year. Many people let it slide for many years. If 123notary feels that your # of loans signed indicates that you are doing almost nothing, not maintaining your listing, or making outrageous claims of having signed more loans that humanly possible – we notice. Try to just publish helpful and truthful information and keep it updated. Thanks!

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March 26, 2018

Quick information about loan documents

Filed under: Loan Signing 101 — admin @ 10:52 am

On our certification quiz, we ask a few questions about loan documents. For more detailed information, query our courses, but these are going to be quick pointers that we often quiz about.

The Deed of Trust / Mortgage
The Deed of Trust is the security instrument. It also goes over prepayment penalties and late fees. It goes over the address of the Lender and the Borrower as well as a lot of other information which we do not quiz on.

The Note
The Note contains the general terms or general business terms of the loan. It is the best place to look for information about prepayment penalties, when the first payment is due, loan amount, and other general terms of the loan.

The Right to Cancel
As a Signing Agent, you must know how to date a Right to Rescind or Right to Cancel. For a home owner borrower, they are given three days not including Sundays and Federal holidays. Please do not say three business days as the days are calendar days not business days, but not including Sunday, Federal Holidays, or the date of the signing. The borrower can cancel up to midnight on the third day to rescind and can cancel in writing.

The CD
This document has a lot of quick information on certain information about the loan, fees and payoffs. Although it mentions that you will or will not have a prepayment penalty, it does not go over the terms of the prepayment penalty.

First Payment Letter
This document goes over information regarding the first payment due.

Owner’s Affidavit
This document goes over maintenance issues regarding the subject property as well as occupancy status and other information about the property.

Occupancy Affidavit
The Occupancy Affidavit states that the borrower will move into the subject property within sixty days and will stay there as a primary residence for a year, or possibly two years or six months in some cases depending on how the document was drafted. I have only seen this document state a one year occupancy requirement in my experience.

Compliance Agreement
The Compliance Agreement makes the borrower agree to furnish additional information to the lender if requested after the signing. It also makes the borrower agree to cooperate if the Lender needs changes to clerical errors signed off on by the borrower.

Correction Agreement LPOA
This document has the borrower give consent to let the Lender / Title make changes to clerical and typographical errors to the documents on their own after the signing

1003 Residential Loan Application
The 1003 document typically has lots of information about the borrower including how many years of school they had, and other personal information. It is typical for this document to have clerical errors, however, those errors do not affect the final status of the loan.

APR
The APR is typically higher than the rate as it includes some of the fees and closing costs and is compounded.

The information in this section have to do with frequently asked questions. This information in this section is brief, and does not constitute a thorough knowledge of loan documents, but this is typically what we ask about in our over the phone quiz, so please learn this material well.

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October 16, 2017

Notary Public 101 — POA, DOR, Dates, X

Return to the table of contents for Notary Public 101.

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ADDITIONAL TOPICS

These are really more loan signing topics, but I will include them in this basic Notary course since these are Notarized documents.

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POWER OF ATTORNEY

Notaries need to know the terms for the people involved in a Power of Attorney signing. The principal is the main person who signs the document who is the Grantor. This is the person who gives power of attorney to someone else to do tasks for him/her while he/she is incapacitated or out of the country. The Grantee is the same person as the Attorney in Fact or otherwise known as Agent. It is important to know these words and yes, we do test on them. However, at loan signings, people will do what is called a Power of Attorney signing. This happens when there is a completed Power of Attorney document and the Attorney in Fact will sign a loan on behalf of the principal. In these signings, they get rejected half the time for technicalities, so pay attention.

There are various ways for an Attorney in Fact to sign in their capacity.

John Smith as Attorney in Fact for Mary Smith
Mary Smith by John Smith, her Attorney in Fact.
John Smith POA for Mary Smith

There are more variations, but those are some common ones. The key thing to understand her is that:

The Lender decides the verbiage when you do a POA loan signing. The Notary might know the “correct” verbiage. However, legal information sites cite at least eight ways an AIF could sign in a POA signing that are all not BAD. The signing will be rejected if you do not sign exactly how the lender wants it. So, if there are no written instructions, ask the Lender.

How can I get a Power of Attorney Notarized?

