I just did a signing that required a 2nd witness, and the fee was higher than I normally see ($125 for a sale), and the instructions had this line:
“Notary, please bring an additional witness, we accept the $25.00 charge. Notary should act as one witness on the Deed and the second witness should sign as the second witness.”
My question: does that mean the $25 is part of the $125? Or do I invoice for $125 notary fee, and $25 witness fee?
I’d charge the extra $25 for the witness fee for a total of $150.
Not sure about the pricing but I always thought it was the signers responsibility to bring the witnesses? I got an offer from bancserv and they wanted me to bring the additional witness… thoughts?
In my opinion, it’s the signer’s responsibility to have the needed witnesses present when called for. I had that happen just this evening and the signer brought in two witnesses to sign that they witnessed the acknowledgement of an attorney-in-fact document I notarized in front of them. I had another witness situation where the signer could not raise a witness, so I brought my [former notary-now real estate agent] wife who signed as a witness. Doowhatchagottado.
I just took a Bancserv signing where the signer wanted me to bring a witness. I negotiated the fee of $150 ($125 for me and $25 for the witness). I found a newer NSA who loves being a witness because she gets to see a closing and get paid for it at the same time.
Sometimes I get signings where the signers have their own witnesses, sometimes they don’t. Either way, I found it best to find a couple of people on standby as witnesses.
That’s a great idea and a good excuse for a newer agent to attend a signing. Thanks for the feedback!
As a notary, it is NOT my job to find/bring witnesses, that is the signer’s responsibility!
We don’t get paid enough to chase down witnesses!
If the property is in Louisiana, the Notary CANNOT be the 2nd witness. You will need two witnesses plus the notary. If the property is in Florida the Notary can sit in for the 2nd witness and also notarize the document.
Sounds to me as if the $25. is in addition to the $125., but I would definitely clarify that prior to the appointment as it IS worded rather oddly. When I accept an assignment which requires witnesses, I ask right away who’s providing them and, if I’m expected to, we then negotiate the additional fee.
If the signer doesn’t have their own witness(es), supplied witnesses are always a negotiated fee of $25/ea.
I charge to bring a witness because I pay my witness - I do not have family around and to have a friend spend an hour and a half - I only pay 15 so I charge the company the 15. If they offer $25 for you to bring a witness then add that to the original signing fee. Life can be good at times.
I live in an “active” retirement community so I’ve been able to build a list of persons interested in serving as a witness to a signing for a fee and who can be called upon at a moment’s notice. The fee I charge depends on how many times the witness has to sign. I start at $25 and add $5 for each additional signature from the witness. The cost is billed separately from my notary fee.
I tell my witnesses that if they split the fee with me, I’ll go to court in their place. It usually works 
Even if I use family and friends I pay them. It’s a business transaction not a personal favor to me. Just my opinion and way of keeping things straight and above board.
