@stacey3 may I make one suggestion? Going forward, only offer your business card. They have no need to see your driver’s license.
JMO
3 Likes
In my mind you did you did the right thing. It hasn’t happened to me but I would say no. Also in CA we don’t photograph a signers id as is often asked by out if state companies. I just respectfully ssy I cant because of CA
Because of CA laws that prohibit us from taking photos of ids. I have had a number of folks refuse to let me photograph their id as well.
Maybe provide a business card and direct them to your website or if you don’t have one use this one or the NNA or even your states webpage. If my Notary commission and my oath isn’t good enough and the insurance I carry isn’t enough we won’t do business.
Yep, as I previously stated, I did all of that. Thanks.
Sounds like signers who don’t understand how the process works were just satisfying their ego. 
When the clients hesitate, I suggest they would email the id copies straight to the title/lender. The Patriotic Act has all the information, so the title/lender can compare. But it’s only one out of 100 will hesitate. It happens very rarely.
This is a case of too much information too soon. The initial phone call should be limited to confirming the date and time of the appointment. Make sure to confirm all parties involved in the signing and the location. Lastly, please have a valid photo ID available. Anything more than that could cause complications and may not be in your best interest.
I agree, most signers haven’t met a human throughout the process and can’t be counted on to understand the loan signers’ role. They will start asking questions that you can’t answer.
I would have gave them the link to NNA that shows your profile and shows that you have under gone a back ground check. If they still want a copy of your DR I would have cancelled they will not be held accountable for identity theft but you are if your identity gets stolen. The other thing I would of done was reach out to the company that hired you and tell them they do not want you to take a photo copy of it and doesn’t want it uploaded on the internet. I don’t blame them if they don’t. Isn’t your job to look at the dr and verify it’s them doesn’t say anywhere it’s the law to copy it. That’s the title company wanting it.
1 Like
Thank you, that’s good advice. I’ll give them the NNA link next time. Signers may not even know that we undergo background checks.
1 Like
Curiously, no one has ever questioned me about my ID. I show up with my briefcase and that’s always been good enough for them… I read I think at NNA that we notaries should keep our IDs in our front pocket and present it at the door. That seems like overkill. I leave my wallet in my car with my ID. This way I won’t get robbed inside…LOL. I do present a business card though.
2 Likes
The NNA has it as best practice to show the signers your ID when you meet them. Most of us don’t do this but I leave my expired ID in my notary bag in case someone is insistent on seeing it. I do not want to go back to the car to get my valid ID out. Many signing companies send out an email with our picture and even the type of car we are driving. I have seen the emails sent out to Borrowers and if you are using an old photo, they might be a little surprised when the real you shows up. I used to carry business cards but they are an expense and I can say out of 1000 handed out, I received two jobs after. Not worth the money in terms of advertising but it might help signers perceive you as professional. This helps set the tone for the appointment.
Some of the big title companies are no longer requiring a copy of the IDs or they say to ask the signers to have a paper copy available. One company I work with has an app where you can upload the IDs without storing them on your phone. If the signer balks at providing a copy you cannot insist even if it is the request of the Lender. In this case let the Borrower know that they can send those images to Escrow directly by text or email, whichever is acceptable to both parties.
2 Likes
I agree with the others this is very unusual and would not allow them to take pic of my drivers license. If hiring co requires photocopies of IDs, I give borrowers a heads up when I confirm the signing appt. They can make photocopies themselves if they have the means. If not, then I bring my portable scanner/printer from my car. But in the beginning, I would take a photo with my phone and print when I got home to return with executed loan pkg.
1 Like
This is why you carry a copy of your commission card with you-this is what they can take a picture of, not your DL.
If a signer refuses to give you a picture or copy of their DL, then you have them send it directly to title while you’re sitting there. Then you verify that with title.
If they refuse to show you their DL, then you stop the signing.
1 Like
Don’t take photos with your phone or allow anyone else to take a photo of your ID. Use a portable scanner or the scanning app on your phone and delete immediately. Your phone is NOT secure and many hiring parties prohibit this. Funny how some LSA’s are so wierd about setting up an LLC (completely unnecessary and a big pain in MHO), or not filling out basic information about themselves with hiring entities but are totally blase about photographing ID’s.
Not everyone is issued a “commission card” - we here in FL don’t get them. The best we could do is carry our commission with us - which is on 8.5 X 11 paper.
1 Like
You can take that Commission certificate and shrink it down and make a commission card
Sometimes we have to take care of ourselves and not wait for someone else to do it for us
#noexcuses
Well, thank you for that tidbit. Bless your heart.
1 Like
Thank you for your comments but I welcome suggestions and yours were more like a command (and a little condescending). You wrote, “Funny how some LSAs are so weird…and blase…” - hope that wasn’t directed to me because you don’t really know me and that sounded like a dig. Also you said, “many hiring parties prohibit this,” meaning taking photos of IDs with a phone - like I said before, the hiring party and the signers approved my taking the photo so that point is moot in this case. I’ve received some really great advice and I’ve received some curt, unhelpful advice on this post and would like to encourage people to re-read their comments and consider the person on the receiving end.
1 Like