We decided that a series of articles posted here would help new and renewing Notaries understand the process and the functions of being a Notary Public in PA. This first article will discuss the facts surrounding your commission and how it is obtained and processed. This area seems to be the basis of the most confusion and has become a statewide issue for everyone involved. For years now there has been confusion about the process and who is actually in charge here in Pennsylvania. This confusion has stemmed from years of advertising and marketing techniques. These practices have not only provided the confusion to notaries but enhanced it between our counties and our state entity. Although these techniques have proved successful to the organizations from a business and financial standpoint, they have been very detrimental to our county governments, our Notaries Public and our State Department. The PA Department of State, Notary Division is the governing body for all Pennsylvania Notaries Public. They approve all notaries, providers of the education and enforce the notary law. Period.
Each provider of the mandatory education must submit their courses for approval by this department. These courses must contain the information required by the notary law. Therefore; all approved courses contain the same information regardless of presenter, organization or provider. The State Department approves their courses and them as approved providers based on the same criteria. The process of applying or renewing a commission is also the same. The application is provided by the State Department. This application must be used by the applicant. This must be forwarded to the local State Senator for execution. Their office then forwards it to the State Department through legislative channels for final approval by the State Department Notary Division. They process and approve all applications and sends you, the Notary Public, the final paperwork for execution. Again the process is the same. The marketing techniques and general advertising practices that have been in place over the years has created the impression that some organizations are the governing entity or at least affiliated in some capacity with the State Department or the county governments. This is simple not true. The final processing of the applications is in the hands of the Commonwealth of PA State Department Notary Division.
These organizations are not affiliated with, attached to or otherwise involved with any of the process or decision making. There is no special treatment provided or back door access given to them. They are simply a business entity providing a basic service. Our State Department does not support, approve or otherwise recommend any organization over another.
The process of applying or renewing is the same whether you pay an organization, association or do it on your own. Your decision for education and commission processing should be an informed one, and we hope that these facts we have provided will help you understand the process a little better.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Monday, December 10, 2007
Working?
I am extremly curious. I am hearing horror stories from every state! Is business that bad and how are you surviving? And have you diverted to other fields? Bankruptcy, Home Inspectors, Legal services etc. Let us know!!!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Basic Reasoning!
In the past few months work has become extremely perplexing. I have witnessed other notaries/signing agents shuting down and taking what they call “real jobs”. I have seen small settlement services and title agencies fall prey to the mortgage crunch and shut their doors. It all has been very hard to watch and sobering. Some have vowed to come back and others have given up and moved on.
A few years ago this field was known only to those in this type of work. Most notaries in PA were and still are title clerks for AAA, messenger services, and banks, etc. Then came changes in the banking arena and refinance law, and following close behind…the refinance boom. Next came national based organizations telling us we could make hundreds even thousands of dollars more doing “witness closings” in this boom. They would teach us, supply us and encourage us. And viola a new “at home business” craze was born! There was no telling how many “signing agents” the business world needed! Our numbers increased drastically. Many entered the field through seminars, conventions, online courses and many more avenues, all offered by national organizations. And most of them became extremely successful.
In the meantime our state based organization here in PA was telling us that there was no need for this extra training. As notaries we could this. It did not require special training and certification. This job was just another facet of notarization. Some heeded that advice and went out on their own. Some had great success also.
Over the next few years the national based organizations ranks swelled and increased their revenue ten fold. Every “signing agent” belonged to at least two organizations and some many more. Not to mention the signing services along with the paid notary databases and web advertising sites.
Shortly after the PA based organizations jumped on the band wagon and started providing supplies and advice along with training for this “field”. More people flocked to be trained and take advantage of this booming business. Our ranks grew beyond anyone’s imagination. So much so, that our field was flooded. Signing agents were being churned out at a phenomenal pace.
But in reality the same amount of work was available. There was too many of us! So the fight for business began. Some became extremely cut throat and competitive. Others cut corners and produced bad work. The reputation of signing agents fell to an all time low.
The next hit is the implosion of the financial lenders. Bad loans and unscrupulous brokers, etc. caused shock waves through the financial community and here we are, stuck in the middle.
Sadly now the work has slowed to a stream and most are left out in the cold, shutting down our business at an alarming rate. Organizations have now shifted their focus to the companies and future endeavors like E- Notarization and left us behind. Their support base has shifted from us to bigger fish. So in reality the only ones who benefited from this boom are the organizations themselves. So did we see this coming? Have we done this to ourselves? Or have we had our blinders on and ignored the signs? And if so how did we become so complacent?
Remember in life there is always a natural thinning of the herd and the business world is no exception. So make your business decisions accordingly and try to look down the road. Try to make decisions for the future, and most of all make them without those blinders and emotion.
And this is my last word on organizations!!!! Next ……….Title agents…..trying to shut us down and putting us down. It is time to defend ourselves. Enough is enough!