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DEED OF RECONVEYANCE

The Deed of Reconveyance (DOR, not DOA by the way) is often signed by the Trustee and often has the term Trustee inscribed in the signature area instead of someone’s actual name which is very confusing and leads to trouble on a regular basis. Many Notaries have the borrower sign where it says trustee. Usually the trustee is a Lender, or might be the borrower in one of his capacities. If you are not sure who the Trustee is, then ask before you have someone sign there. It is safer to leave this form unsigned than guessing, otherwise you might cause a delay to the Lender and get fired. So, if you are not sure what to do, don’t have anyone sign where it says Trustee.

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DOCUMENT DATES

In the Notary world there are four types of dates. Transaction dates, rescission dates, document dates, and signature dates. The day you sign is the signature date and generally the transaction date. The rescission date is the last day to rescind. But, the document date is arbitrary and is created by the document drafter. It is normally either the day the document was drafted, the date it is intended to be signed, or an arbitrary date. There is no rule for what that date can be.

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SIGNATURE by X

If a signer is partially incapacitated and cannot sign their full name, many states will allow a Signature by X procedure. The procedure can vary state by state, but the way I was trained is as follows. The principal signs an X on the document and in your journal. There should be TWO SUBSCRIBING WITNESSES who witness the person sign. Witness #1 signs the person’s first name to the left of the X and witness #2 signs the person’s middle and last name to the right of the X. Do the same in the journal. Add a note to the document to let the readers and custodian know what happened as they might not be familiar with this procedure. Keep the phone numbers and ID info of the witnesses in your journal just in case.

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August 27, 2017

How many journal entries do you use for two signers on three documents?

Filed under: Journals — Tags: , — admin @ 11:51 pm

Many states don’t require a journal. However, your journal is your only evidence if you are investigated. As a Notary, for every 3000 Notary appointments (not acts) you do, you will probably be investigated once based on my personal experience. If fraud is involved on anybody’s part and you don’t have a journal entry, you will have no evidence and could be pulled into court for weeks which would result in your loss of income.

Additionally, we recommend the use of thumbprints in your journal for all critical notarizations, especially those involving Power of Attorney documents Living Wills, or Deeds affecting real estate. It only takes a few seconds to thumbprint someone. A thumbprint cannot be faked, but ID can, so you have no reason not to take thumbprints, and plenty of security related reasons to do so. NNA sells inkless thumbprinters for about $15.

If your state doesn’t require journals, use one anyway for your protection.

Back to the question. If there are TWO signers and THREE documents, you will need SIX journal entries. One per document per signer. What some Notaries do is they create one journal entry per signer and then indicate a list of all the notarized documents they signed. This is wrong and perhaps illegal. Not only is it bad to only create one journal entry per signer, but you might forget to add a document, or if there are cross outs after the fact it will look very sketchy.

However, you don’t need to write all of the info for each journal entry. The signer’s name, address, and ID information can be copied by putting a down arrow or “ditto” quotation marks. However, legally, the signer needs to sign for each document that is notarized and the name of the document, date, time, and type of notary act needs to be indicated for each document.

Additionally, there is an “additional notes” section of each journal entry near the right. If the building looks unusual you can take notes about the building. If the signer is acting weird or looks weird or has a tattoo on his neck or anything else unusual, you should write that in your journal to jog your memory if you ever have to go to court.

I did about 7000 Notary appointments and they all became a blurr to me. The only people I remember were Gary, the guy who blew up his apartment while experimenting with explosives (not a good idea) and a Korean lady who had me notarize the sales of her massage parlors (she paid cash). I also remember Dr. Kwak (pronounced Dr. Quack) who was an acupuncturist. I vaguely remember an impatient rich guy who lived in West Hollywood, did business deals in his pajamas, and played golf. And of course Mr. Yee the Attorney who had me do all of the Health Care Directives each with 80 pages of which I embossed every single page every single time to be prudent.

So, the moral of the story is that if you don’t know how to use your journal like a pro, the NNA has tutorials that you can purchase, and they are highly recommended as they could keep you out of court (or jail.) Or both!

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What entities might want to see your journal?
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=20902

NNA – what every notary needs to know about notary journals
https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2014/10/what-every-notary-needs-to-know-about-journals

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