My annual background report is coming due and I’m just wondering what company other LSA’s use for this? In the past I’ve always done it through the NNA but they just use Backgrounds Online. I see that it’s so much cheaper going directly to Backgrounds Online. Is there any particular reason I need to use NNA?
Thanks!
Jessica
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@myflaglernotary Hmmm . . . You’ll best be served by taking at least 2 separate actions.
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Reach out to your direct contacts at a couple of Title/Escrow Companies [T/ECs] & query them for acceptance of a Colossus Organization (For-Profit business) Background Check [BGC] and/or the Backgrounds Online BGC to determine your course of action.
- You’ll more than likely discover that the self-promotion marketing techniques of that Colossus Organization to the T/ECs has convinced the T/ECs that any other BGCs are insufficient for the purposes of vetting & providing BGCs for Professional Signing Agents [PSAs].
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Take the time to compare in-detail the differences between the two separate BGCs performed by each organization. You’ll then have your answer as to why one is pricier than the other . . .
Tangentially, nearly 2 decades ago the BGCs were only “renewed” at the time of the Notarial Commission renewal (once very FOUR years).
Unfortunately, a Colossus Organization decided that it would alter the renewal interval to every 2 years to increase the revenue to their bottom line (after they began providing BGC services).
Fast-forward a few additional years & that same organization altered the required “renewal” interval to ONE YEAR. At that point in time, they also convinced the T/ECs that the only ‘worthy’ BGC was theirs & that a “renewal” should also be required by their organization for signing agents ANNUALLY . . .
Well, here we are now many years later continuing to face increasing expenses to operate alongside a strong DOWNWARD trend of Signing Order fees.
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@myflaglernotary There are many other threads that make additional cogent points within them. These threads are immediately available within the GOLDMINE database here at Notary Cafe.
I’ve performed a preliminary Search on your behalf and there are more than 50+ threads on the topic:
https://forum.notarycafe.com/search?q=NNA%20background%20check
Happy Reading! 
Thank you! I appreciate your help and time.
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I have been a member of NNA for more than 20 years. I’ve never used another organization.
It has been my experience that many companies prefer NSAs who have been certified and background screened through the NNA.
However, there are other organizations that you can utilize. There are state specific organizations.
Are you located in FL?
This industry standard was appropriate & should continue to be appropriate.
In general, my contention remains that “leopards don’t change their spots.”
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Are there exceptions to this adage?
Of course there are . . . but it’s OVERKILL to subject everyone to an annual BGC & annual re-certification when most have a proven STELLAR track record . . . especially considering the continuing downward spiral of ridiculously LOW FEES that are proffered within our business sector.
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Invoking these types of REQUIREMENTS & STANDARDS while taking NO ACTION WHATSOEVER (other than creating Collection Letter Templates) to be of support to Notaries Public/Professional Signing Agents against the non-paying/glacier-slow paying/bargain basement fees truly is unconscionable.
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FYI: When I worked in the Government Sector:
My Secret Security Clearance was renewed every 10 years.
My Top Secret Security Clearance was renewed every 5 years.
Today, these continue to be the renewal intervals.
So, an ANNUAL BACKGROUND CHECK for Notaries Public seems just a bit ludicrous . . .
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I know there are other companies who offer criminal background checks, but for me it is convenient and very much worth it to get via the National Notary Association because it is a package renewal that includes annual NNA signing agent re-certification, Backgrounds Online’s criminal background check, and notary listing.
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The NNA is far less expensive that the US Treasury background screening I’m required to undergo each year.
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Great way to make a political argument non-politically lol
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My understanding is the only 2 that are recognized in the industry are the NNA BGS and Sterling Check.
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I thought this same thing when I read it!
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I agree. I have remained with the NNA for the convenience. The renewals for the NSA Certification and BGC used to be every two years. I can’t recall when this changed.
Hi, so was an answer provided about going directly to BGO other than thru NNA?
From what I gathered going thru NNA is more advantageous. I just renewed thru them because most of the companies I work with like it that way. It cost me $99 and my approval came back in about 3 hours. I don’t even know how they checked anything that fast. Maybe because it was a renewal?
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Ok , I also have mine thru NNA, but its a good question that we still don’t know if it’ll work or if they’ll work us WITHOUT GOING thru NNA!
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