I have recently been receiving offers i cpild not accept due to the necessity of 1 or 2 notary provided witnesses. I dont remember so many refis needing that before. Is this a new trend. Im single, live alone and dont have access to people i can find for a witness.
2 Likes
Yeah, Iām curious as to how you notary stars handle that conundrum. My commission is not in a witness state, but if the request ever comes up, itās the first thing I tell the signers to have when Iām booking the signing.
1 Like
I dont believe colorado is a witness state either. Ive been real estate broker for 40 years and also a part time closer for a title company. As far as i know, real estate loans do not require witneses. It seems to be a newer requirement from lenders. Probably a result of trying to conform to many states. All i know is, its annoying. On some paperwork in the past, where a witness was necessary, an adult child or neighbor provided by the signer was sufficient. When i answer the solicitation, i state the unusual requirement for witnesses prevented my acceptance. Its a problem i cant solve. I know some notaries have a spouse that goes along, but i can imagine 2 is an issue. I cant imagine dragging a friend along to a signing.
Am not in a witness state, but rarely am requested to āprovide 1 witnessā (never been asked to provide 2 (and if I was, Iād declineāmore hassle than I want). I have a friend who will do this & have explained/trained her to āsit down elsewhere, shut up, witness when needed & then go wait in my carā. I go over the āFirst fourā while she is āelsewhereā; then have her āwitnessā ALL the docs required; then she leaves & waits in carā¦usually entertained by her cell phone. She likes the $ and we can socialize, too.
Find a willing friend who thinks this is a fun way to make some pocket money.
I will flatly turn down any assignment that requires me to provide a witness. I just donāt want the hassle. Simple as that. When there are two witnesses required and the notary can be a witness, Iāll sign as a witness as long as the other witness is provided by the signer.
People responding on this post are not stating what state they reside. Iām WA State and when performing GNW for POAs, Wills, etc. most of the time Witnesses are required. WA Notary are not allowed to Witness documents they notarize. I always require signer(s) provide witness(s) and have this information listed on my one page information sheet I forward to signers for GNW so they have an idea of costs required at signings. Bottom line I donāt provide witness. Good luck!
2 Likes
It depends on what state the property is on. Even though your state doesnāt require witnesses like FL does
2 Likes
Everyone saying they arenāt in a witness state, neither am I, but POAs and Wills require witnesses, as do out of state (some states) property.
It became apparent to me fairly quickly that I will get more jobs if Iām able to provide witnesses, because many people donāt know people near them.
Iām part of several networking groups, and have met many people who are happy to witness for me, and I pay them the $25 I charge the client.
But also, I put a post in my very local facebook group asking for witnesses. I outlined that this is a very casual job, and that it pays $25, and that Iād like to get to know someone near me so I can pick them up and drop them off, ensuring that they will show up.
I got several responses, some skeptical, some excited. Some needed money badly, others are out of work temporarily and need extra income. I ended up choosing a woman who is retired, because she isnāt relying on the extra income, she just needs to get out of the house sometimes. She is 64, and very active, and loves the extra money - which turns out to be $100-200 a month, not steady. I do have her on a 1099 basis, as I report all of my income and expenses. She is fine with this.
She has been working with me for almost three years now, and we have become very good friends.
As a backup, I have friends who are underemployed who like the extra income also.
1 Like
Iād be happy to act as a witness if possible. I am a notary and a loan signing agent
Iām in WA also. I have two people who will act as witnesses if I contact them. If they are available. But they donāt work full time. I also charge a lot because I pay them well.
I do live in a witness state. When I get these, I use people from my church and tell the signing company, I can provide them for $25.00 (each). They either adjust the fee to accommodate the signing, or I will pass on it. I have never had a problem so far. Be sure to say itās for EACH or they will stiff you.
Many signers in my area are snow birds who have homes in Florida, which requires 2 witnesses. Title always tells me I can be one.
In the past, I charged $25 and took my father with me but he is now 92 and tends āto participateā in the closings (even though I tell him to be quiet). I now tell Title to have the signer get one from their church or a neighbor. I no longer take responsibility for it.
POAs and Wills are state-specific on whether they require witnesses. In Ohio, the Last Will and Testament are not notarized, but are witnessed by 2 people. Other types of wills are notarized but not witnessed. Whether a POA needs a witness is up to whomever prepares the document and Iāve seen anywhere from 0 to 3 witnesses needed.
Iāve changed my profile to reflect will not/cannot provide a witness. This must be provided by client. We are so rural nobody would want to travel to be a witness. A new conundrum Iām having is making them understand I cannot notarize my own signature so I cannot be a witness on the document. This is allowed in some states but not mine. They think itās ok for me if itās ok for them. Notaries are not employed by these agencies. This is getting to be a regular argument.
This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.