To make it faster and more accurate on my signings, I have been dating (the date that I am going to sign the document) and all the pertinent information on my acknowledgements. Once I get to the table and the borrower signs the document, then I sign it. (I live in California).
Not only that, but I enter the date they are signing it on other documents to save time and so there are no errors. I don’t do that on very important papers, i.e. 3 day cancellation, deed (if there is a date) , etc.
I’m thinking that I am wrong, but it would take me at least an hour more if I don’t do that.
This was a recent thing I began including, because the borrowers were getting so irritated at all the dates that they had to sign and remember. So I was printing the date so they wouldn’t be so upset. They (the borrowers were so happy). Oh well.
I thought I was being smart and expeditious. Oops! Guess I won’t be doing that anymore.
I do the same on a Ack or Jurat, I type the county, my name and title and the date, as well as their name before the signing. What is wet is your stamp and signature.
I’ve seen my share of notary instructions where it’s made clear the signers can’t even date each other’s signatures, much less should the notary do it. I work for one major lender who pre-dates and types in virtually all the signature lines. But it’s only that one lender, no others. Much as it’s troublesome to do, if the buyer squawks, remind them it’s the lender’s way, or the highway. Not your rules, theirs.
That said, every chance I get I prep my docs in advance and often use the Fill & Sign feature on the Acrobat reader. I can type in the venue, the names of the signers, my commission expiry date, anything that I might have had to hand write. I’ve even filled out Trust Certifications by typing the info in because someone else didn’t do their job. Docs end up looking much neater and professionally finished.
Thanks for your input Edweard. If I didn’t do all that i.e. fill out the Ack. and the Jurat, my 1.5-2.5 hr. estimate that I give them would go into 2.5-3.5. I have many, many acknowledgements in a refi. I also work with foreign clients whose names I can’t spell off the top of my head or even pronounce them. (that I try to look up beforehand to be able to pronounce their name correctly.and they are grateful. If I had to put their name in when I am at the table, it would go on forever and I would have to be very careful not to make a mistake. I never sign or even stamp my acknowledgements or jurats before I go to the signing.
You might want to write the date of the signing on a 3X5 card and have it sitting in front of the signers. They can glance at the card each time they need to sign.
I’m also in California, thank you for this tip! I’d been writing them in and was wondering the same thing. I will use Adobe and fill them out to save time for tomorrows closing.
Never date or pre-date the documents for the signers. Remember, everything above the venue (on the certificate) is not the notary’s “territory”. Everything below is, so completing the certificates is encouraged except for the notary’s signature, of course. The client needs to see you sign and stamp it for obvious reasons. Your notarizations are forever, so your printing should be perfect. I used to tell my notary class students that their certificates should be their works of art, able to stand the test of time. When things go south is when you’re hired for a GNW assignment that requires dozens and dozens of certificates and you have to focus on speed and perfection. That’s when you start to sweat.
Opening conversation at every signing is to put the eight-digit date in front of them and state “an eight-digit date is required on every document that requires a date”.
It’s the best way. And the first time they have to date a document I look and make sure they are following directions.
I print out the dates in extra-large font for the upcoming month in the following format => MM/DD/YYYY
I then cut each date into separate strips after printing them out on CHARTREUSE GREEN or HOT PINK paper.
This is always a conversation piece during the Signing Appointment & when placing the date strip of paper in front of them. The signers ALWAYS write the correct date & correct format as required by the Lender/Title Company.
I fill out the blanks except for dates. I used a 3"x3" sticky note with “todays date” so the signers don’t get confused. I also explain that the signers need to date their own signatures as a security precaution. That way the experts can match consistency of hand writing throughout the document.
Are you dating the body of the document? I always learned that I can’t touch the body of the document. That’s for the signer to date. The only thing we can touch is the notarial certificate.
I know I’ve already responded, but I just wanna add this. I’ve notarized a lot of living trusts, created by some of the best trust attorneys in the country. all the really expensive ones already have my acknowledgments completely filled out except for my signature and stamp. I hope this information helps.
