Well several sources say signing agent. So whatever. LOL. Federal law doesn’t actually say one way or the other. I guess never is a relative term, right?
I would expect any rules against using a title containing the word “notary” to be issued by a state, not by the federal government. Notaries are appointed by state governments, not by the federal government.
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I was working as a title examiner when this form come out in the early 2000’s. The person certifying normally designated their title according to their capacity in signing the form. Most of our closers used the designation “closer”. They were notaries public as well but since they were not notarizing the document never used “notary public” as a title on the form. I don’t see how anyone could screw this form up by designating their function incorrectly unless a signing service requires you to use “notary public” as your title, in which case I would comply and use the designation since what you put down is meaningless to anyone else.
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You are incorrect. You are not acting as a notary public when you sign the Patriot Act form. It probably won’t be rejected but it is incorrect unless the signer fills it out, signs it and you notarize.
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That is the point I’ve been trying to get across. I don’t want to mislead anyone.
Thank you
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I’ve always been directed to use Notary Public. Same title I use on notarizations that request a title.
This didn’t even become a thing until recently so I expect I’ll keep saying Notary Public. It’s never been rejected. When I started signing agent was not accepted. So funny how things go.
Hi. I always use the title Notary Signing Agent when I’m servicing a signing. And I’m a “regular” notary for everything else.
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That’s exactly what I’ve been doing lately as well, without any issues from Signing Services.
Thank you for your time. Have a good day.
I’ve done thousands of closing since 2012 and have always used Notary Public for my title on the Patriot Act form. I’ve never had a title company reject acceptance of the form for that reason. I think Signing Agent or LSA would be fine but I don’t see the need to change now. 
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Thanks for your response. However, it’s not the Title company or the S.S. I’m concerned about. They don’t set the laws. If they ask you to bend the rules and do something illegal, like signing in another state because you are on the border, but say you were in the state you are commissioned in, would you do it? I don’t have near the experience you have, but I can’t in good conscious do something that I know is against the law and hope it doesn’t come up later, just because I refuse to change something, that’s in my opinion, an easy fix. 
Totally agree. This is an easy fix. And once you know, then you know… Thank you
Then you technically can’t be one without being the other. You invalidated yourself lol. Good luck getting through closings not being a notary.
I’ve never understood in my 6 years doing this why the real need for the ridged look at when to use and not use the title of notary public on docs. My profession is a Notary Public. That’s what I am and what I do. I don’t stop being a notary just because I’m not specifically signing a notary certificate. “risk of confusing someone” was stated earlier in this topic. Who’s being confused? When I meet a signer, they see me as a notary public. It’s not like I’m at a cross walk telling people when they can come and go with a badge that says “Notary Public” Is there really a need to be so analytical or are some just that bored? Penalty? Can someone please tell me if a notary has EVER gotten themselves in any trouble for putting that on there? If so I will be dumbfounded.
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Angel, you cannot be a signing agent without first being a notary public. But you certainly CAN be a notary public without being a signing agent. So IDK what you are talking about when you say I “invalidated” myself LOL Perhaps you misunderstand what I wrote?
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