NSA 101 WORKSHOP DATES/DESCRIPTION
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NEXT IN-PERSON NSA 101 GROUP TRAINING WORKSHOP IS TBA.
Right now only the NSA 101 webinar and private training are being offered.
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NSA 101 REQUIRED READING ASSIGNMENT: All webinar and workshop attendees are expected to review these important and *FREE* notary reference materials before attending:
1. Washington State Notary Handbook (or the handbook for YOUR STATE):
https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/notary/docs/notary-handbook.pdf
2. 2020 NNA Notary Public Code of Professional Responsibility:
https://www.nationalnotary.org/file%20library/nna/reference-library/code-of-professional-responsibility-2020.pdf
3. Notary Signing Agent Code of Conduct:
https://spswg.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/spw-code-of-conduct-2016.pdf
4. Signing Presentation Guidelines:
https://spswg.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/spw-signing-presentation-guidelines-2016.pdf
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU: PPE & hand sanitizer, sack lunch (if attending in person). Repositionable Post-It signature arrows (100 or so) to help you identify all the signature blocks in the loan package; highlighter, pen & notepad to take notes if you wish.
OVERVIEW: Welcome! Whether you are attending a workshop in person, or via Zoom meeting/webinar, or even watching the recorded version of the March 2020 NSA 101 workshop, my main purpose is simply to help Washington notaries bridge the gap between any notary signing agent training they may have received online (or independent self-study) and the first real life loan signing with real clients, real loan documents. In the live workshops we look at the role of the Notary Signing Agent. We discuss some of the state/federal notary laws and rules as they pertain to NSAs; we discuss NSA's code of conduct/ethics as established by the National Notary Association, and consider the value and purpose of applying Signing Professional Workgroup’s signing presentation guidelines to our loan signings. REFINANCE is the most common assignment for NSAs. We practice handling sample loan documents and conclude the workshop with a Q&A session to ask any lingering questions you may have about being a signing agent in Washington or any closing remarks or comments you wish to offer.
ASSUMPTIONS: NSA 101 workshop/webinar assumes attendees are current Washington notaries with basic knowledge of the loan signing process and that required reading assignment 1 through 4 (see above) has been completed. [Two book recommendations for aspiring NSAs: Notary Signing Agent Certification Training Study Guide (ISBN 1-597-67195-9) and The Notary Signing Agent's Loan Document Sourcebook (ISBN 1-597-67256-7). These are great reference books for beginners.]
PROPOSED AGENDA:
· Introductions/goals; operating rules; handouts
· Your role as Notary Signing Agent (deemed an ESSENTIAL JOB during COVID-19 pandemic)
· Washington notary laws, NSA ethics and code of conduct
· Handling sample loan documents – what to look for; what to say
· Final Q&A and closing remarks
Critical Documents in a Loan Package:
• Uniform Residential Loan Application/1003
• CLOSING DISCLOSURE
• NOTE
• DEED OF TRUST/MORTGAGE
• FIRST PAYMENT LETTER
• Initial Escrow Account Disclosure Statement
• Occupancy Affidavit
• NOTICE OF RIGHT TO CANCEL
WORKSHOP OPERATING RULES: No audio/video recording; masks/social distancing rules apply; be respectful of others; silence cellphones; if attending in person, OK to bring snack/beverages; participate; ask questions.
POST WORKSHOP EVALUATION & FEEDBACK: Your feedback and suggestions are welcome.
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DISCLAIMER: THIS WORKSHOP REFERENCES NNA AND SPW MATERIALS BUT I AM NOT EMPLOYED BY OR AFFILIATED WITH EITHER ORGANIZATIONS. I AM ALSO NOT A LICENSED FINANCIAL, MORTGAGE, TITLE/ESCROW, REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL, OR AN ATTORNEY. I CANNOT PROVIDE FINANCIAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. ANY OPINIONS OFFERED AT THIS WORKSHOP ARE MY OWN. NOTARIES/NSAs ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING AND FOLLOWING THE LAWS OF THEIR PROFESSION.
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Worried that you won't be able to follow along at the workshop? Before you attend the workshop or webinar, do your reading and then try watching parts 1 and 2 of my 3-part NSA 101 training workshop available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqE2mHtSZBM&list=PLbOhBnlTitDyj-FXJc7sZ74OVnFTN7kBk&index=1
FAQs
Q & A
Q. WHAT IS NSA 101 WORKSHOP?
A. It is a practical hands-on workshop to help Washington notaries who are interested in becoming signing agents. Washington notaries can gain some valuable hands-on practice before sitting down at the signing table with real clients and real loan documents. You should get a better understanding of your role as Notary Signing Agent and know where the NSA fits in the typical loan process. Learn what to say, what to do. (Also what NOT to say, what NOT to do!) This is a way to practice in a friendly, safe environment with sample loan documents. Ask questions, boost skills, boost your confidence: This is the goal. Use loan documents from a sample loan package to practice your signing agent presentation skills.
Q. WHAT IS NSA 101 WEBINAR?
A. The webinar is a much abbreviated version of the NSA 101 Workshop and does not offer live Q&A. Using a stationary document camera, this webinar focuses only on my approach in presenting a mock refinance loan package to John and Jane Signer. I demonstrate how I present loan documents, what I say, and why.
