You thinking you deserve a 25.00 cut to find someone that most likely you already know? The fee is for their time, you are already being paid for yours.
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Wow. The workers truly subsidizes the industry. 1 hour there and 1 hour back and 1 hour for the process that is a lot of time.
A lot of assumptions there. We all run our business the way we think it is best. All the best to you and your process.
What you choose to charge for a 2nd witness is up to you. Doesnāt matter what your hiring party wants ($25). Itās what your witness needs to make that trip. I happen to live in a stupid expensive county so I pay my witnesses $75. Not going to haggle with anyone over the price either. I do not mark that up either since these are usually attorney requests and I need to hold down the costs. I also donāt care if the hiring party or clients donāt like the price. The signers can ask a neighbor. Or I offer to meet at a Starbucks and will ask the guy at the next table if heāll sign (for free). Iāll do a lot for my clients but Iām not going to stress about providing a witnessā¦ the signers can take responsibility. My 2 centsā¦
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Lately, Iāve gotten a bunch of these witness signings. Hereās what Iāve done: Iāve lined up someone that I pay $25 to for witnessing a signing. Most of the time, she is unavailable and I just pass on the job. I make sure the signing service is prepared to pay the $25 witness fee so it doesnāt infringe on my regular signing fee. If TWO witnesses are called for, I just pass on the job. Hard enough to get one.
HOWEVER, if there is sufficient time beforehand, I contact the signer(s) and attempt to get them to find some witnesses. In my personal view, they should be doing that anyway, if they know witnesses are required. (Notaries are not personnel officers). Two witnesses doubles the witness fees, of course.
If only I witness on a document, I donāt charge anything extra. I consider it a courtesy.
I wonder what others will say.
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The time to line up witness has a value that should be compensated in my book. That is an add on service to the entire process.
Because I negotiate witness fees upfront with the hiring company, it hasnāt been a problem. I am an a Florida LSA.
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Iāve never had a problem getting the companies to pay an additional $25 each for witnesses, except if I can act as a witness. Then, itās $25 for any other witnesses, if required. And, I pass the $25 on to the witness.
NOTE: Kentucky does not require witnesses and does not forbid the notary from acting as a witness. So, if Iām closing on a property in Florida, for example, I can act as one witness and provide a 2nd witness. Some states do not allow the notary to act as a witness and I have to follow their laws even though Kentucky does not forbid it. If you are closing on a property in another state from the state(s) you used to processing, itās always good to do a quick search for that stateās requirements as regards witnesses, specifically, and other topics generally.
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As a Notary Public/LSA, I can only do my job under Floridaās jurisdiction and within its borders. I never concern myself with other stateās laws concerning executions of notarial acts. Hopefully, the other stateās certificates contain the nine elements in the venue that are required by the state of Florida, otherwise I have to used a Florida approved loose certificate. Thereās S.1561 - SECURE Notarization Act of 2025 involving RON for Notary Public - https://www.congress.gov/index.php/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1561/text
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I let lenders and notary servicers know that I do not provide witnesses and signer would be responsible for that., but I would serve as one witness
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āIn my past experience, when a witness is needed during a notarization, itās standard practice for them to be compensated ā typically about half of what the notary earns. Itās a fair and professional way to respect their time and contribution, and it keeps the process smooth for everyone involved.ā
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Can you please share what type of loan signing or situation of loan signing will require witnesses? thanks
A Georgia Limited Warranty Deed requires an āunofficial witness.ā
California is not a witness state. When itās a living trust I notify the signer ahead of time to provide a witness. If the client comes to my office I grab one of my employees.
Thatās a great question and using a search engine will enable you to find the answer. For example, I used google to find this article - āWhat Every Notary Needs to Know About Witness Requirements - Notary Public Associationā.
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@shun thatās a state-specific question - recording requirements for real estate documents vary from state to state. Here in FL, mortgages (per statute) do NOT require witnesses, but various counties have implemented their own requirements on mortgages and may require witnesses. Further, in FL, any deed of conveyance requires two witnesses, one of which can be the notary. Further, in general as to witnesses on recordable loan docs, witnesses must also print their names and addresses under the signature line (post on this in Law Related section).
Your best bet if ever faced with this situation is check with hiring party (whether title or SS) and let them advise you, in writing, about their requirement.
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I do charge extra for providing a witness, $25.00.
In the four+ years Iāve been a notary, Iāve had maybe 20 loan signings where one or more witnesses were needed. At some cost and plenty of effort to myself, I found the witness(es) and completed the job. THIS year, however, Iāve turned down probably 30 loan signings (in just 6 months, mind you) that called for witnesses. 30! I wonder what has changed. Since I didnāt take 'em, Iāll never know. Iāve turned down another 20+ witness signings for estate deals that, as far as I know, never required witnessing before (I live in the Peopleās Republic of California, incidentally). I donāt do witness deals anymore. Iām of the opinion the signers/principals should line up their own witnesses and pay them if they want to. How am I supposed to find, transport, reassure and pay a witness (a lousy $25), all on short notice. Nah.
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When you get the job, you then tell them 50.00?
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