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November 16, 2016

Examples of great notes sections

Filed under: Popular on Facebook (shares),Your Notes Section — Tags: — admin @ 11:14 pm

Here are some notes sections that I feel are the best. If you stumbled upon a great notes section, you can recommend that I add it to the list as well. A good notes section is key to successful notary advertising!
To view these listings, just visit

http://www.123notary.com/notary-search.asp
And look up by n#

Thorough & Organized
22903
16383
15321
9639
22459
21162
18467
5745
4559
17098
7933
9741 Saliva Tests
1692

Short & Sweet
26885
922
1015
40077
37695

Good References & Lists of Capabilities
7557
8210
4952
21188
1585
1970
28750
28369
4544

Unusual
40770
15651
12886 Sand Ceremony
15651

More
7904
19734
7134
13404
9414
3325
22417
3639

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You might also like:

Unique phrases for notes sections from the Ninja course
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=14690

Notary Marketing 102 – your notes section
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=19788

Buzzwords to avoid in your notes section
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=19054

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November 15, 2016

How to spot fake ID at a notarization

Most Notaries study Notary law. But, do we keep handbooks that are up to date about spotting fake ID’s? Perhaps we should . Our primary task as a Notary is not to make people feel good, and is not to get the job done either. It is to identify signers and make sure that fraud doesn’t take place. It is better to say “no” rather than to get a Notary job done wrong — hence the name “no”–tary. Otherwise we would be yestaries and the world would go down the tubes.

ID Handbooks
The NNA and other vendors have books going over every state’s identification documents. They can tell you about distinguishing features, new watermarks, and other telltale signs that the ID is genuine.

Jeremy’s Solution — an online ID database
Personally, I think there should be a computer system to let the Notary look you up on a Federal or state database — but, that’s just me.

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Things to look for one the ID

(1) Physical Description
Sometimes the physical description doesn’t match the signer. With ladies changing their hairstyle frequently, it is hard to tell their identity.

(2) Mispellings
Then, there could be misspellings in the name or a wrong name variation.

(3) Tampering
Obvious signs of tampering are almost a guarantee of a fake ID. I saw one of those once and only once.

(4) Watermarks
Finally watermarks are used in identification documents and currency to prove authenticity. It is possible, but hard for a fraud to replicate an authentic watermark. In China I’m sure they’ll figure it out as faking things is their specialty. But, for the rest of us it would not be so easy.

(5) Lack of raised lettering
Many of the newer ID’s have raised lettering. However, without a guidebook, you won’t know which states and which identification years of issue have raised letters.

(6) What’s your sign?
Ask the signer their sign. If they are using a fake ID with wrong DOB it will be very difficult for them to immediately recite their sign. You can also ask for their zip code to spot a fraud.

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Most Notaries do not inspect ID’s carefully. They just record the information in their journal. Unless something fake is jumping out at them, they will not notice that something is wrong. It pays to get a handbook and become and expert. After all, the whole point of being a Notary is to deter fraud. In my opinion, each state’s Notary division should require all Notaries to be experts at spotting fake ID’s in addition to other critical related skills. Maybe one day technology and training will improve.

Smokey bear says — say no to forest fires. Notary Jer says — say no to fake notary identifications — if you can spot them.

You might also like:

Seven error free ways to identify a signer
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=15288

Notarized document expired identification
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=8294

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November 14, 2016

Trump caught on mike with a Notary

Filed under: Andy Cowan,Popular on Facebook (A little) — admin @ 11:10 pm

Trump Caught on Hot Mike with a Notary!

We’ve all heard the scandalous 2005 tape by now of Trump with Billy Bush talking about how he can grope women with reckless abandon, simply because he’s a star and can get away with anything. Well now 123notary has unearthed an exclusive tape from 2006 of Trump talking to a notary between takes on season 3 of The Apprentice!

Trump: Did you see that babe’s signature? That thing had more curves on it than she does. I give it a ten.

Notary: Of course I saw it. I’m a notary. Although I prefer the professional “witness” over “see”. I also prefer that other signature over there.

