NSA 101 IN-PERSON WORKSHOP DATES/DESCRIPTION
LIVE NSA 101 WORKSHOPS ARE ON HOLD FOR NOW
The full-day live training NSA 101 Workshops are ON HOLD for now due to pandemic restrictions. Future dates TBA. Meanwhile, complete your reading assignment below and sign up for the next NSA 101 Webinar if you would like to watch me go through a sample loan package step by step.
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NSA 101 REQUIRED READING ASSIGNMENT: All attendees are expected to review these important and *FREE* notary reference materials before attending any workshop OR webinar:
1. Washington State Notary Handbook:
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. 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 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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Q. WHAT IS NSA 101 WORKSHOP?
A. NSA 101 was created as 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. IS THIS NSA 101 WORKSHOP NOTARY PUBLIC BASIC TRAINING? DOES IT TEACH ME HOW TO BE A NOTARY PUBLIC OR HOW TO PERFORM BASIC NOTARIZATIONS?
A. NO, NO, NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT. NSA 101 workshops are not intended as a notary public basic training course; they are more advanced. NSA 101 workshops assume you are already a commissioned notary in Washington with a very basic understanding of the loan process, that you have received some online NSA agent training (or rigorous self-study) and are seeking some practical in-person practice before accepting your very first loan signing assignment. I created this workshop 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 does not automatically make you a notary public/signing agent. Notary public commissions are granted by the Washington State 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, 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 to practice presenting loan documents at the signing table.
Don't have a notary commission? Please get the ball rolling on your Washington notary commission application ASAP. I urge everyone to 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. I urge you to obtain your notary commission and gain some practical experience performing notarizations before attempting to work as a notary signing agent.
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 an independent contractor 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 you first STUDY the Washington DOL website for notaries https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/notary/ and consider getting basic notary public training and gain some practical experience before jumping into being a notary signing agent.
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 Jacobs 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. This year was my first Zoom training with Rebecca and it was pretty good. 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 LAW?
A. Technically, NO, the Washington currently has no state-mandated training, testing, or certification requirements for notary public nor for notary signing agent. 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 submits an application, pays the fee, and passes their background check typically 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, you must bear in mind that the lenders and other companies who hire us to present loan documents to their borrowers may have their own special requirements. Thus the responsibility to seek and obtain any necessary training falls upon individual notaries.
#commonsense
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, the webinar focuses only on my approach in presenting a mock refinance loan package to John and Jane Signer. I will show you how I present loan documents, what I say, and why.
