As the recent Uber Eats commercials point out, it seems like you can order almost anything these days to show up on your doorstep. Lucky for real estate professionals, that includes notaries. The days are over for having to worry about hunting down a traditional notary at an office building or bank. Busy title professionals now have various options to get those real estate closing packages and other documents stamped by a notary – including hiring a Mobile Notary.
Gathering all the necessary parties in one room to sign a document can seem impossible, let alone, a logistical nightmare for real estate closings. We’ve gathered some reasons below on why you should consider Mobile Notary Services for your next closing.
What is a Mobile Notary?
Simply put, a Mobile Notary is someone who travels to the customer’s location to perform notarizations. Like other types of notaries, their purpose is to:
- Verify a person’s identity and to ensure they are who they say they are.
- Witness them sign the document(s) that needs to be notarized.
Mobile Notaries may offer services in any U.S. state where they hold a Notary commission. They may charge up to the maximum fee set by state law for notarization services. In some states, they may also charge a separate travel fee for traveling to the customer’s location. Many states, however, don’t set a restriction on the travel fee, but the customer must agree to the cost before scheduling the signing.
🧠 Fun Fact: The origins of Notaries can be traced to ancient Egypt — a time when making records official transactions became important to humanity.
Mobile Notary vs. Remote Notary
Keep in mind that a mobile notary is different from a remote notary. While a mobile notary travels from place to place, a remote notary offers notarial services online through audio and video with specialized software. The notary and client are not in the same physical location during a remote online notarization.
Mobile Notary vs. Notary Signing Agents
For starters, a mobile notary is required to have a notary commission or certificate. While a signing agent has to have a notary commission, there are other requirements for them to perform notary services. In certain states, Notary Signing Agents are required to obtain a Title Insurance License, Closing Agent License or other special licensing.
Attorney Closing States
Also referred to as “attorney-only states”, there are certain states that require a lawyer to attend or supervise the closing of real estate transactions. This includes:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Massachusetts
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Vermont
- West Virginia
When Should a Mobile Notary be used?
Mobile Notaries are used for deals where more than one person needs to sign the papers. Most commonly, mobile notaries perform services for real estate or mortgage transactions. When people involved in a transaction live in different states, it’s even more important to have options when meeting face-to-face is out of the question.
A notary will look for certain language in your document to determine if a notarization is needed. If you want to be safe, you can have any document notarized.
Documents that require notarization include:
- Deeds
- Deed of Trust or Mortgage
- Affidavits
- Power of Attorney
The notarization just adds another level of security to the agreement by officially confirming the identity of the people who signed. Loan signings are one of the most common ways that mobile notaries are hired. In fact, full-time notaries report that more than half of their income comes from providing loan and mortgage signing services.
Benefits of Hiring a Mobile Notary
Availability & Convenience
Get it Done on Your Schedule. Mobile notaries can even travel to lesser populated areas, making it easier and more convenient for people to complete legal paperwork. Whether you need their services at 6 AM, noon, or another location at 10 PM, they are available to work on your schedule.
Their services are most appreciated in the face of any emergency or urgency. Mobile Notaries have the ability to schedule mobile signings on weekends, evenings, and even same-day in many cases.
Buyers Often Prefer It
We all want to please our customers and leave them with a satisfactory experience. With the entire notarization process being completed within a brief period, customers are bound to be satisfied and save them from facing unnecessary delays.
Avoid the Notary Office
Not everyone has the resources or capabilities to make it to a Notary office. For instance, transportation can be tough for the elderly or bed-ridden individuals who want to execute estate planning documents or powers of attorney.
Affordability
The fees that a notary may charge are different for each state. In some cases, their maximum fee is also prescribed by the particular jurisdiction. The fees are agreed upon ahead of time and the charges should be itemized so there are no surprises. Charging fees in excess of those allowed by state law is grounds for suspension from office as a notary public. As a business person, you can optimize your finances by shopping around ahead of time and hiring them at an affordable cost. See the breakdown of fees by state here.
Safety & Security
Mobile notaries have an important job. They serve as neutral third-party witnesses to legal documents, making sure that they have legitimate signatures. They also ensure that all parties involved have followed all applicable laws regarding their specific transactions.
Mobile notaries are professionals who are bonded and insured, so you can rest assured that your documents are safe. Just about every mobile Notary has Notary errors and omissions (E&O) insurance.
Where can I find Mobile notary services?
Due to the benefits it offers both parties, more and more notaries go mobile every year. There are many reliable and experienced mobile notary agencies available. TFG Property Reports, a PropLogix brand, has a mobile notary network made up of more than 2,500 highly vetted notary professionals that span across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Interested in scheduling a mobile notary appointment?, you can do it here.
Stay focused on growing your business by hiring a mobile notary so you can keep your business transactions moving quickly and efficiently.