Trump: That’s a flat signature. A flat signature can’t be a ten. Speaking of curves, I’d like to grade her on a curve. I give her a nine. Put it this way: I wouldn’t kick her out of bed. And I can get her into bed, because I’m a star. Now, if I was grading Rosie O’Donnell on a curve, she’d be a negative three. Imagine how low she’d be if I wasn’t grading her on a curve?

Notary: Mr. Trump, why are you groping my seal?

Trump: I’m a star. I can grope anything I want to. I like how it’s not flat. Do you remember that contestant who made fun of my hair?

Notary: The one you said “you’re fired” to?

Trump: I’m suing her. I want you to notarize a demand letter.

Notary: Are you demanding I do that?

Trump: Notarize two demand letters.

Trump notices curvy contestant coming his way.

Trump: Ooh-la-la. I better down these Tic Tacs. Not that my breath isn’t the best breath that anyone ever had.

Notary: Better than a baby’s breath?

Trump: Please. My breath has it all over a baby’s breath. I like the formula for obscene wealth. Not the formula you suck on when you’re not busy sucking on… Hello, my darling!

Curvy contestant: Hi, Mr. Trump.

Trump: Good thing I’m between wives, but hey, if I can cheat on my taxes, I can cheat on wives, am I right? Don’t answer that question, I’m always right. I did have that threesome once when I was literally between wives.

Curvy contestant: I like your hair.

Notary: (Re: not having to sue her.) At least it’s not three demand letters.

Trump: Want to touch it?

Curvy contestant touches it.

Trump: It’s real. As real as what I’m staring at right now.

Curvy contestant: They’re fake.

Trump: Make that…

Notary: Three demand letters. (to curvy contestant) You just implied his hair is fake.

Curvy contestant: Would you sign my breasts?

Trump: I’d be happy to. Cancel the demand letter.

Notary: Would you like me to witness that?

Curvy contestant: Pervert.

Notary: No, I’m a notary. I can help make his signature on your breasts official.

Trump: Even if your rack isn’t “official,” am I right? Don’t answer that, I’m always right. Let’s see, where’s my Trump pen? Unbelievable pen. Every Trump University graduate gets one.

Trump signs away. A little too hard. In a beat, we hear… PHTTTTTTTTTTT. At this deflated moment, Trump responds…

Trump: Your nine just became a one.

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November 9, 2016

What are Jeremy’s favorite blog entries?

Filed under: Popular on Facebook (A little) — Tags: , — admin @ 11:04 pm

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HUMOR

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State of the Notary Industry Union Address
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16244

Alice in Notary Wonderland
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16140

You know you’re a notary when…
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16038

How Notary work is similar to online dating
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=15763

Jane the virgin notary
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=14899

The Towles Booth
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=9456

Welcome to the Notary Zoo
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=15994

Two and a half Notaries (string)
http://blog.123notary.com/?tag=twoandahalfmen

The Mayan Rescission Calendar
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=15096

2016 Notary Public Debate
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16006

My Date with Jeremy
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=4473

The Notary Hotel
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=8822

Bartender Notary
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=4080

Vampire Notaries
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=4094

Family Guy
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=10507

Noternity Court
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=14091

Notary Hell — Yeah, but it’s a dry heat
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=13196

Honey I notarized the kids
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=7030

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PRACTICAL

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The five food groups of Notary Knowledge
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=15141

Signing agent best practices 63 points
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=4315

The Starbucks Notary wises up!
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=4207

Two notaries assigned the same job?
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=1060

A detailed look at the Ninja course
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=4621

Unique phrases from the Ninja course
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=14690

Good Deed Bad Deed — comprehensive guide to deeds
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16285

Trouble getting paid? Try our demand letter from hell.
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=15339

How much more does a 123notary certified signer make?
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=15392

The “Met my Fee” list of signing companies
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16979

You want to get paid well as a Notary, but do you merit a good rate?
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16687

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TIPS

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Everything you need to know about writing a great notes section
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16074

