Hi, this is for Illinois notaries that are working direct with Title companies for purchase packages. I am seeking advice on how to approach the title companies in Illinois. Illinois is an attorney state and they do fund at the table. What strategies did you put in place to get your foot in the door?
@vickie.ridley In general, as I regularly state on the Notary Cafe forum, each individual is a business owner & the onus is upon each & every business owner to perform their own due diligence for any query regarding their business.
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With that stated . . . It’s certainly understandable that you’re sagacious in posing this query directed clearly to the Illinois Professional Signing Agents [PSAs].
However, over my many, many years as an independent contractor/business owner striving for business within this particular business sector, I’ve found that MOST other business owners hold their client list & techniques for garnering clients very close to their chest. It’s often managed akin to proprietary data.
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According to the internet . . .
THE FOLLOWING ARE ATTORNEY-ONLY STATES (in alphabetical order):
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Massachusetts
South Carolina
Vermont
West Virginia
On the other hand, there are some states that are considered “customary attorney states.”
THE FOLLOWING ARE “CUSTOMARY” ATTORNEY STATES (in alphabetical order):
Illinois
New Jersey (north)
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
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I hope you’re able to gain assistance from your fellow business owners there in Illinois.
Thank you for this information. When I became a notary, loan signing agent in 2020, I was informed that Illinois is in an attorney state. Didn’t realize we were a Customary state.
I appreciate the education.
Here is some specific data from the internet that you may find additionally helpful:
" Are attorneys required for real estate closings in Illinois?
When it comes to buying and selling property, Illinois is considered an “attorney state.” Lawyers participate in the real estate sale process as a matter of custom and practice. But there are no laws or ordinances that require a buyer or seller to use one."
Of course, your optimum source to confirm the methodology utilized would be to reach out to the organization that issues the Notarial Commissions; i.e. Secretary of State [SoS], etc.
@vickie.ridley No, I am in FL…but have been doing this for many years. There are many Illinois notaries on various forums who do loan signings…a quick google search revealed that attornies are not required in Illinois.
Now, if the law has changed, I am sure many IL notaries here and elsewhere would appreciate seeing the new statute or regulation that covers that. You can post it in the Law Related topic.
@vickie.ridley - Besides your SOS office as Linda suggested, you may also want to contact the Illinois BAR association at Contact the ISBA | Illinois State Bar Association. Or, Google is your friend. The information provided by Linda and cNsa5 is readily available with a Google search. So sorry but it appears the information you were given in 2020 was incorrect.
Hi Vickie,
Notary out of New York here. I am late to the punch here however per the national notary association
“In Illinois, North New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Ohio, attorney involvement in a real estate closing may be customary”
Per Lehose Law
“Legally, the answer is “no,” you don’t have to retain an attorney. However, In Illinois the majority of buyers and sellers hire an attorney to handle their real estate transaction.”
Generally in cases like this, getting direct title clients can be difficult because of societal custom however it is possible and with signings from signing services you may be able to take some of them.