NNA Membership

What I've Learned (Tips and Tricks)
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I started off in 2020 researching a new gig in my semi retirement. I say semi because I will do this as long as I can drag my rear out the door and legibly write!

NNA seemed the quickest way to get my certifications and get up and running. I bought the insurance, I bought the BI, I bought the books, did the NSA testing and set up my profile. Yay me.

Somewhere in there the MN Licensed Signing Agent was not mentioned or downplayed, but I caught it eventually and got it. No where did it say that Background Online is the only recognized BI provider they will add to your profile or accept! No where did it say that 2 components are missing from other BI’s sometimes.

Leap ahead, 2026, BI needs renewal. I dutifully submit my 89 bucks, and wait. And wait. And wait. Technical problems. Can’t send authorization to Background Online. It has to be a digital token from NNA so I can go online and give them info. ??? Why can’t I go straight to them (BO) and get it rolling? Because NNA says so. NNA refunds 89 bucks. Backgrounds Online says that is how it is! Fine. No estimate on when it will be up and running again and I need a BI to get work. Especially in August! So I get one from BackgroundChecks.com. $94. Send the new one to NNA. Their response: it is missing 2 components!! What? Argh. So Signature Closers recommends DISA (formerly crimcheck) and it HAS the 2 components needed. I pay 52 bucks and get all the components needed. Send it to NNA. I get a phone call. I tell them to please update my record and SA profile. Sorry, no can do, we only use Backgrounds on line!!! Are you kidding me? So that is where it stands and Solidifi is complicit with them as they refer to NNA for their credentials on Notaries. I sent them the BI and we will see if they will take it.

The utter arrogance and GREED exhibited by NNA in disallowing alternatives is mind boggling.

For $30 bucks spiff per BI from Backgrounds Online, they are purporting to represent all of the notaries in the US. Do you NNA people feel like maybe this is a money making organization over member representation? Does this truly represent a member oriented company?

Bottom line, I presented this to NNA and I am interested in their response, especially as it pertains to allowing fully compliant BI’s to be added and referenced by dues paying members. Their supplies are higher, their training is higher and I sincerely question the altruistic nature of this organization.

Coincidentally, I am questioning my membership due in October also. I would be interested in hearing any equivalent alternatives and certifications that might open up other markets for me.

This is my full time gig and I have 2000 signings to date. I know my stuff.

Let’s get some feedback on this!

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I have always found it interesting that it’s an .org or not for profit organization.

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Try this practical fix, which sidesteps a fight with NNA entirely, while still accomplishing your real goal — showing you have fully compliant background checks so your working relationships can stay intact. Rather than waiting on NNA to change its policy (or spending time and energy fighting them on it), you can go directly to the people who actually hire you.

Here’s what I would add to my profile text biography field:
My current background investigation reports are from DISA and BackgroundChecks dot com (expiring MM/DD/YYYY), completed after NNA’s designated provider experienced an extended processing outage. Both meet full SPW/industry compliance standards. Copies available on request

Here’s the email I’d send to companies I have a great on-going working relationship:
Hi [Name],

Quick update on my background screening — NNA’s designated provider (Backgrounds Online) has been experiencing an extended processing outage, so my current background investigation reports are from DISA and BackgroundChecks dot com instead, expiring [MM/DD/YYYY]. Both meet full SPW/industry compliance standards.

I wanted to flag this directly in case it affects anything on your end. Happy to send over copies of either report right away if that’s helpful — just let me know.

Thanks for your continued trust — looking forward to more signings together.

[Full Name]
[NNA ID # / Signing Agent ID, if applicable]
[Phone] | [Email]

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2000 signings in about 68 months, an average of one signing every day, phew! that’s cool!

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This is a little disenchanting to read, being new to Notary. I began to suspect something was off with the NNA when it took over a month for my stamp to arrive. I sat on hold for hours multiple times and left several emails with no response. I really don’t want to be forced to deal with them, but it looks like their certification is the industry standard. It’s unfortunate that they are a pay to play organization. I suppose, even though it would be difficult, I would be better off going it alone. Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated. Location: Missouri

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Welcome to Notary World, joeshepard615!

Some facts:

If you want to work with them, the large title companies require the background check provided by NNA (or Sterling; but, I’ve read on some forums about other notaries having issues with Sterling).
You don’t have to be a member of NNA to get their background check.
Most of those same large title companies do not require certification.
NNA is in business to make a profit, a large profit. They are not in business to advocate for notaries and/or their members.
NNA is very good at marketing.

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@joeshepard615 If you want to learn more about that For-Profit business entity, Search for the Keyword ‘NNA’ within the Notary Cafe database.

Here’s one thread to get you started.

I’ve performed a cursory Search on your behalf. Here is a listing of the threads from the Search results.

:swan:

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@joeshepard615 To be helpful, I’ve inserted an image to locate the Search Function. It unlocks the wisdom & knowledge of other Notary Cafe members on the forums.

image
image741×113 38.8 KB

SPECIAL NOTE: Accessing the database to locate information about potential clients has saved many of us an inordinate amount of time ‘chasing’ payments for Services professionally provided to potential non-payers . . . :crown:

:swan:

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You can buy your stamp from anywhere as long as you have your commission. I wasn’t happy with the stamp I got on Amazon. But there’s notarystamp dot com you can even get one from staples on line. I order things piece meal at NNA it’s cheaper that way but I get my stamp from other places. You just have to send a copy of your commission for them to verify

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Thank you! Im starting to realize the NNA is not a one stop shop even though that’s what they want to be. After perusing the forum and threads here I’ve realized that they are only good for insurance and background checks. I’m currently looking for a good place for LSA training. I would be grateful for any suggestions.

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I don’t mind their training for LSA, but I get the exam from them as a single purchase which is a lot easier. After years, I just take the exam, pass it and get re-certified. This year it was I think sixteen dollars.

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@joeshepard615 – Notary2Pro has a long-standing positive reputation for training.

I’ve been a NSA for over 20 years. The only “training” I had was to become a notary. My best recommendation is to know your state’s notary laws/regulations thoroughly. Keep updated on them. If you’ve purchased your own real estate, you probably have your copy of the documents. You can review them to get thoroughly acquainted with the intent of each document. That gives you the gist of how to present them and how to help the signers find the info in the document. We are there to present the document – not to interpret them.

Good luck!

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Thanks yolicue, present vs interpret is important to point out. I’ve been asked before “what is it for” and I’ll say, well I tell you where to sign and how to sign I can’t really explain why you sign, should we stop and ask the title officer?

Most times people are just thinking out loud.

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@joeshepard615 Here is a post with detailed information about Notary2Pro Training & Certification Programs:

:swan:

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NNA is what they all want, and the company they chose consistently has data breeches. Nothing we can do. I’m sorry you are experiencing this nightmare, just hang in there. Maybe just start over again?

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I get mine from amazon, usually comes in 3-4 days. Pretty damn convenient too and they don’t seem micro sized or cheap like the ones signing companies send you with your certificate.

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16 bucks? I paid 89 for the renewal and Background check. Is that different or do you have a discount code?

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Mine took a week…was annoying and I had to look up my status because I still haven’t gotten an email update…

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I called and ordered individually. I paid $89 for the background check. But you can order the exam as a separate thing. If you pass you’re renewed. Those package deals are not deals.

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I didn’t like the one I got from Amazon the ink wasn’t dark enough. And re-inking a stamp can make a real mess. I have two so I will re-ink one and leave it sitting for a while otherwise I’ll be in the middle of a job and get an ink link. But my first 4 years instead of re-inking I would get a new stamp and that got expensive. So I had to work on a process that didn’t get ink everywhere.