How to write a notes section if you are a beginner
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16698

A comprehensive guide to Notary Pricing
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16504

10 tight points on loose certificates
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=15449

How to become a successful mobile notary from scratch
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=13340

Interview with Timios Title
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=6718

5 or 6 reviews doubles your business
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=8484

Notary etiquette from Athiest to Zombie
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=13718

Borrower eqiquette from A to Z
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=2995

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COMPILATIONS

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How good is your technical knowledge, should you learn more?
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16683

30 point course synopsis
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=14233

Best blog articles for advanced notaries
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=14736

Notary information for beginners: best posts.
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=10472

Compilation of certification posts
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16264

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November 6, 2016

For Background Checks, NNA & Sterling come highly recommended

The more seasoned Notaries know that they will lose a certain percentage of their business if they are not a background checked notary. Newer Notaries either are oblivious to this fact, or just get it without questioning the entire concept. While the ultra-seasoned Notaries with ten or more years of experience sometimes do not get background checked since their clientele trusts them and depends on them so much, that they can get away with no having it.

If you are a Mobile Notary Public and are not fully booked to capacity with great clients who deliver eDocuments on time, pay on time, and pay well, I strongly suggest getting a background check so that you won’t get weeded out by companies who have standards (which is a lot of them.)

But, whom do you get certified by? People in the industry told me that there are two companies whose background checks are highly prized. Keep in mind that not all background checks are created equal and the process of background checking and “What they are checking” in each check is not equivalent. Some checks are more thorough than others and some checks are honored more than others.

NNA & Sterling’s Background Checks are highly recommended
National Notary Association is a great place for one-stop Notary shopping. They sell Notary training materials, great supplies including Acknowledgment pads, The best journals in town, and more. Their Background Checks are recommended as well as they are highly recognized in the industry. Sterling is another quality source of background checks. A background check won’t do you any good unless it is recognized. So pick from the best. Background Checked Notaries get a lot more business, so it is definitely worth the cost.

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You might also like:

Should 123notary sell background screening?
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=20043

Notary notes – the date of your background screening
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=15985

Is having NNA Background screening really necessary to get work?
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=10385

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November 5, 2016

Affidavit of Citizenship

Filed under: Affidavits,Popular on Facebook (some) — Tags: — admin @ 9:52 am

What is an Affidavit of Citizenship?
The Affidavit of Citizenship is a common legal form that is required by immigration services in some cases. Many people need to get an Affidavit of Citizenship Notarized. This document is normally notarized using the Notary act called a Jurat which requires a sworn oath.

Terminology:

Jurat — a type of Notarization that involves a Sworn Oath where the Notary must sign before the Notary Public.
Affiant — the person or individual who swears under Oath perhaps before a Judge or Notary Public.
Affirmation — For those who do not believe in swearing under Oath, many states allow them to Affirm that information is correct while under Oath.
Oath — a solemn Notary act where the signer (who is also the Affiant) raises their right hand and swears under Oath to the truthfulness of the document, or just makes up their own Oath wording for a particular official purpose or commission.
Affidavit — a document (perhaps a legal document) which requires an Affiant to swear under Oath before a Notary to have it notarized.

Drafting an Affidavit of Citizenship
Most Notaries are not authorized to draft legal documents. It is prudent to contact an Attorney or or someone authorized to draft documents. If you appear before a Notary and ask for a notarized Affidavit of Citizenship, the Notary will ask you to present the document to him/her. If you don’t have a document and expect the Notary to write it, you are wasting the Notary’s time. It might not even be legal for a Notary to draft such a document as they are not an Attorney in most cases. So, have a professional draft up a quick document for you, perhaps at a low-cost legal center. After the document is complete — then contact a notary.

