What is a loan signing notary?
Asked by: Joshuah Schimmel | Last update: February 5, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (1 votes)
A loan signing notary (or Notary Signing Agent) is a specialized notary public trained to facilitate the closing of real estate loan documents, acting as a neutral third party for lenders and title companies, guiding borrowers through signing, verifying identities, and notarizing critical paperwork like mortgages and deeds, ensuring compliance and proper execution before returning documents. They print loan packages, oversee the signing process, confirm understanding, and handle the return of completed documents, a role that requires specific certification and background checks beyond a standard notary commission.
What does a loan signing notary do?
Notary Signing Agent Responsibilities
The responsibilities of a Notary Signing Agent generally include: Printing loan documents. Meeting the signer and notarizing their signature. Returning the documents for processing.
What is the difference between a notary and a loan signing agent?
Notaries and loan signing agents (LSAs) provide essential services for legal transactions. A loan signing agent notarizes and certifies financial and legal documentation related to loan documents. A notary is a public officer who is certified to witness and confirm the signing of documents.
Do you have to be a notary to be a loan signing agent?
To work as a Notary Signing Agent, you must hold an active Notary Public commission and pass a background check. If you're interested in becoming a Notary Signing Agent and maximizing your opportunities for loan signing assignments, follow the steps below: Check if your state has Signing Agent restrictions.
Does a loan document need to be notarized?
Compliance with State and Federal Laws: Many states, including California, have specific laws that require notarization of certain documents. When you notarize your loan modification or refinancing documents, you are ensuring compliance with these laws and helping to avoid any legal complications down the line.
How to do a Loan Signing as a Notary Public - Notary Signing Agent Training - Loan Signing System
Can anyone at a bank notarize a document?
Since banks offer notary services and handle a lot of documents that must be notarized, it's common for some bank employees to be notaries. Many banks offer free notary services to their customers. If you aren't a customer, you may have to pay a small fee.
What is the most common mistake made by a notary?
The most common and serious mistake a notary makes is failing to ensure the signer personally appears before them, which is a legal violation and can lead to fraud and major penalties, but other frequent errors involve incomplete or incorrect notarial certificates, such as missing dates, improper seal placement, illegible stamps, mismatched names, or attaching the wrong certificate type, all of which can invalidate the document.
How hard is the loan signing system exam?
The pass rate of Loan Signing System's exam is approximately 30%. We make the test challenging on purpose to prepare you to build a successful signing agent business. The students who pass the test on the first try are those that set aside time in a quiet place and take notes during every module.
Is being a remote notary a good side hustle?
Whether you're looking for a work-from-home career, or a side gig to complement your 9-to-5 job, being a remote Notary can provide you that additional stream of income. The amount you earn can significantly increase by using your Notary commission to become a Notary Signing Agent.
Which type of notary makes the most money?
The type of notary that generally makes the most money is a Notary Signing Agent (NSA), specializing in real estate loan documents, earning $75-$200 per complex signing, followed by Mobile Notaries who charge travel fees and specialized Remote Online Notaries (RONs), but NSAs have the highest potential due to the volume and complexity of mortgage signings, with some reaching six figures annually with experience, high-level marketing, and handling various loan packages (purchases, refinances, HELOCs).
Who pays a loan signing agent?
The signing service collects fees for loan signings and pays the officiating Notary Signing Agent. Some well-established Notary Signing Agents receive assignments directly from title/escrow companies and lenders, and are paid directly by these parties.
What are the two types of notaries?
In America, the two notarial acts most often performed for a document signer are the acknowledgment; and the jurat (also called a "verification" on oath or affirmation).
Is a loan signing agent a good side hustle?
1) You Can Earn Great Money
Part-time loan signing agents can generally do one to three signings per week, which is about $300 to $500 dollars extra a week. While full-time agents can do 3-8 signings in a day which is about $400 to over $1,000 dollars in a day. It truly is a top money making business!
How much to charge as a loan signing agent?
Typically, a notary signing agent can earn $ 75 to $ 200 per loan signing. However, fees for more complex signings or those made outside of usual business hours may be higher. Earnings might also be affected by the number of signings completed per month.
How do loan signing agents get clients?
Partner with Local Companies.
Since Loan Signing is a growing profession, you always have an opportunity to introduce yourself with the local companies. Start booking your appointment and showcase your services to gain their trust. By doing so, you can create a direct link and grab ongoing assignments.
What is higher than a notary public?
The level of authority provided by a Medallion Signature Guarantee is typically higher than that provided by a Notary because Medallion Signature Guarantees are backed by the financial institution providing the guarantee, which assumes liability for any fraud or unauthorized transactions.
What are the downsides of being a notary?
Disadvantages of being a notary include inconsistent income, high liability for errors, significant startup and maintenance costs (fees, bond, E&O insurance), the challenge of building a client base, strict legal restrictions (no UPL), dealing with difficult clients or requests, and potential for emotionally taxing situations, all while facing intense competition for low-paying gigs.
How much does a mobile notary make per visit?
A mobile notary's earnings per visit vary significantly, but loan signing agents often make $75 to $200+ per appointment, while general mobile notary work can range from $30 to $100+ per trip, depending on location, travel distance, document complexity, and whether they work directly with clients or through signing services. Highly profitable mobile notaries focus on real estate closings (loan signings) or specialized niche markets, adding fees for travel, printing, and administrative tasks.
How to make 6 figures as a notary?
To be a six figure-earning money as a notary loan signing agent, you need to do 667 signings a year — or 13 signings a week — and you only need 3 escrow officers feeding you their loan signing appointments to be well on your way to making six figures a year, working less than 40 hours a week.
Is loan signing a good career choice?
Unlike traditional 9-to-5 jobs, Loan Signing Agents have the autonomy to set their own schedules, allowing for a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle. This career not only caters to those seeking to escape the confines of office walls but also to individuals aiming for a harmonious blend of work and personal life.
What is the hardest notary exam?
While difficult to definitively name one, New York and California are frequently cited as having the hardest notary exams due to rigorous, proctored tests covering complex state-specific laws, with NY requiring no training but a tough exam, and CA mandating a training course plus a challenging, detailed test with high penalties for errors. Other states like Louisiana and Arizona also have tough requirements, emphasizing preparation for specific legal nuances.
What is the best loan signing course to take?
Notary2Pro is the most respected Professional Loan Signing Agent Course in the United States. Founded by Carol Ray in 2008, Notary2Pro has trained more than 14,000 Students to become Professional Loan Signing Agents.
Do Notaries get sued a lot?
It's not unusual for a Notary to be named in a lawsuit simply because plaintiffs are obligated to cast a wide net. In other words, the civil process is “Sue first, ask questions later.” And even with the best outcome, being sued is incredibly disruptive.
Will Notaries be replaced by AI?
The Bottom Line. AI is a powerful resource, but it will never replace the personal involvement of a commissioned notary public. Notaries must continue to follow the laws and rules that govern their role, personally carrying out each step of a notarization.
Do Notaries hold up in court?
Facilitates Legal Transactions
Similarly, wills, power of attorney forms, and specific contracts typically need notarization to be legally enforceable. With notarization, these documents might hold up in a court of law or might not be accepted by institutions.