Did you ever think that your friend or coworker could save you a trip to the bank and the pesky mileage so associated?! Well, your friend can: I’m a Notary Public & fully certificated Notary Signing Agent (NSA™).
Yessir, I’m a Commissioned Notary Public in the State of Ohio. Plus, I’ve completed extensive training to be a Notary Signing Agent (NSA™)–this signifies an additional commitment to professionalism and knowledge of regulations pertaining to real estate transactions.
If your Title company (or lending bank) opts for it, you could see me in your home finalizing the pesky paperwork that lenders require!
If you indeed need something notarized, feel free to reach out! The State caps fees for MOST Acts at just $5.00, and for People That Matter, you bet your Aunt Edna that’s gonna be $0 or darn close—it does cost money to feed that toner-hungry enterprise-grade laser printer! I hope you’ll understand. 🙏 😉
Come to Me: Skip the OH BMV! 🚙 🏢
Did you know that you don’t have to go to the DMV or Title Bureau to sell your car? Or to apply for a new Title (well, you DO have to go pay taxes before ya get your fresh, official, new personal Title! 💵). Or to apply for boat or PWC registration (personal watercraft) with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources? I’d be happy to notarize your Title and registration documents! If you need a specific form, like for the BMV, not to worry! I carry spares of the most frequently used forms for Ohio DNR and for the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles!
Are you a Signing Service, Contracting Company, Title Company, or Lender? 🏡 🏦
Please contact me! Once we’re in touch, I’ll refer you to my company because that’s where I operate real estate and loan signing transactions. You’re always welcome to review my credentials, insurance policy, etc. via that channel.
Fees
Ohio law limits fees to $5.00 per Act (i.e., per seal), not necessarily per document or per signature. I’m happy to lend my services at no fee to particularly kind folks!
If you have to use one of the forms I’ve pre-printed, which you independently selected, there is a variable convenience surcharge of $3-$5, depending on the document type. Unfortunately, I can’t waive these fees because it costs a lot to maintain the laser printer.
In case I travel to you–especially really, crazy far away, there may also be a reasonable travel fee. Typically, that’s just IRS-approved mileage ($0.655/mi at time of publishing). This fee is ALWAYS discussed and agreed upon up-front!! Rarely the case for close friends and family.
Disclaimer: 🚫 Not an Attorney—No Legal Advice & Not an Accountant/Tax Professional—No Accountancy/Tax Advice🚫
As part of my commitment to professionalism—and the integrity of your transaction—it’s important that you know that I am NOT an attorney, and I am NOT an Accountant or Tax Professional. Per ORC, I cannot legally tell you what form(s) you may need or how to answer questions on them. This could likely be unauthorized practice of law. Also, I will NOT provide you legal-, accounting-, or tax- advice- or opinions. Further, I will NOT answer those kinds of questions during a notary transaction: You are referred to your attorney/counsel. This approach protects everybody involved!
In general, I can answer “What?”—type questions; however, I’ll usually have to refer you to an attorney or appropriate professional for “Why?” or “Which?”—type questions.
This said—and as above—I can lawfully SHOW you the different forms and notarial certificates. Actually, I’m required to show them if you don’t know which to use (ORC § 147.). Likewise, You can lawfully PICK by yourself (but sometimes, it makes more sense to get solid legal direction). I can also EXPLAIN the GENERAL differences between any notarial act under Ohio law (ORC § 147.), and that may help!
PS: Check out some of the curious history of how Notaries came to be!
Coming soon: Remote Online Notarization (“RON”) services–for folks not into leaving the couch
Sadly, I’ll have to charge because the software and required training are expensive. It’s probably worth it because you can do it from the comfort of any place in the WORLD!!!
Powered by Trust ✓℠–Another Example
You know the whole Powered by Trust ✓℠ mantra on this site? This is just another example. This is a position of public trust and ethics (in fact, it’s technically a Public Office!)–and the additional trainings further that.
To continue the trust, your lender will be privy to *annual* background checks specific to the Notary industry, yet incredibly broad–because it’s a position of trust! We’re talking so comprehensive that they check INTERPOL, FBI, every single State in the US, and dozens of other lists, from Medicare fraud to European most wanted lists, and many between!
When accidents happen (none to-date!), I’ve Got your Six
There’s also an excellent Errors & Omissions (E&O, Professional Liability) Insurance Policy that may cover mistakes related to notarizing. Luckily the track record is null, and I’ve never made a claim to-date.
The State of Ohio doesn’t advise or require Notaries Public to carry Bonds. Insurance? Not required either. But I’ve got E&O insurance anyway.
FUN FACT: Did you know? The History of the Notary…
The Office of the Notary Public dates back to prehistoric Egyptian times (Malavet, 1996), when what were essentially wills were found sealed. Later, Kings and High Priests took charge of sealing documents to make them “public.” Two paths developed over time. Down one avenue between 1573 and 712 BC, scribes were directly appointed to “write and witness documents which were given public character…[by] the official seals […] at the capital” (Malavet). That said, judges withheld ultimate power.
Down another avenue–and furthered later in the Middle Ages and because the King and high priests were so distant from their peoples–special persons were directly Commissioned with the Powers of taking depositions and related statements which had otherwise been reserved for the King himself to take: these scribes literally “authenticated the [distant] King’s acts and resolutions.” Meanwhile in Greece, Aristotle noted “singraphos” and “apographos,” were were “predecessors of the modern notary” (Malavet).
It was Rome that created the most similar position to a modern day notary (Malavet). Emporor Justinian and his Constitution of 528 AD expanded and merged the roles of government employees and lay appointees towards a common role. Looking back to this time, we call those Officials “Latin Notaries.” Throughout history, the Profession of Notary Public has been held with incredibly high regard, on bar with a barrister or other noble professional! Today, Notaries in Europe and most of the world continue to function slightly differently and are still referred to as “Latin Notaries.” But the essential services are generally equivalent to Officials in the US–and we are Officials: we’re appointed by the Secretary of State, typically with the advice of the local Bar Association and County Court.
In the Middle Ages (ca. 476-534 AD), the tradition continued, especially among Barbarians and Germanic peoples. A combination of some of these separately-derived officials became what we most recognize as a notary. By the 1250s AD, France and Italy relied on notary-like officials, and Alfonso X (Spain) resumed European efforts to codify the powers of notaries (Malavet). Notaries flourished in France and Italy for the next 300 years. It was France that first heavily codified the functions of the notary, including prescribing the exact wording- and forms that must be used (1803 AD).
Most recently, the Spanish Notarial Law of 1862 AD and the Italian Notarial Law (1913 AD), brought the Notary to the 20th century.
So, give me a call! For ol’ time’s sake! 🙂
It’s Always Been A Matter of Trust ✓℠: NNA, NSA™, Professional Organizations for Notaries
As noted, I’m backed by professional organizations, such as the National Notary Association (“NNA,” US) and their Notary Signing Agent (“NSA™”) service. Sounds too good to be true? Here’s the proof.
I’m also a member of the Ohio Society of Notaries and a member of NotaryStars.com. Combined, these memberships keep me up-to-date on best practices, professionalism, important law changes—and they let me speak with other notaries public for advice and mentorship. Win-win-win!
Note: NNA NSA™ is a registered mark of the National Notary Association, used with proper format and citation.
Sources
- Malavet, P. A. (1996, January 1). Counsel for the Situation: The Latin Notary, a Historical and Comparative Model. Hastings International and Comparative Law Review. Retrieved from https://repository.uchastings.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1422&context=hastings_international_comparative_law_review