Notary public fee

[mary.e.minnis]

How is it legal to list on the Alta Settlement Statement that they paid $150.00 to the notary public but the actual fee paid is $100.00???

[Arichter]

You may not be the only notary involved and/or it’s a ‘blanket fee’ which also covers SS & you.

[johnsonps306]

It’s completely legal. What if the notary makes mistakes and a re-sign is required. Signing Services also have to make some sort of fee to stay in business. Don’t look at those fees thinking it’s somehow your money. It’s a mistake to do that.

[lindas12]

I see that also and I called the company it said I was getting 175. But yet I got 125.. They said they received the difference I believe. But the customer is thinking I received the quoted amount.

[johnsonps306]

Don’t discuss fees with signers. It’s not professional. They pay for someone to find them a notary to come to their house. You get hired by someone who incurs a lot of cost associated with hiring a notary. Don’t call whoever hired you to complain about the fee on the Closing Disclosure. It’s not your business. That’s a great way to have that service, title company and lender request that you never work on their paperwork again.

It rarely comes up for me. And I’ve handled a couple thousand. If someone mentions it I say that’s for the Notary Service not necessarily me. Signers know it’s not open for discussion if they choose to mention it. I cover Page 1 of a closing disclosure, here is your fixed amount your fixed rate you’re fixed payment for principle and interest - they either have escrow or don’t. I point to the amount paid for the transaction and either the amount they have to wire or can expect to receive and I say everything you paid for your transaction is itemized on the following pages take all the time to review it and hand it to them with the signature page on top pointing out any questions regarding these figures you have contact information for Title and the Lender right here.

Most signers get a CD before we get there. There is rarely a reason to go line by line after page 1 for a signer. I open every meeting with, “I may hand you a document with the signature page on top however you should feel free to take all the time you would like to and review or read the document”.

Getting questions about notary fees means notary fees have been specifically pointed out. It’s not necessary. And the closing disclosure isn’t your contract. Why would you review that number and think someone owes you money? There’s no way you ever took training that suggesting that thinking.

Sorry if I sound harsh but a notary can get blackballed for that.

[LindaH-FL]

I agree with @johnsonps306 - if the question comes up, just say “that’s for a variety of notarial functions, not just my services. A lot goes on behind the scenes before we get to where we are now”.