Today the offer was $50 for 6 pages 45 minutes away I countered over double that and got the call to award. Then was told 2 witnesses were required and I could be one and would I be bringing the 2nd at which point I declined the order. I don’t fool with witnesses.
But that an order requiring 2 witnesses was offered at $50 is shocking to me.
I also don’t like orders at 7pm so that was a good escape.
Similarly, I avoid two witness situations UNLESS, I can be one of the witnesses and I am assured by the signers that they can procure a proper witness with sufficient ID. I’ve been burned twice when the signers’ witness didn’t show. I had to walk on one and knock on neighbors’ doors to find the other one.
I’ve turned down thousands of dollars of signings because of this two witness jazz. I don’t like it but witness procurement and payment to is just too much hassle. I believe the originator of the documentation should advise the signers to have witnesses ready and available to help ensure a smooth signing. It makes little sense to me to turn a notary into a recruiter. Maybe there’s something I don’t know.
I totally agree with you on the witnesses., I believe the signer should get their own witnesses. Also 7pm for a signing is late for me too. I got an offer last night for 8:30pm. No way!!
I agree that signers should provide witnesses. And under no circumstances should the fees offered be designed for a notary AND witnesses. But they aren’t making those rules with me in mind so I don’t take those orders. I’ve done a few Florida transactions and what’s funny about that is the hiring party told Title WA didn’t require the witnesses.
No idea what happened when that paperwork reached Florida, but I was told twice witnesses weren’t required on Florida deeds notarized in Washington. I don’t try to tell anyone the law. I only know I completed those signings with no witnesses and got paid on time with no requested do over.
In the summer when days are long, I might work that late but not in the winter. I get up WAY too early. Regardless of what time I go to sleep.
Very simple answer have the signer to ask their next door neighbor to be a witnesses.
Yeah, I’ll guarantee you that deed didn’t get recorded and got sent back for a re-do; or when title got the deed back and was prepping for recording, they witnessed it in the office.
I received an order request with witnesses this morning. They offered $100. I countered with $135 and got it. When I discovered that witnesses were required due to it being a Florida property, I told them that the signer would have to provide the 2nd witness (I would be one witness as the notary). I spoke to the signer and he had a witness so it’s good to go for tonight. My point is that I will never be responsible for bringing a 2nd witness to a signing. I don’t need that kind of hassle. I’d rather give the job back.
In Florida, a Notary Public may serve as a witness in a notarial act, but I choose not to act as both witness and Public Official during any loan signing or general notary work. When two witnesses are needed, the signer must provide one and I will hire my wife to be the second. If she is not available, the signer must provide their own two witnesses.
This signing service has offered the same order for almost 3 days now. Because no one wants to provide witnesses for a $50 order. Which is a ridiculous ask.
I believe that it is the signer’s responsibility to have their own witnesses. I actually should not act as a witness and a Notary Public/Signing Agent at the same time, therefore, I no longer accept these signing appointments.
Must be Florida! I live here and lately not wanting to pay extra and most think we ride around with our witnesses. All deeds here require an additional witness.
Hilton resort property in Florida. I’ve done a bunch of closings for Hilton, but I won’t do the ones that are in Florida.
The last time I took a signing and the borrower was supposed to provide the witness.. the witness never showed up and none of the immediate neighbors were home AND the cell service was horrible so I couldn’t communicate very well with the signing company. Ended up having the signer follow me to a nearby McDonald’s and begged 2 people before I found someone to witness. I had to ask the signing company for an extra trip fee and have not taken a witness signing again. That was probably 2 years ago!
Nice to see you on here! I miss you doing YouTube videos. They were always a treat for me! 
Hi! I really appreciate your opinion. Thanks for your feedback. I’m still in YouTube with more Notary-related videos to help you and others. Check out my channel. @carla-stewart-notary-public
In NC the notary can not be a witness. You cannot get this thru some signing companies heads. They be trying to tell you that you can when you know You can not be a witness. I tell them to find another notary because I am not going to do it.
I turned down at least two orders a day for people looking for this. I don’t feel I should have to provide a witness for a client. The fee includes payment for two witnesses, which is usually about an extra $25 each. So I’m supposed to go round up some people and drag them to come out to sign documents for $25
Agreed, that is extremely low for a witness signing. I usually charge an extra $50 if I can provide a witness. Which is about 1/3 of the time. Nothing like taking a signing and finding out you need a witness.
I agree. I don’t do witness signings either unless the signers have their witness. I have never seen or heard of this requirement before. 24 yrs and now the notary has to have a witness?
