I did a signing i got from Cx choice/The Closing exchange for a relocation package on 8/15/2025 in WV. I did the signing and found a completely deed of trust. I immediately reached out to the hiring company and informed them that I cannot Notarize the blank deed of trust. they informed me title needs it blank. I suggested the signer fill it out or they send me another one that is completed.. when i mean blank i mean Nothing filled out at all. I explained the NNA Hotline advised you cannot notarize it. i did scans and all other docs were executed. On Monday i get notified by title from the platform with another deed and they said we need it signed and notarized i thought ok good its fixed. I opened it and all that was filled out was the grantors name the rest blank. I advised again I could not notarize it and gave the same reason. The next thing i know i was informed title told cx choice to remove me from the signing and find another notary to do it since i refused. I was told tile said they are not paying me for the services that were done and i am placed on the Do Not Use list with stewart title Relocation services. I contacted CXChoice notary department explain the situation and why i refused to notarize it and got a reply . These deeds are meant to be blank its relocation docs and the do not use with stewart title stands. I did ship all the docs back that were able to be executed legally and they recieved. them
Not sure if anyone ever experienced this? I cannot find out is it a out right Do Not Use from stewart title complete or just stewart title relocation services.
I explained Notary law and What the NNA Says and the code of conduct. But they did not care.
30 years ago when I worked for attorneys in CT we had some come throughâŠthankfully my commission there wasnât at issue because the attorney signed it, but I raised the issue then that notaries canât notarize blank docs.
You did the right thing and itâs a shame that they think that little of their notaries. Small loss, though - would you really want to work for them again if their guidelines are that you break the law? Your commission isnât worth that.
If they told me that I wasnât getting paid and that they werenât going to use me again, I wouldnât send the documents back to them. If they want me to work for nothing, then that is what theyâll get from me.
It is in the past so it doesnât do terribly much good now, but what I was going to add to this conversation is that a quick scan of the loan documents on the computer before printing might have saved you some of this headache. Had you received the loan package and notified them immediately that the Deed of Trust was BLANK and you are unable to notarize blank document, then maybe this could have been resolved before you headed out the door to meet with the signers.
Title companies already know (or at least they should) that notarizing an incomplete document, especially one with blank spaces, and especially the d@$#3d!! DEED OF TRUST is prohibited/discouraged due to the high risk of potential fraud. If you were to notarize a blank deed of trust signed by the borrowers, the title co can go in and literally write ANYTHING. Asking to have a blank deed of trust be signed and notarized is a huge red flag for everyone involved. Especially for the notary because if there is a claim of fraud made, liability falls squarely onto your shoulders as well for facilitating the grift. I say shame on them for demanding that you notarize a blank document. Shame on them for refusing to pay you. And shame on them for kicking you off their vendor list. That is not right at all.
Luckily for you, there are hundreds of other title companies out there who will appreciate your attention to detail and your unwillingness to break the law. Keep at it. #StandYourGround#AlwaysFollowTheLaw
You performed your due diligence as a Professional Signing Agent [PSA] - especially on a critical document; i.e., the Deed of Trust [DOT].
As we have all directly experienced (at one time or another), there are hiring entities that will request you to perform an âActâ that in good conscience is unable to be accommodated.
If one happens to âloseâ a client under those circumstances, be grateful.
Why?
Because if you accommodated that unseemly âAct,â itâs more than likely that the stakes would have been raised on the next event they present . . .
.
Always remember that you provide PSA services and at times the PSA is the last line of defense against fraud, etc.
Onward & Upward at this point in time.
Focus on developing additional professional clients & build those relationships.
The owner of Stewart Title lives in a beachfront mansion near me. I fingerprinted him back when they were expanding to other states. I am absolutely positive they wouldnât be involved in something as illegal as having you notarize a blank deed of trust.
i dont hold stewart title responsible⊠i blame the title agent that was handling it but since she represents stewart title. She did not care about notary law all she said was this is common with relocations and other notaries do it all the time and we will find one that will⊠and i got removed, banned and forfeited payment⊠it was a 60 page document all were executed except that one and there was a completed DOT in it that got signed and i notarized the signature
I am not saying this on my word i have a whole file of communication with CX choice and title saying its needs notarized blank due to not having a buyer and they will fill it in later. and also where i am placed on a do not use list as well as them saying title told them to remover me after i completed the signing dropped docs except the blank deed of trust. If stewart title contacts me i will provide all the evidence. I even tried to reason with the notary department at cxchoice and explained it all and they said the do not use stands still. i have that email too.
i am also in the process of finding legal counsel i talked with a few in wv since the signing happened here and all said yes they broke many laws but when they hear it stewart title no one want to go up against them.
Consider representing yourself. I donât think it will get to court. Write letters to corporate and run it up the chain. It is doubtful higher ups realize this is happening.
I also encourage you to keep pressing TCX for your payment in full. Donât give up!
I have since received an assignment for one of these. It is as @mjvoth says: the deed of trust is blank. I never had a dilemma because my signer decided not to go through with the transaction, but apparently these packets are regularly sent out with blank DOT.
percent.
