# Background Checks

**URL:** <https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [April 9, 2016, 3:58pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132 "2016-04-09T15:58:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 16\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![lschobert](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/lschobert/32/5766_2.png) [@lschobert](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/lschobert)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2016, 9:16pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/21 "2016-10-21T21:16:31Z")

</div>

What the company does is take the money they are to pay you and invest it. They make money off of expected payouts. The longer they can hold out, the more interest they earn. It’s business. Have a collection agency in your back pocket. It stops them dead in their tracks. For one company, I went to their doorstep and requested my funding. I happened to be in the city and checked on my GPS. I waited 15-20 minutes and had all of my funding due to me.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![lschobert](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/lschobert/32/5766_2.png) [@lschobert](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/lschobert)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2016, 9:27pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/22 "2016-10-21T21:27:21Z")

</div>

I agree. I don’t leave my house for $55. Gas, car insurance, snow tires, printing/paper expense. I am now seeing that after I accept their terms and they send the directions for the signing they now put in $25 per mistake, $10 per delay, $10 for not stacking in the proper order, $10 for not calling them back and saying the signing is completed. Do the math. That $55 signing you just earned $0.00 on. With that said, just do the job properly and respect yourself. I’ve also seen 2 companies add in a page to the borrower acknowledging that I’m getting paid $500 when I’m getting $100. But it’s a document not for me to sign or notarize, just the borrower to sign. I can’t give any advise but sometimes I grunt. The company just pocketed $400 on my job.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![lschobert](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/lschobert/32/5766_2.png) [@lschobert](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/lschobert)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2016, 9:31pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/23 "2016-10-21T21:31:52Z")

</div>

Don’t forget to **always** request a copy of your back ground check. You paid for it. You should have a copy of it. Pass it on to other agencies. It worked for me.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pannewell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a88e4f/32.png) [@pannewell](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/pannewell)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2017, 8:15pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/24 "2017-05-07T20:15:56Z")

</div>

> [@surfnkona](#):
>
> bui

I used Michigan State Police background check for my first year, then ran into road blocks like Title Source and had to get NNA BGCs to use their service. Good company, bad requirement.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![info9](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/info9/32/3513_2.png) [@info9](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/info9)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 10:34pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/25 "2017-08-22T22:34:27Z")

</div>

Hi,  
Any recommendation for renewing background check?I use NNA but its expensive.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hack522](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecae2f/32.png) [@Hack522](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/Hack522)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 5:34pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/26 "2018-09-20T17:34:52Z")

</div>

Metzger, how much is the typical charge for your background check? Back in 2001, I was vetted by the FBI as a condition of employment with the company I worked for. At that time, I did not have to pay. Now though I have been using the NNA and would prefer something with more integrity possibly.

Thanks  
Don

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![metzger\_nsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecccb3/32.png) [@metzger\_nsa](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/metzger_nsa)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/27 "2018-09-20T19:22:47Z")

</div>

I use Sterling for my BGC, which is the other agency besides the NNA that Fidelity will accept. I had to be referred to Sterling by a Signing Service, so you just can’t apply directly to them. I just renewed my BGC with Sterling and it was $62.35, which is about the same as the NNA I’ve heard. Since we have to have the BGC, either through the NNA or Sterling in order to get anything connected to Fidelity Title, I just spend the money. At least the BGC is a business expense on taxes. If you want to go with Sterling (at least you don’t have to take the certification test by going this route), check with one of your favorite signing services or title company and ask them to refer you to Sterling.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![notary\_narayan](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/notary_narayan/32/26263_2.png) [@notary\_narayan](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/notary_narayan)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2018, 2:31pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/29 "2018-10-11T14:31:20Z")

</div>

@surfnkona : If a title company is charging a certain fee as closing fee/ notary fee and if 100% does not go to the closer/ notary , then the title company is commiting fraud and intentional misrepresentation of cost of fee and can have their license suspended or revoked, if an audit finds this pattern in multiple transactions. They are NOT allowed to skim additional profits from various other service providers. Going by that argument, they can say, survey cost $500, while it actually was only $300.  
Thats fraud. IT could also be tax fraud, coz, they may be accounting these a COG & expenses ,while they are actually pocketing the difference in fee charged to customer and fee paid to the service provider in the HUD / ALTA / CD

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jennjoneis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/jennjoneis/32/34972_2.png) [@jennjoneis](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/jennjoneis)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2025, 10:42am UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/30 "2025-07-10T10:42:42Z")

</div>

Can you share the website to apply for Sterling background checks?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cNsa5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/cnsa5/32/33381_2.png) [@cNsa5](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/cNsa5)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2025, 12:55pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/31 "2025-07-10T12:55:42Z")

</div>

@jennjoneis_ **Excellent Question!** _

_Here is the general direct url link to their website:_

> **[Sterling Talent Solutions](https://workforce.sterlingdirect.com/ErrorPage.aspx?aspxerrorpath=%2FLogin)**

**Most business entities** that are requesting a Sterling Background Check [BGC] will provide you with a **custom link** for which the business entity will be apprised when the BGC is completed & you won’t need to submit a copy to them (_as they will have direct access_).

🦢

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![johnsonps306](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/johnsonps306/32/35090_2.png) [@johnsonps306](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/johnsonps306)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2025, 1:30pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/32 "2025-07-10T13:30:38Z")

</div>

I don’t think that’s 100% true. If they use a 3rd party to hire a notary and they pay the 3rd party $165 and that third party gets a notary to accept $100 and they keep  
$65 as a fee for setting up notary service that’s not title company fraud. That’s how the majority of loans are being closed.

As for survey or appraisals - no idea. But if we aren’t lawyers we should probably avoid declaring what is or isn’t fraud. IMO.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cNsa5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/cnsa5/32/33381_2.png) [@cNsa5](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/cNsa5)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2025, 1:51pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/33 "2025-07-10T13:51:13Z")

</div>

@jennjoneis Of course, you may want to reach out to the business entity that is seeking the Sterling BGC to request the _ **custom direct url link.** _

🦢

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![metzger\_nsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecccb3/32.png) [@metzger\_nsa](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/metzger_nsa)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/34 "2025-07-10T16:04:42Z")

</div>

I was referred to Sterling by a Signing Company, because I said I wouldn’t use the NNA. That was just after the requirements for background checks were passed by congress. I was referred to Sterling by a link from a Signing Service or Title Company. The cost between the NNA and Sterling is about the same. These are the only background checks accepted by Fidelity Title, as far as I know.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![johnsonps306](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/johnsonps306/32/35090_2.png) [@johnsonps306](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/johnsonps306)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 12:02am UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/35 "2025-07-11T00:02:30Z")

</div>

Yes pretty sure that is correct. Had some hiccups at NNA but finally finished.

I have notice lately absolutely no one likes to answer the phone these days.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cNsa5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/cnsa5/32/33381_2.png) [@cNsa5](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/cNsa5)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 1:10am UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/36 "2025-07-11T01:10:03Z")

</div>

> [@metzger\_nsa](#):
>
> referred to Sterling by a link from a Signing Service or Title Company.

@metzger_nsa Yes, as indicated [above](http://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/31), that’s how the website url link is normally obtained. 😊✅

🦢

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![NC\_Mike](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/nc_mike/32/54_2.png) [@NC\_Mike](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/NC_Mike)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 1:10am UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132/37 "2025-10-09T01:10:09Z")

</div>

Closed on October 9, 2025, 1:10am UTC

This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.

[Previous page](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/background-checks/1132.md?page=1)
