I’d generally agree with what the California Notary Handbook says. But except for the I-9 form, it would apply just as much if the person helping with the form wasn’t a notary at all. It’s just that a non-notary helper, if caught, would be punished by the courts, not by the Secretary of State. A notary helper could be punished by both the courts and the Secretary of State.
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Yeeks… not worth the risk for me. LOL
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I took ONE that was called a property inspection but I had to call a number which got a loan officer on the phone, he was really rude to this woman who said “you need to call my phone I’m not having this conversation on this woman’s phone when I don’t know who she is”. So she gives him a number and he tells me I can hang up.
He calls me in about 20 minutes - she gave him a bad number. He asked how far I was away from that property and I said, I followed all instructions, I’m almost home and not inclined to return to that address". I got paid but - not my kind of assignment. Other assignments are taping collection letters to front doors. There are some neighborhoods I just won’t do that. Big yikes.
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I’m also in California (what’s left of it, anyway). I’m a former fraud investigator and expert witness (commerical banking) and I’ve learned a thing or two. Here’s one of them: avoid completing forms for signers/principals in a notary situation. The notary that does NOT follow this practice (even though “helping out” may be well intentioned) opens themselves up to a potential claim that the entries on the form were erroneous, forged, fraudulent or otherwise unauthorized by the signer/principal. Who needs that? Where is the notary’s defense? As a notary, you have no clue as to what scary thing your well-meaning involvement has gotten you into. You just don’t know. But, if it’s contentious or nefarious, you’ll find out soon enough.
If you’re asked to complete a form on behalf of a signer/principal while you’re in a notarial capacity, politely decline and explain that the laws in your state prohibit you from taking such action. It’s not hard to do that and you’ll save yourself a ton of grief if things go sideways.
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Precisely, Bobby! 
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Carmen from fellow Washingtonian you relate very good points. Wish everyone posting would identify state of notary work. To those discussing , I-9s not my thing even though I know how to complete form. My reasons should be Human Resource function and often copied I9 forms are not legible. Local UPS store was providing service for a short while and stopped. They asked me if I wanted to provide service and I passed. Local UPS Notaries always asking me for information I refer them to other sources for information ~ at times Embassy in Seattle. Changing world out there and keeps us on our toes.
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They also want us to be photographers
I’ve had signings where they want the signers face
and the signers ID in the same photo and the numbers
on the ID have to be legible. Regardless of the lighting, that can be challenging.
I refuse to take signings where they want me to photograph the signers face. If companies are performing their screenings of clients properly, would not be necessary. Case in point ~ I went to a signing with CEO and company owned 50 properties locally. CEO’s picture is on their website. He refused to have photo taken and asked for name and phone number of person making this request. On speaker phone reamed the person out and almost walked away from deal. Phone person tripped of herself in apologies and relayed to us it was her signing company requirement not title. This requirement for me began approx. 1 year ago and I continue to refuse those signings.
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alice2uworld
What an experience. wow.
the signing company should be ashamed
privacy should be prioritized
As signing agents we experience a lot of stuff. The frosting on the cake on this assignment is another person from signing agency called me and asked me why I did not take photo of signer. Gave me great pleasure to tell that person signer said you were unprofessional and was going to cancel the agreement. Told that person they need to rethink their methods. Gee she hung up on me 
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Hi,
I Also, I am a realtor in Texas as well as a mobile notary.
Do you mind if I ask you what companies you are signed up with to do these inspections with photos as a realtor?
I signed up with Clear Capital and Stewart.
Thank you
ProxyPics. There’s a mobile app. You can’t get hired on any property you do other work on.
We Buy Houses also asks the same thing. Usually through Notary Dash. I bought a laser measure specifically for these types of signings. They pay decent enough for 30 minutes worth of work. I also signed up with Asteroom to do 360 degree tours of houses. I can use the set up for my own personal use and I do offer that service on my website now. I’ve only had 1 local real estate agent show interest, but she’s a personal friend and is also my boyfriend’s selling agent. I’ll take the business where I can! 
You might not realize, property inspectors in WA require special training/licensing Get your license: Home inspectors | Washington State Department of Licensing.
(property inspectors in S. Dakota also require special training/licensing: South Dakota Real Estate Commission - Consumer Information)
I dont think this is property inspection. Ive been a real estste broker for 41 years. Property inspectors look at structure, electrical, plumbing, etc. They have extensive knowledge of construction. These offers i have received are called inspections but generally are to let a bank get info without having to hire an appraiser. They have a program to make a floorplan and require pictures. The only thing the bank gets is their generated Floorplan and photos that show housekeeping and general condition. Ive been doing this for years minus the floorplan app and banks i work with require a real estate license. My inspections for banks is a notch more involved.
OK maybe OK for your state. But in Washington, rules are specific:
“Who needs a license?**
**Anyone who examines the conditions of a home for a fee.”
Are photos an inspection? Probably not.
Some folks may be looking for a gray area where there isn’t one. In Washington, if I receive an assignment request from a potential hiring company that contains the word “property inspection” and my specific instructions are to take photos and/or measurements of a property, they are very clearly asking me to perform property inspection duties. No gray area. Otherwise why wouldn’t that company just be advertising a free-lance photography gig for anyone to do? Because some companies are trying to circumvent paying for a professional qualified and licensed property inspector when they can ask a notary to do faster and it for a fraction of the price. If a notary or signing agent does takes on property inspection duties and makes a mistake, or is accused of making mistakes, breaking the law, etc., their notary and signing agent E&O isn’t going to cover them. Just like with speeding, or driving without a license, without insurance, etc., it is quite possible a person could do it and get away with it. Happens all the time. Not worth the risk, for me.
I get that you are saying some states may permit notaries or other unlicensed individuals to perform property inspections. Washington isn’t one of them for sure. I want to highlight for newbies reading this forum that they need to pay attention to advice given here, be wary of assignment requests you receive, and make sure it complies with their state laws.
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