Notarizing an Affidavit of Citizenship
A sample wording for an Affidavit of Citizenship might be —

“I, Joe Smith solemnly swear that I am a citizen of the United States of America, so help me God.”
Signature of Affiant _____________________

The Notary could attach a Jurat certificate to the document with this statement. The Notary would ask the signer to raise his/her right hand and swear under Oath to the truthfulness of the statement. Then the Notary would fill in the Jurat form, sign it, and stamp it with his/her official Notary Seal. The Notary needs to be paid whatever the state regulated Notary fee is for a Jurat. Additionally, many Notaries engage in traveling Notary work and should be paid a travel fee, plus waiting time if applicable.

Can the Affidavit of Support be in Spanish?
Official legal documents filed in the United States should be written in English unless you have written permission to write it in Spanish or another language.

Giving Legal Advice
A non-Attorney may not give legal advice. Most Notaries are not Attorneys and therefore may not give legal advice. Additionally, Notaries Public are not authorized to assist in the immigration process or give advice regarding immigration. If you have a legal quesiton or an immigration question, do not ask a Notary, rather, ask an authorized person such as an immigration official, Attorney, or perhaps someone authorized in a legal support profession at a law office if applicable.

What are some other notarized immigration documents or regular documents?
The Affidavit of Support is another commonly notarized immigration document. It states that a particular individual will take care of the sponsored individual in financial and other ways. Basically, a family member can attempt to assist another family member enter the United States by signing an Affidavit of Support. In addition to immigration documents, it is common for Notaries to notarize permission for minors to travel outside of the United States with an adult. Deeds, contracts, Power of Attorney, other types of Affidavits, Name Affidavits, Titles, and other types of documents are regularly notarized as well.

Where can I find a Notary to notarize my Affidavit of Support?
Right here on 123notary.com’s advanced search page! You can find a Spanish speaking Notary by using the language filter on the upper right corner of the search results after you have searched by zip code.

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You might also like:

Modern Family – an affidavit of citizenship & affidavit of domicile notarized
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=10989

2011 version of Affidavit of Citizenship
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=2028

Index of information about documents
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=20258

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October 31, 2016

Safety Deposit Box Openings

Believe it or not, a Notary in New York is authorized to perform Safety Deposit Box Openings. Yes, if you are a New York Notary, you can get paid to witness a Safety Deposit Box Opening. You would be required to take an inventory of the contents of the box. Sometimes a bank has to terminate a safety deposit box because someone died, etc. In such a case, a Notary is necessary to make sure everything id documented correctly. It sounds like a fun task if you like going to banks.

I don’t know what they can charge for such an act though. It involves driving, parking, waiting, and performing a simple clerical task. In my opinion, a job like this should be billed at $40 for travel, a dollar a minute waiting time paid up front in 20 minute increments, as well as $10 for the actual paperwork for performing the safety deposit box opening.

You might also like

Index of posts about Notary acts
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=20280

Notary Public 101 – basic notary acts
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=19500

New York Notary income is the highest
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=1959

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October 30, 2016

Is Snapdocs a serious threat to 123notary?

Carmen is always worried about something. “The sky is falling, the sky is falling.” She always thinks the industry is going to turn down and that 123notary will have a problem. So far, the industry has come crashing down many times. But, 123notary is so stable that we have survived these ups and downs unscathed.

But, 123notary has never had a serious competitor. Sure, Notary Rotary has been around since long before 123notary’s inception. Sure, SigningAgent.com is a huge competitor. But, our market share has never been negatively affected by other companies. Snapdocs has become so popular, that Carmen rightfully became concerned that they would cut into our market share. Although I see no definitive indication of that, it is true that 123notary normally has a steady growth in clicks from February to August. This year, our growth has been less dramatic. Our growth over last year is only a fraction of a percent which is not bad. At least we didn’t lose any ground.

The bigger question is, will Snapdocs become a serious threat to 123notary as they work out the kinks in their system and gain refinement, or will Notaries get tired of working under their platform and quit? My prediction is that seasoned Notaries are already beyond fed up and quit. New Notaries are also fed up, but don’t have any better offers. I believe that the new Notaries will continue to work for Snapdocs. If the current supply of Notaries is dried up by their disdain for lowballing, a new batch will come.

