# New, Nervous Notary Signing Agent **URL:** \ **Category:** Beginner's Questions\ **Created:** [June 11, 2026, 12:16pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/new-nervous-notary-signing-agent/56797 "2026-06-11T12:16:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![michaelgodbey06](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@michaelgodbey06](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/michaelgodbey06)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 12:16pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/new-nervous-notary-signing-agent/56797/1 "2026-06-11T12:16:33Z")
I’m a new Notary Signing Agent and nervous about accepting my first assignment. Worried I won’t get it right and mess something up. I’ve had offers but reluctant to accept. I’ve been through the NSA certification program and passed the test but having the knowledge and being able to do it are two different things. ---
**Author:** ![takenotenotaryservices](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/takenotenotaryservices/32/35293_2.png) [@takenotenotaryservices](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/takenotenotaryservices)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 12:24pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/new-nervous-notary-signing-agent/56797/2 "2026-06-11T12:24:52Z")
How will you know if you never try? Nobody is perfect, even though we are made to feel like we have to be. Check and recheck your work before uploading scans and or dropping the docs. Ask questions for the things you’re unsure about. Title offices and lenders I have worked with would much rather answer a question than have to delay a closing to correct a mistake. ---
**Author:** ![cNsa5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/cnsa5/32/33381_2.png) [@cNsa5](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/cNsa5)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 12:30pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/new-nervous-notary-signing-agent/56797/3 "2026-06-11T12:30:58Z")
@michaelgodbey06 Please take a few moments to review my **[Reply](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/beginner-notary-signing-agent/56796/3)**[](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/beginner-notary-signing-agent/56796/3)to the other new thread you created. 🦢 ---
**Author:** ![johnsonps306](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/johnsonps306/32/35090_2.png) [@johnsonps306](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/johnsonps306)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 12:42pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/new-nervous-notary-signing-agent/56797/4 "2026-06-11T12:42:32Z")
You have to jump in and just do it. ---
**Author:** ![cNsa5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/cnsa5/32/33381_2.png) [@cNsa5](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/cNsa5)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 1:44pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/new-nervous-notary-signing-agent/56797/5 "2026-06-11T13:44:59Z")
@michaelgodbey06 Oh! Another very **IMPORTANT** step to your success . . . ```auto ``` _ **Please research the business entity & their affiliated reputation PRIOR to providing any Professional Services.** _ **===\>\>\>** Remember that for the Professional services you provide include associated **ACTUAL DIRECT** out-of-pocket expenses that become a **financial liability** you’re incurring for that specific SO; i.e., _gasoline, turnpike/ferry fees, paper, toner, binder clips, pens, envelopes, hand sanitizer, wipes, etc._ ```auto ``` Many of us have a PAYMENT POLICY & **identify those requirements** when accepting Signing Orders [SOs] from a new client. That is normally one of the non-negotiables during the SO Acceptance discussion. Here is an example of a payment policy: _“Fee is due and payable for services rendered at the time service is provided - regardless of/not contingent upon borrower(s) signing, the loan funding status, or the purchase/sale/refinance finalization status.”_ _ **The PAYMENT POLICY STATEMENT is also included on each invoice for every client.** _ _ **REMEMBER** _ that your out-of-pocket expenses are promptly due (_whether cash payment or credit card_) immediately or _ **within 21-25 calendar days** _ (_per credit card statement_). Ergo, you **owe it to yourself** to ensure that your CASH FLOW is available within that timeframe. _ **Want to learn how to Create your own individualized Schedule of Fees?** _ Review this **Notary Cafe** **[thread](http://forum.notarycafe.com/t/important-guideline-for-creating-your-schedule-of-fees/42539)**. ```auto ``` **Always remember** to make an important **distinction** when asking about _payment turnaround time_ during the negotiation interval: . - “Is that 21 _Calendar_ days? Or, 21 _ **Business** _ days?” When doing the math, it reveals there is a _ **much longer** _ turnaround time for payment with the **Business days** counting ‘method’ . . . - **Trust (but _verify_).** Always vet a client PRIOR to the initial transaction. Ask “What is your payment interval?” Be certain that you confirm the interval is in **calendar** days or **business** days as there’s a **LARGE difference** between the two . . . Accept the SO if it meets your criteria and add the caveat that you’ll be _ **researching** _ their business regarding payment history & _ **may need to return** _ the SO to them if there are concerns about prompt remuneration of successfully provided Professional Signing Agent [PSA] services.. - **Remember to always keep notes about the payment interval agreement.** - **If you have a NEW client with one outstanding invoice, hesitate on accepting additional SOs until payment is made.** **WHY?** Often, business entities that have a “sketchy” history of paying PSAs, they’ll often schedule MULTIPLE SOs close together. Before you know it, you have a NEW client with **5 or 6 outstanding invoices**! Non-payment could result in financial difficulties . . . - **Be Professional.** - **Remain calm.** - **Don’t respond to ad hominem attacks (nor reciprocate).** - **Take legal action when all else fails . . .** ```auto ``` The following are a few _general insights_ regarding the **management** of your Accounts Receivable transactions. _These are not necessarily in order of priority . . ._ - **ALWAYS submit an invoice directly to your client; that is, unless they’ve specifically identified that one isn’t necessary.** Of course, you’ll want to follow that account across the ‘maiden voyage’ to ensure that business entity **DOES pay** without receiving an invoice directly from you. After that **confirmation** of successful payment, continue to monitor receipt of payments. - **DO keep an abbreviated payment turnaround interval.** A reasonable payment timeframe with a Title/Escrow Company [T/EC], Attorney, etc. is 5 to 7 calendar days. For Signing Services [SSs], 7 to 21 calendar days. ```auto ``` **NOTE:** _Some SSs issue checks/Automated Clearing House [ACH] payments on the 1st & the 15th of each month. As such, their payment interval may be **a bit longer** than noted._ ```auto ``` 🦢 ---
**Author:** ![tlstewart.notary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@tlstewart.notary](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/tlstewart.notary)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/new-nervous-notary-signing-agent/56797/6 "2026-06-11T15:12:34Z")
Michael, These are exactly my feelings as well!!! I was just getting on here to post these thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/notarycafe/original/2X/5/536ced5cfa77a57223f140e81670eb5e2685a07d.jpeg) [@system](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2026, 3:13pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/new-nervous-notary-signing-agent/56797/7 "2026-09-09T15:13:30Z")
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