In the world of notarizations and legal document signings, efficiency and reliability are key. Currently, many signing agencies place the responsibility on notaries to find and pay witnesses. But what if signing agencies took on this task instead?
Streamlined Process for Notaries Imagine notaries being able to focus solely on their primary responsibilities. By having signing agencies provide witnesses, the workflow becomes smoother and more efficient.
Financial Relief Notaries often pay witnesses out of their own pockets, creating unnecessary financial strain. If signing agencies covered this cost, it would make the process less burdensome for notaries.
Reliability and Professionalism Notaries are highly reliable and understand legal requirements. Using them as witnesses ensures punctuality and accuracy, reducing the risk of complications.
Enhanced Client Experience Clients would benefit from a more seamless signing process, knowing that all participants are qualified and reliable. This could lead to higher client satisfaction.
Now, we want to hear from you! Do you think signing agencies should take on the responsibility of providing witnesses? How would this change impact your experience as a notary or a client?
@LindaH-FL when my niece lived close I would get her and she’d get a friend and I asked for $50 each and passed it through. But I don’t have a reliable resource for witnesses since she moved away. The only time I did it a woman from another state was executing her estate documents and knew NO ONE.
I always have a reliable witness available, so ‘bring my own’ would be my preference.
3 notaries = 3 different preferences. So, guess the best solution is offer 2 options to the primary notary IF signer can’t find their own witness.
The issues I foresee with the agency providing the witness are:
Fee offered would have to be profitable as now you have 2 people’s car expenses and table time to pay for…seems cost-prohibitive.
The awkwardness of one of them arriving early and one late.
What if the witness is a no-show–which, frankly, I can see happening because I doubt you’re really prepared to pay witness expense, time, profit.
A ‘professional’ isn’t needed. Just someone who will keep mouth shut & sign their name.
The ‘varying expectations’ of the notary and the witness. Would the notary expect the witness to sit thru an hour’s worth of signing other documents OR would the witness expect the notary to have the docs that need witnessing done first, so witness can leave. And how ‘professional’ would a disappearing witness look to the signer.
I am in the same boat as not having a resource for an additional witness. From time to time my husband is home but I would not want to use him since he isn’t exactly a neutral party (I’m commissioned in Florida).
Add to this the offers I do see with a notary provided witness do not include any extra fees for it, just the same low ball offers.
We moved to our area 1 year ago and I don’t have a network of people who are available in the middle of the afternoon at the drop of a hat… I’m still establishing myself in this business. I don’ have a client base so I am relying on those signing service texts.
It just adds to my frustration that I have to say no to them.
He is neutral as to the transaction taking place - he has no interest in the loan or the intent of the documents being signed - there’s no problem using him as a witness as long as he is paid!!
I use my husband as a witness all the time. He is my most reliable source and he is available most of the time and is assuredly a neutral party. I also pay him the requested $25 for each and every signing and I let the signing party know that ahead of time so that they can be prepared for the additional cost. But, I don’t try to find a second for jobs requiring two witnesses. And, if I am notarizing a document, I will not also sign as a witness, even when title/SS allows it. In my estimation that is a conflict.
Hi LindaH- FL
I’m not 100% comfortable with that either because now Florida requires the witness places their address and I don’t want my address to be so public. It is on my profiles and if I’m researched it can be found, I understand that.
Not to mention if I’m also serving as a witness on a document, the addresses would be the same.
Do you use your own personal address when you serve as a witness on those documents?
Hi Tisino,
Thank you for your input. It is so nice that everyone responds so quickly and is such an active part of the chat. I am sure I’ll be the same when I have a little more experience in some of these areas.
I have not run into this in GNW since the law passed as I’ve scaled back my business dramatically. However, that said…when I worked in the recent past for an attorney’s office and witnessed their trust documents, they required my address and I had to fill that in.
As you said, they can find you with a simple google search. I’ve had people call me and tell me they’re in front of my house and can I notarize…it is easy to find out. I have no problem putting my address there as long as that is the end of the contact.
As for the address being the same for the two witnesses…I see no issue there. What if signers were to call their neighbors over to witness…the husband and wife next door…two witnesses, same address. So, no, I see no issue there
