Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Notary Public?
A notary public is a professional responsible for performing the legal signing of documents and that they are notarized. They can also perform other services, such as apostilling.
What is the difference between notarization vs. apostilling?
Notarization is when a notary public signs a document to attest to its authenticity. Apostilles are similar to notarizations but are used to certify the authenticity of official documents from other countries. For example, an immigration attorney may ask for an apostilled birth certificate when submitting a citizenship application.
What does RON mean?
RON stands for remote online notarization. Instead of making an in-person appointment, this is another option to complete signatures and notary services 100% online. The notary public and the clients meet online via an approved RON platform, such as DocuSign. Not all states offer RON, so we can help you check if this is an option.
What is a loan signing agent?
All signing agents are public notaries. However, a public notary may not necessarily be a loan signing agent. In addition, loan signing agents receive additional training to handle and process certain financial documents, such as mortgage paperwork. And since loan signing agents handle sensitive documents, including financial information, these agents must have a background check every year.
What credentials should a mobile notary have?
Each state is a little different, but usually a person must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, a resident of their state, pass a background check, complete a training course, and hold a notary commission certificate issued by their state. In addition, since financial institutions, banks, and title companies must follow specific regulatory standards, they require a mobile notary signing agent also to have a minimum of $25,000 E&O insurance policy and complete additional training to assist with loan closings.
What do I need to bring to the notary signing?
Minimally, it's important to have a government-issued ID and any relevant documents that need notarized. Your attorney, title company, real estate agent, or signing agent can best prepare you based on your appointment.