Hello, Regarding RON - I’m going to use Stripe for billing (outside of the Blue Notary platform) and was wondering if notaries usually have the signer pay before the remote notarization or after? I had to do a remote notarization as a customer and I paid beforehand. Thanks!
I’m assuming this is GNW and I, personally, would
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I don’t do RON nor do I use Stripe, but if I were going to collect a fee in advance, I would clearly think out how I would make refunds, and how much the refund would be in different circumstances. Full refund, including any KBA or credential analysis charges I have to pay, if one of these checks fails? What if there’s something about the document that prevents me from continuing with the notarization, such as a notarial act that isn’t allowed in my state?
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I would think you could use a pre authorization and push it through once the notarization is complete to make the refund process easier if the signing was canceled, as well as alter the amount if you choose to charge a cancelation fee!
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I also use Blue Notary and bill on my own via Square. In my experience, I’ve requested the client to provide a CC prior to the RON but wouldn’t charge it until the completion of the session. There are too many potential tech hiccups (at the client’s side, not with BN) and have had a few occassions we had to reschedule a session so they could address the issue (e.g., their tech setup or ID verification). Of course, that impinges on my time, but creates more goodwill and a better client experience. I’m willing to take the risk of wasting some time without recompense over having a poor reputation or a bad Google review.
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Thank you - how do you go about requesting the CC? Do you use a secure platform or?
How I’ve done it on BN is I send them an invoice, along with options to pay. If they’d like to pay in advance, that’s fine (most customers do). If they want to pay after the notarization, that’s also fine, I just won’t release the docs until I have received payment. I’ve done this using the Hybrid plan on BN.
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I ask for the CC when scheduling the RON session. By that time, we’ve already reviewed the basic process, their tech requirements, the ID verification steps they’ll go through, and fees. I’ve not had anyone hesitate or question the reason for having the CC info readied as I would have already outlined the process. Of course, I take great care to keep the info secured and then erased/destroyed. Hope that helps!
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For individual signers, I use PayPal, Venmo, and ApplePay. For my real estate clients, I do the normal emailing of the invoice that I did when I was a mobile notary. Either way, I don’t ask for payment until I have completed the work to their satisfaction.
I use Blue Notary, and it sends the customer an invoice after the notarization is complete (so you have an accurate tally of the cost) but BEFORE the signer gets access to their notarized documents.
Since you have experience with Blue Notary, does the NOTARY have access to the finished PDF before finally approving the document? I’d be worried that I’m filling out all these fields in the unfinished document, but something weird might happen when the finished document is produced.
Kind of like a paper signing where the notary signs the last notarization, and before handing it to the signer or putting it in the FedEx envelope, the dog eats it.
If I’m understanding your question correctly, yes. Once you’ve completed the notarization you are presented with a link to the notarized document. You also have access to in in your electronic journal. I did one today where the PDF the signer presented was editable but once the notarization was complete, the document that they received (and that I also have access to) is an uneditable version of the document. To add to that… Let’s say there are blanks on the document. There are features where you can add text fields for the signer to complete as well so that you are not notarizing an “unfinished” document. I hope that answers your question.
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That’s one of the better replies I’ve seen on this forum. Thanks.
Thanks artina. When BN sends the customer the invoice, how does the customer pay? Through Zelle or Venmo? Does the invoice have a button in which the customer can pay? Just wondering what it looks like on the customer’s end when BN initiates the invoice. Thank you!
If you are billing through BN, the signer provides credit card information prior to entering the session. They are not charged until after the session. If you bill on your own (which you have the option to do when you set up the session) then that’s up to you. I haven’t done this yet but in my calculations, it’s best (payout-wise) to charge through the platform for GNW for up to 3 stamps. For 4+ stamps better to bill yourself. Note: I have the hybrid plan. If I were to bill myself. I think I would send my invoice, Venmo link or whatever, prior to ending the session so that I receive payment before the signer get’s access to their notarized document. There is a chat feature that I think would be helpful to use if you have a payment link to provide. I’m actually still thinking through this workflow scenario but that’s what sounds most practical to me.
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artina Thank you for the very clear and concise response!!
artina One more question if you have time…on BN, when there are 2 signers and they are on 1 computer, is it possible for them to sign in (enter personal info, etc) on 2 different tabs but on the same computer. Should one of them sign in Incognito - or would that make a difference?
They each get separate invitations so they would need separate devices to at least do the KBA/Biometrics authentication. I think they can sign on the same device but I’m not certain about that.
artina Good point…the incoming invite is to their own separate emails so usually everyone will have their own email on their own device (not 2 separate emails on 1 device). There is an option on BN (while you’re in session) that says, “Same Device Authentication - Change to use one device for multiple signers.” Maybe this option is for after the KBA/ID portion. Ugh, so much to think about - I’m horrified to make a mistake. Just want everything to go as smooth as possible. BN support helps only if the question is very basic. Ok, thanks for your time!