If you look at the Notaries on Snapdocs, they are almost all brand new and with hardly any experience or capability to write anything about themselves. In the past, no Notary directory was able to compete with 123notary in the long run. Snapdocs is the first serious threat to our market share that has happened in the history of 123notary.com.

The bottom line is, will Snapdocs figure out how to keep their Notaries happier, or will their Notaries all defect?

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You might also like:

Compilation of posts about Snapdocs
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=21531

Yelp beating 123notary on Google search results
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=18991

Good signing companies – a thorough list
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=21091

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October 22, 2016

2016 Companies That Will Hire New Signing Agents

Here are some companies that typically hire new notaries. We published a similar list a few years ago and removed companies that have slowed down and added SnapDocs as they are a source of revenue to newer Notaries. As a new notary, your primary responsibility to yourself is to get some experience under your belt. Don’t be too picky about how much you pay or how pleasant it is to work for some of these companies. The outfits that typically will hire newbies low-ball, require fax-backs, and micromanage you to the point of exasperation. But, tolerate this, because that is how you pay your dues and get your experience. Once you have 1000 signings under your belt, the higher paying Title companies will start to take you more seriously.

Companies that hire new signing agents:

Countrywide
http://www.123notary.com/signco-idv.asp?sid=155&Countrywide+Home+Loans+%2F+Full+Spectrum

Express Notary
http://www.123notary.com/signco-idv.asp?sid=1066&Express+Notary

FASS
http://www.123notary.com/signco-idv.asp?sid=725&First+American+Signature+Services

Global Notary
http://www.123notary.com/signco-idv.asp?sid=762&Global+Notary

Loan-Closers.com
http://www.123notary.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2293

Mortgage Connect
http://www.123notary.com/signco-idv.asp?sid=814&Mortgage+Connect

Nations Direct
http://www.123notary.com/signco-idv.asp?sid=101&Nations+Direct

Notary Direct
http://www.123notary.com/signco-idv.asp?sid=113&Notary+Direct

SnapDocs — a directory specializing in new signing agents
https://www.snapdocs.com/

Skye Closings
http://www.123notary.com/signco-idv.asp?sid=798&Skye+Closings

The Closer, LLC
http://www.123notary.com/signco-idv.asp?sid=973&The+Closer%2C+LLC

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You might also like:

Beginner Notary 103 – a course for new notaries
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=21112

How to write a notes section if you are a beginner
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16698

Notary Public 101 – a thorough course about notary procedure
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=19493

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October 21, 2016

Building a Wall Around Signing Companies

BUILDING A WALL AROUND SIGNING COMPANIES

Signing companies are invading our territory. They’re lowering rates for signings, not paying people, and micromanaging the people doing signings.

We will build a wall around these signing companies. And let the signing companies not paying people on time pay for it. The good notaries will make good people sign their legible signatures on the wall. The bad notaries will turn to petty crime and write illegible graffiti on the wall.

In addition to the signing companies, too many new notaries are invading our territory, willing to do twenty dollar signings. They’re killers… of the marketplace by working for cheap. Others are executors… of documents that have something wrong with them. . Others are improperly backdating… Or allowing clients to sign incorrectly… They’re misidentifying people… They’re not administering oaths properly…

We will make notaries great again. They’ll become certified on 123notary.com. They’ll start winning again. Believe me, they’ll get so tired of winning, they’ll start losing their minds just to remember what losing feels like!

We’ll impose a temporary ban on all lousy notaries until we can figure out what the hell is going on. We’ll deport the notaries who aren’t doing their jobs back to where they came from, unless they’re already citizens, in which case we’ll export them to countries we’re not that crazy about. We’ll let them come back legally – by letting a competent notary make them swear they won’t screw things up the next time around.

And when that’s finished, we’ll build a wall around my mouth.

In answer to Bernie Sanders and Pink Floyd… We don’t need no (free) education! All in all it’s just another brick in the wall!

You might also like:

Notary Happy Days goes to China!
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16536

Alice in Notary wonderland
http://blog.123notary.com/?p=16140

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