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?
Share your thoughts and let’s discuss! 
I am not interested in being a witness, personally. If an agency found them that would be great.
My $.02 FWIW
Leave it as most of us do now … witnesses are up to signers, period.
If I have to get witnesses, my fee is adjusted accordingly…but 99% of the time I left it to signers.
@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.
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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.
