# When are professional creds not enough? **URL:** \ **Category:** Uncategorized\ **Created:** [June 21, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912 "2026-06-21T19:34:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lhrich](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/lhrich/32/33538_2.png) [@lhrich](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/lhrich)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/1 "2026-06-21T19:34:17Z")
22 years at signing tables, I have found it appropriate for SS/Title to require our credentials be furnished (Commission, Bond, E&O, Background, etc). Scanbacks to check us out is an OK nuisance. Some states even require Attorney conference call during signing (just a hard one on cell phone battery). It is disturbing of late the new trends. One SS in CA wants us to sign in to the “On Board” app which will monitor our travel to and from. They then require a Zoom connection from table with scanbacks for approval to ship while signer watches. Another requires I include copy of my Journal Entries. What is next? Certificate of Baptism? Voter Regis? Library Card? Proof of payment of gas/elec? Would it not be proper to ask SS/Title for personal and credit references? ---
**Author:** ![Arichter](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/arichter/32/35077_2.png) [@Arichter](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/Arichter)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2026, 7:48pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/2 "2026-06-21T19:48:54Z")
Haven’t run into that, but, if i did, think I’d give it back…saying ‘you need to find a less-experienced notary for all this’. ---
**Author:** ![cNsa5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/cnsa5/32/33381_2.png) [@cNsa5](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/cNsa5)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2026, 7:54pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/3 "2026-06-21T19:54:37Z")
@lhrich Hmmm . . . 🤔 That litany of requirements would promptly place the Signing Service [SS]/hiring entity into a 🚫 **Hard Pass** 🚫 category. ```auto ``` _It would also generate a baseline presumption that they must normally only be able to hire Professional Signing Agents [PSAs] with **little to no experience** to advance those types of demands._ ```auto ``` 🦢 ---
**Author:** ![n.deftereos92](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/n.deftereos92/32/38497_2.png) [@n.deftereos92](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/n.deftereos92)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2026, 11:49pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/4 "2026-06-21T23:49:45Z")
“Please upload Commission, Bond, E&O, Background Check, Journal, GPS Tracking, Live Zoom Feed, as well as a blood & hair sample.” “Ok and what’s the signing fee?” “$60” ---
**Author:** ![LindaH-FL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8baadc/32.png) [@LindaH-FL](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/LindaH-FL)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 2:15pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/5 "2026-06-22T14:15:34Z")
> [@lhrich](#): > > One SS in CA wants us to sign in to the “On Board” app which will monitor our travel to and from. They then require a Zoom connection from table with scanbacks for approval to ship while signer watches. Another requires I include copy of my Journal Entries. Does this not cross the line from “Independent Contractor” to “Employee”?? I’m with Arichter…I’d turn it back…but easy for me to say since I’m not doing them any more - thankfully ---
**Author:** ![steves11](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/steves11/32/34877_2.png) [@steves11](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/steves11)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 4:33pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/6 "2026-06-22T16:33:27Z")
They can get a copy of my journal entries when they start paying me “per notarization @ $15 each”, which is the current California rate. ---
**Author:** ![steves11](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/steves11/32/34877_2.png) [@steves11](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/steves11)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 4:38pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/7 "2026-06-22T16:38:13Z")
I would turn it back too. For one thing, I don’t carry a laptop into signings with me, nor a scanner. ---
**Author:** ![LindaH-FL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8baadc/32.png) [@LindaH-FL](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/LindaH-FL)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 4:46pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/8 "2026-06-22T16:46:59Z")
> [@steves11](#): > > They can get a copy of my journal entries when they start paying me “per notarization @ $15 each”, which is the current California rate. Yeah,.,.that would be nice…but you can’t charge that much…lol ---
**Author:** ![steves11](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/steves11/32/34877_2.png) [@steves11](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/steves11)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 7:16pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/9 "2026-06-22T19:16:14Z")
Legally, I “can” charge that much ($15 per notarization plus travel fee plus printing fee). Practically, though, I probably can’t (a package with 10 notarizations plus travel and printing would easily add up to over $200), especially if there was more than one signer. We all know they wouldn’t pay that (under the current structure). However, if they’re going to nitpick to the extent that they want copies of my journal entries, then I wouldn’t have any qualms about turning them down if they didn’t pay me those kinds of rates. ---
**Author:** ![Bobby-CA](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/bobby-ca/32/37586_2.png) [@Bobby-CA](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/Bobby-CA)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2026, 9:28pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/10 "2026-06-22T21:28:32Z")
Check the California notary handbook for more details. ---
**Author:** ![lilbnotary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lilbnotary](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/lilbnotary)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 3:05pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/11 "2026-06-23T15:05:02Z")
I would never give anybody my journal entries I don’t care who they are. I think the only people that are allowed to have anything like that is the Secretary Of state. I would say look. It’s private information just cause you’rea signing Co doesn’t mean I can give it to you. ---