Q. DOES NSA 101 WORKSHOP OR NSA 101 WEBINAR PROVIDE ME WITH BASIC NOTARY PUBLIC TRAINING?
A. NO, NO, NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT. My NSA 101 workshops and webinars are not intended as notary public basic training courses; they are more advanced. NSA 101 assumes you are already a commissioned notary in Washington with a very basic understanding of the loan process (or for the state in which you reside), that you have received some online NSA agent training (or rigorous self-study), and you are seeking some practical in-person practice before accepting your very first loan signing assignment. My training is to help other Washington notaries bridge the gap between any online training they may have received and their first signing agent assignment.
Attending a workshop or webinar does not automatically make you a notary public signing agent. In Washington, notary public commissions are granted by the Department of Licensing. You must first successfully complete the Washington notary application process. If you are not a commissioned notary in Washington and you still wish to attend NSA 101 workshop or webinar, you are certainly welcome with the understanding this is beyond basic notary and that this workshop's core function is to review some of the notary laws (as they pertain to signing agents) and the webinar only demonstrates how to present loan documents at the signing table.
If you don't already have your Washington notary public commission, get the ball rolling on your notary commission application ASAP. Read/study the Washington Department of Licensing notary website https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/notary/ in its entirety. Basically everything you want to know about being a notary public in Washington is there. They offer a free manual and even have a "how to" video. After you obtain your notary commission, gain some practical experience performing basic notarizations before attempting to work as a notary signing agent. #commonsense
If you do not reside in Washington state, look at the notary requirements for your state.
Q. WHAT IS A NOTARY SIGNING AGENT?
A. A Notary Signing Agent is a commissioned notary public who has also received training to present loan documents. The signing agent presents the loan documents to the signers but cannot discuss details of the loan. The signing agent's duty is limited to reading the title of the loan document, stating its general purpose, and locating the signature lines and any places for initials. And of course, witnessing signatures and notarizing documents as required. Afterwards, the signing agent returns the executed documents as instructed by the hiring company.
Q. WHO HIRES A NOTARY SIGNING AGENT?
A. Signing agents are typically hired as independent contractors by the lender or title/escrow company. Sometimes a third party company, a loan signing service, acts as a broker to contract with a notary signing agent on behalf of the lender or title companies. Notary signing agents may also be hired by attorneys or private individuals.
Q. WHAT IF I HAVE MY NOTARY COMMISSION BUT I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT HOW TO BE A NOTARY PUBLIC? WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PERFORM NOTARIZATIONS?
A. Then I strongly suggest Washingtonians first STUDY the Washington DOL website for notaries https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/notary/ (or the one for your state) and then consider getting basic notary public training and gain some practical experience before accepting any notary signing agent assignment.
Q. WHERE CAN I GET *BASIC* NOTARY PUBLIC TRAINING IN WASHINGTON?
A. There are many, many online notary public training programs, as you have probably already seen. You sign up and pay their fee, then after a few clicks of your mouse, they consider you "certified" as a notary public. But if you are the type of learner who, like me, learns better in person and/or needs to be able to ask the trainer questions directly, and if you are seeking an in-depth notary public training by a Washingtonian who specifically covers Washington rules, then I can personally recommend Rebecca Jacob's basic notary public training. Her company is called Attorney & Notary Supply, Inc. Rebecca is an expert in her field and an excellent instructor. She offers live workshops and online training via Zoom. I try to take her class yearly as recurrent basic training. She can also answer your specific questions about basic notary public training AND signing agent insurance rates, as well as help you with notary journals, stamps, and supplies. I do not have any special arrangement with ANS of WA for making this recommendation other than I just like her and appreciate her knowledge and expertise. Please contact Rebecca's office directly for more information on her notary public training workshops, signing agent insurance, and/or notary supplies.
ATTORNEY & NOTARY SUPPLY, INC. http://www.ansofwa.com/
200 Mill Ave S., Ste 410, Renton, WA 98057
(425) 271-6353 | (800) 572-1689
Q. IS NOTARY TRAINING REQUIRED BY WASHINGTON STATE LAW?
A. Technically, NO. Washington currently has no state-mandated training, testing, or certification requirements for notary public nor for notary signing agent. Keep in mind that not every notary public is a notary signing agent, but every notary signing agent must first be a notary public. Anyone who meets Washington's notary public qualifications and who successfully completes its application process and passes the background check receives a notary commission. The absence of state-mandated training/testing does not absolve signing agents of their responsibility to perform duties correctly. Knowing our job, following rules, and being able to successfully perform our duties is still absolutely required. Although the state of Washington currently does not mandate training, testing, or certification, bear in mind that hiring companies (lenders, title companies, and signing companies) may have their own special requirements. It is the notaries responsibility to follow the law and to seek/obtain any necessary training in order to do their jobs correctly.
#commonsense
Q. I AM NOT INTO GROUP TRAINING, ONLINE WEBINARS, OR VIDEO TRAINING. I PREFER PRIVATE 1-ON-1 TRAINING. IS THAT SOMETHING I CAN ARRANGE WITH YOU?
A. Yes, absolutely. I can travel to your location for a private signing agent training session to demonstrate to you how I present loan documents. You are able to ask questions as they arise and will even have an opportunity to practice presenting loan documents back to me.
--> HALF day private coaching (up to 3 hours) is $450 per person, 4 people maximum.
--> FULL DAY (up to 5 hours) is $550 per person, 4 people max.
A travel fee may apply depending on travel distance to your location from my home in Olympia. Be sure to complete your reading assignment AND watch parts 1 and 2 of my NSA 101 training video on YouTube. Then call me directly to arrange the training day 360-280-0888.
