I’ve tried to find this answer before posting. When you print the second set of documents will you notarized the copy for the client?
NO, do not notarize the client copy. Only notarize the set of documents that you are executing/signing with the borrowers and returning back to the hiring company.
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Thanks love, I actually ran across someones instructions thay asked to do that.
They instructed you to notarize the clients set of documents in the signing agent instructions? Wow. That is not normal. If I saw that in my instructions – if they did not make it clear in the beginning when I gave the original quote – I would call them back and explain I must charge accordingly if they are asking me to do twice the number of notarizations.
We normally print 2 sets of documents – 1 for borrower, 1 to execute and return. That is expected. But we don’t normally notarize BOTH sets of documents. Anyone else want to weigh in?
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Yeah , also I keep printing the clients copy to get there and they already have a copy, this happens a lot with Loan Modifications and HUD Partials.
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Not uncommon with Loan Mods, but sometimes what they have is a copy of the initial estimate, not the final-final documents. Still, I’d rather they already have a copy of the documents because it increases likelihood that they have actually read through their loan docs before your arrival. (Which means the signing appointment will go that much quicker 
)
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I have to agree with Carmen. I find it odd to have you notarize the clients set because now there isn’t just one original set to execute. I could see them being sent a copy of the executed documents but notarizing both sets is an odd ask. I too would have to adjust me fee for this as it requires double the amount of work agreed upon and expected. But again it’s something they can get a copy of .
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I Googled “Why are documents notarized?” and this is the response:
Documents are notarized to prevent fraud by having an impartial Notary Public verify the identity of the signers, confirm their willingness to sign, and witness the signing in person. This process assures that the signatures on the document are genuine and that the signatories understood the contents of the document, giving it legal weight and authenticity for important financial, legal, or property transactions such as real estate deeds, wills, and powers of attorney.
I completely agree with this response. In light of that (and because this was in my training both as a notary and, in years gone by, as a fraud investigator) I would never notarize the second set of documents in a loan package or any other duplicate documents. While it may provide some degree of “comfort” to the requestor, it serves no legitimate purpose and can, in fact, complicate matters if documents are altered, swapped out or otherwise tampered with.
I’m no lawyer and I’m not even a court-qualified expert, but I’m not notarizing second sets of docs, especially when I’m not paid for it and I have to go to the trouble of recording it all in my journal (as required in my state of Califnutia).
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I have to agree, I’d feel very uncomfortable with an order that states in the instructions to notarize a second set (loan mods excluded) , I probably would ask to be removed from it .
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I don’t even understand why anyone would ask us to do that. I would simply say no.
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If you’re closing a loan in California, you have to leave a copy. Because of that rule, in my 27 years of loan signing, I have on occasion had a request to notarize the copies. I refused each time, stating I cannot create 2 originals, no question. You’re in charge, so you shouldn’t show weakness or the signers will distract you and you’ll end up making mistakes.
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No, they get an unsigned copy in a manilla envelope. In 4 years, ive only had one signer want the signed copies. I emailed them after my scan. Not sure the banks or lenders would approve 2 originals.
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I’ve never been allowed to email any copies of anything to a signer. Instructions have always said they have to ask title directly for a signed copy via email.
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