**Author:** ![johnsonps306](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/johnsonps306/32/35090_2.png) [@johnsonps306](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/johnsonps306)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 3:06pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/12 "2026-06-23T15:06:23Z")
In WA the only access to a notary’s journal is given to a warrant. No warrant no looksie. ---
**Author:** ![LindaH-FL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8baadc/32.png) [@LindaH-FL](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/LindaH-FL)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 3:10pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/13 "2026-06-23T15:10:40Z")
Each state has laws that govern this - it may be private, but legitimate requests, submitted properly, must be fulfilled in most. I can’t speak for Florida as we are not required to maintain a journal (although I always have). But I know CA, as may other states, have provisions for how the request is to be made and how much the notary can charge for those copies. ---
**Author:** ![dgsdesigns](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/dgsdesigns/32/37657_2.png) [@dgsdesigns](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/dgsdesigns)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 9:14pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/14 "2026-06-25T21:14:43Z")
I have been asked for a copy of the journal entry and I stated it was for the state not the company. I won’t do zoom calls as I am usually in a remote area. Scans may not be able to be done at the table as I may not have internet. I make myself very clear on what is appropriate and not, along with ethical boundries on what they are allowed to have and have not. As others have stated, we can go by notarization print fee, travel fee, and I put on the mileage, mine can go up to $400 easy per signing. I also carry high E&O as I am also an Accountant, they try and push the limit. I also agree with another person stating we are IC not Employees, if they want an employee, then they should employ one in each county in each state to make it easier on them. See what that will cost them as I do payroll and I know what it will cost. I understand they are trying to keep the mistakes down, but don’t get newbies, get those with experience and see if you can get those experienced people to mentor the newbies. Newbies should pay the experienced ones to teach them how to properly do it, and then they wouldn’t have issues. I perfer working with the title companies directly, a lot less mess. ---
**Author:** ![nassar.torres](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/nassar.torres/32/34173_2.png) [@nassar.torres](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/nassar.torres)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 2:25pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/15 "2026-06-27T14:25:43Z")
This is a phenomenal response and I am 100% in agreement with you. Signing companies are getting dangerously close to crossing the line between IC and employee with their requirements. The burden needs ro be shifted back to them to do a better job seeking experienced notaries both to execute signings and mentor the greenies. In fact, I see opportunities for us more experienced notaries to add mentorship as a service offering. I might look further into that for my own business. ---
**Author:** ![nassar.torres](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/nassar.torres/32/34173_2.png) [@nassar.torres](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/nassar.torres)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 2:26pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/16 "2026-06-27T14:26:20Z")
I could not agree more! I would blacklist that company after a stunt like that. ---
**Author:** ![notary](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/notary/32/33515_2.png) [@notary](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/notary)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 2:49pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/17 "2026-06-27T14:49:40Z")
Have notaries been told there are to many of us so fees are low? Are there to many signing services and is that why they can’t get higher fees from title? Are there to many title companies and is that why they can’t get higher fees from lenders? Are there to many lenders and is that why they can’t get higher fees from borrowers/sellers/buyers? Is there a concept of paying for what you want? If you want more mistakes pay lower fees??? ---
**Author:** ![johnsonps306](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/johnsonps306/32/35090_2.png) [@johnsonps306](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/johnsonps306)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 3:59pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/18 "2026-06-27T15:59:18Z")
Notaries take low fees because they’re afraid of not getting any work at all. At some point, they have to recognize they lose money doing that and stop. I have a minimum that I don’t deviate from and I have fees per location in my region that I don’t deviate from in fact some locations I keep raising those fees. I work a lot. And I stopped losing money a long time ago. I don’t think signing agents become signing agents with a realistic understanding of the industry. Keep your day job as you build your reputation. Or have the means to hold out for profitable fees. I had to live on 401(k) while I was building the business to reach the point where I can function on what I earn. If notaries are told there are too many of us - who is going to tell them that? No one making money from their entry into the business, that’s for sure. ---
**Author:** ![LindaH-FL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8baadc/32.png) [@LindaH-FL](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/LindaH-FL)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 4:20pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/19 "2026-06-27T16:20:54Z")
@johnsonps306 Thank you - this is what we’ve been preaching for along time. This is one of THE best posts I’ve seen … now…how do we get notaries to realize the are (a) not employees, but ICs who set their own realistic fees; and (b) that “take whatever you can get so you can gain experience” is a crock of that good old stuff and a losing proposition? ---
**Author:** ![Arichter](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/arichter/32/35077_2.png) [@Arichter](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/Arichter)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 5:38pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912/20 "2026-06-27T17:38:27Z")
Have to disagree that no one is making money from a newb’s entry into the biz. Lots of mostly newbs have bought worthless directory listings, equipment they really don’t need, high-priced courses, memberships, etc. Other than that…you nailed it. [Next page](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/when-are-professional-creds-not-enough/56912.md?page=2)