A few years ago this field was known only to those in this type of work. Most notaries in PA were and still are title clerks for AAA, messenger services, and banks, etc. Then came changes in the banking arena and refinance law, and following close behind…the refinance boom. Next came national based organizations telling us we could make hundreds even thousands of dollars more doing “witness closings” in this boom. They would teach us, supply us and encourage us. And viola a new “at home business” craze was born! There was no telling how many “signing agents” the business world needed! Our numbers increased drastically. Many entered the field through seminars, conventions, online courses and many more avenues, all offered by national organizations. And most of them became extremely successful.
In the meantime our state based organization here in PA was telling us that there was no need for this extra training. As notaries we could this. It did not require special training and certification. This job was just another facet of notarization. Some heeded that advice and went out on their own. Some had great success also.
Over the next few years the national based organizations ranks swelled and increased their revenue ten fold. Every “signing agent” belonged to at least two organizations and some many more. Not to mention the signing services along with the paid notary databases and web advertising sites.
Shortly after the PA based organizations jumped on the band wagon and started providing supplies and advice along with training for this “field”. More people flocked to be trained and take advantage of this booming business. Our ranks grew beyond anyone’s imagination. So much so, that our field was flooded. Signing agents were being churned out at a phenomenal pace.
But in reality the same amount of work was available. There was too many of us! So the fight for business began. Some became extremely cut throat and competitive. Others cut corners and produced bad work. The reputation of signing agents fell to an all time low.
The next hit is the implosion of the financial lenders. Bad loans and unscrupulous brokers, etc. caused shock waves through the financial community and here we are, stuck in the middle.
Sadly now the work has slowed to a stream and most are left out in the cold, shutting down our business at an alarming rate. Organizations have now shifted their focus to the companies and future endeavors like E- Notarization and left us behind. Their support base has shifted from us to bigger fish. So in reality the only ones who benefited from this boom are the organizations themselves. So did we see this coming? Have we done this to ourselves? Or have we had our blinders on and ignored the signs? And if so how did we become so complacent?
Remember in life there is always a natural thinning of the herd and the business world is no exception. So make your business decisions accordingly and try to look down the road. Try to make decisions for the future, and most of all make them without those blinders and emotion.
And this is my last word on organizations!!!! Next ……….Title agents…..trying to shut us down and putting us down. It is time to defend ourselves. Enough is enough!
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Notaries Public, We Are More Than Signing Agents
Notaries Public, We Are More Than Signing Agents
As Notaries Public we have a lot to offer our societies and communities we live in. That being said, we must also realize the increase of security issues and identity laws causes far too many issues for us in our communities.
One of biggest problem areas we have is within the senior community. The majority of general everyday notary work involves seniors. Health care decisions must be made and financial decisions have to be handled. Most times these documents require notarization.
This issue is most often overlooked until it is too late. They are not addressed until seniors have moved to senior communities or are in health care/assisted living facilities. They have stopped driving years ago and they did not maintain their drivers’ license. And there in lies the problem. Without proper ID how can we accomplish notarization?
I do not know how many times I have had to deny service to someone in a hospital who did not have valid ID. It was not that they did not have it with them, they did not maintain it. Next I see that blank look from the family member who does not understand what to do now. These are obstacles that could have been fixed very easily earlier on, but now it is crunch time and they are stymied.
As Notaries Public, I believe, we should make it our mission to help solve these problems before they surface. We must help the communities we serve to understand the new requirements and eliminate these concerns. We should be spreading the word and reinforcing this information to all seniors, their families or caretakers and the general public.
So why not go to your local senior center and give a talk? Why not contact your local health facilities, i.e. hospitals, nursing centers, etc. and promote the fact that these ID issues need to be addressed before there is an issue. As Notaries Public we must help the communities we serve to understand these new requirements and eliminate the concerns and obstacles of all who need our services.
As Notaries Public we have a lot to offer our societies and communities we live in. That being said, we must also realize the increase of security issues and identity laws causes far too many issues for us in our communities.
One of biggest problem areas we have is within the senior community. The majority of general everyday notary work involves seniors. Health care decisions must be made and financial decisions have to be handled. Most times these documents require notarization.
This issue is most often overlooked until it is too late. They are not addressed until seniors have moved to senior communities or are in health care/assisted living facilities. They have stopped driving years ago and they did not maintain their drivers’ license. And there in lies the problem. Without proper ID how can we accomplish notarization?
I do not know how many times I have had to deny service to someone in a hospital who did not have valid ID. It was not that they did not have it with them, they did not maintain it. Next I see that blank look from the family member who does not understand what to do now. These are obstacles that could have been fixed very easily earlier on, but now it is crunch time and they are stymied.
As Notaries Public, I believe, we should make it our mission to help solve these problems before they surface. We must help the communities we serve to understand the new requirements and eliminate these concerns. We should be spreading the word and reinforcing this information to all seniors, their families or caretakers and the general public.
So why not go to your local senior center and give a talk? Why not contact your local health facilities, i.e. hospitals, nursing centers, etc. and promote the fact that these ID issues need to be addressed before there is an issue. As Notaries Public we must help the communities we serve to understand these new requirements and eliminate the concerns and obstacles of all who need our services.
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