I keep a scanner tool on my phone for small sets like seller docs. Its Adobe Scan and it’s free to use. Aside from that I will go home and scan and they will have to wait that time. Companies don’t pay that well so they don’t have the right to dictate the need for one. I won’t but mobile machines for my car myself and I’ve been doing this for over 4 years.
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Well honestly most company’s do not want you to use any type of mobile scanner because it’s so easy for others to connect to your mobile servers that are open when scanning from a mobile device! You are supposed to scan from your address device that should be secured! It is so so so much safer. I hope this helped best wishes.
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Not “necessary” but it does come in handy if you have another appointment and don’t want to spend the extra time to go home and scan before you go to your next appointment. It “is” cumbersome at best to have to lug a laptop and portable printer and/or scanner around with you. So, we have to make a decision whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
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For me, a portable scanner has become invaluable!! I have an Epson DS-635 that plugs directly into my “Utility” laptop, no security problems. I use it at every signing to scan signer’s ID. It is used for the docs only occasionally, as mentioned above, if time is a factor and the package is manageable. More times than not the signers are more than willing to let 15-25 pages get scanned so the packet can ship in a timely fashion, mostly because they have skin in the game. McDonald’s and Starbucks are likely candidates otherwise. The Brother DS-635 is $100 at Wal-Mart and the software is easy and user friendly. Most cell carriers have a Mobile Hotspot option, so doing the scanbacks in a public setting or at a signers home, and is pretty darn secure, I don’t use it long enough to worry. The way I see it, having great tools in the toolbox only makes you a more valuable asset.
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75% of the signing I complete require scanbacks as FedEx and UPS cutoff times are 1 PM and I don’t own a mobile printer. I can’t image using a mobile scanner on a 175 page packet. I will send the scan backs 1 to 4 hours later depending on the work load.
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I decided to purchase same scanner as you have, when I have only few pages and I can drop after scan sent, I can go directly to UPS or FEDEX. If there is a full refinancing closing package, I prefer to scan from my office home, because sometimes I need to wait for their approval before dropping. I think is depends of the situation, and the title co requirements. If, there is a purchase closing is much better to scan the documents from the closing location and wait a few minutes before leaving the closing table, may be there is a missing page or any mistake which I can correct right there.
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I do it in on the floor of the passenger’s seat of my Camry. The scanner sits in a small carry-on suitcase on passenger’s seat floor. Easy to remove if I need it to. I have a small power source that can power up to 1000 watts that also sits on the floor.
While scanning isn’t the most fun thing to do, some Signing Agents make a bigger deal about it than it is.
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It’s only a big deal when they want the scans “immediately” after the signing and you’ve got another signing to get to.
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This is so refreshing to read! I’ve seen/heard youtubers and podcasters all over the place touting the absolute need for a mobile scanner as a prerequisite to being a successful signing agent with a high income. Yet, the reality is that I have been able to make great money as a signing agent, even while limiting myself to scanning documents only from my home office. Even with the added limitation of adhering to the 2 hour window for scanbacks, I have still able to make good money doing this work, often completing up to 3 signings in a day. I’m glad that I did not invest in what likely would have been a bad idea, at least for my business.
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I’ve been doing this for 20 years and it seems that the requests for scans has increased TREMENDOUSLY, just over the past coupla’ years. IMHO, the reason for most of these scan requests is to check that the notary completed the job correctly before originals are shipped. Time and money might be saved by hiring (and developing a working relationship with) a competent notary to begin with! If someone needs scans to close a deal same day or if the 3 day rescission somehow ends on the day that docs would be received, then I get it. If they want scans and I’m able to meet their deadline with my desktop scanner, then it’s no problem. Presently, I see no need for a mobile scanner. I think cfletcher made some very good points on this topic.
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If the hiring company REQUIRES same day ship but asks for a scan I sometimes ask them which is more important. And sometimes I’ll ask “have I returned an error?”
Because if they look - they often see that no I haven’t. But yes, lots of new notaries and LOTS of errors. I do have a few escrow officers who tell schedules to hire me. And those are the ones that say no you don’t have to scan. I’ll do a small scan with adobe on my phone but the big ones. I just adjust the drop time. Shipping where I live has limited pick up times.
@salliemaesioux Concur 
percent!
I would definitely get a scanner. I have the Epson small portable scanner. It has definitely came in handy since more title companies etc. are requiring scan backs. You can only do but so much on Adobe scan. Sometimes it takes a while for those files to even be sent to you/ the client’s email. It fits right in my notary bag.
I’m going to look at some models. Because of timing, I did a scan today using Adobe Scan on my phones. It was larger. Had to save in 3 parts because so many places you load a scan have size requirements and I’m not crazy about the compress feature.
I have 3 appointments by 1pm tomorrow and the first one is small no problem and I spoke to the other two about ship date because of the scan requirement so it’s possible to work around on the larger packages. But the 22-40 page packages a phone scan is fast and I can use the work area at the FedEx.
I just have to think about if it really makes sense for me.
Owning a small desk scanner and an inverter for your car can be valuable… during the covid experience… I had a full sized brothers printer(6200) and a small desk sized scanner (Epson DS 575W) in my truck. I dont carry the printer any more, but the scanner… very good tool… leave home with jobs… do signings … using my tablet, upload docs ( closed connection)… then send to signing platform via my phone’s hotspot… I have control of the docs… it helps with communication and trust with escrow clients and signing companies… added bonus, it impresses the signers when I use it in their homes … as said by others, it depends on how you want to do/present >your< business… my O.P. [Operating Principles]…accurate, responsive, trustworthy, from assignment accepted to assignment completed… work out the ways that work for you … then
RUN,RUN,RUN.
Yes, having a scanner is very important in this business. I’ve had an Epson 500W, and I’ve been using it daily—sometimes multiple times a day—for the past five years. It has worked very well. If I had to do it over again, I probably would have chosen one with a 100-page feeder, since most of our packages are over 100 pages. It’s much quicker to scan everything from the signer’s home using your laptop.
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My mobile scanner is one of my favorite pieces of equipment.
I have the Epson 580. I bought it refurbished through Epson and paid about half of what it sells for new. It has been great! It scans SO fast! If the job is under 100 pages, I don’t even need to bring my laptop because it goes through the phone. (Over 100 has to go through the laptop).
My suggestion would be to keep an eye out for a good deal and grab it when it comes up.
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Hi Angelique.
I see the value in the mobile scanner for loan signings.
What Type of mobile scanner do you use and do you recommend it?
There is several ones to use Fujitsu, ScanSnap iX100 or the one I have, Canon image FORMULA R10. I love the one I use. Even the clients ask where I get mine. AMAZON 
FYI Update: When using mobile scanners keep in mind the following in the use of such devices.
Does the mobile scanner have the following capability? Prevent illegal use of the borrower personal identifiable information by using some form of encryption? “Encryption means the transformation of data into a form that results in a low probability of assigning meaning without the use of a protective process or key, consistent with current cryptographic standards and accompanied by appropriate safeguards for cryptographic key material.” Please refer to the following: "This pertain PART 314—STANDARDS FOR SAFEGUARDING CUSTOMER INFORMATION Authority:15 U.S.C. 6801(b), 6805(b)(2).
Source:67 FR 36493, May 23, 2002, unless otherwise noted. § 314.1 Purpose and scope.
(a) Purpose. This part, which implements sections 501 and 505(b)(2) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, sets forth standards for developing, implementing, and maintaining reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of customer information." We have to see the “big picture”, when making such business decisions on the use of various devices in our business.
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