So You Want To Be A Notary Public? – Obtaining your Commission (Part 2)

So You Want To Be A Notary Public? – Obtaining your Commission

In Part 1 of “So You Want To Be A Notary Public”, I discussed the required classes, that you must attend  either online or in person,  as well as the California state mandated test. After taking the 6 hour class and taking the test your next step is to…… wait….

The Wait….

The State of California doesn’t often get in too big of a hurry when processing the Notary Public tests. As such you may get your test results in 1 week or you might have to wait up to 1 month. In most cases you will receive your test results within about 10 business days and even faster if you provide the testing facility with your email address.

Unfortunately, while you’re waiting for your test results there isn’t much else you can do to help the Notary commission process move along. So wait you must.

The Big Day!

You’ll know that your test results are on their way when you start receiving Notary Public supply offers from various vendors in the mail. You will normally receive these materials the day *BEFORE* you receive your actual test results.

Selling Notary Public supplies is big business and there are no lack of vendors to choose from when buying your supplies – but we’ll talk about that a bit later (in part 3)…

The day has arrived and there it is, sitting in your mailbox – the non-descript white envelope from the California Secretary of State with your Notary Public test results.

Congratulations! You’ve passed the Notary Public Exam and now it’s time to get your background check completed.

Along with the test results will be instructions on where to obtain the Live Scan Form for your background check. You’ll need to print out the Live Scan Form and locate a finger print “rolling location” near you. Many local police or sheriff stations offer Live Scan services and many offer or require an appointment.

I suggest obtaining an appointment as many of the Live Scan locations have limited hours and tend to get very busy with walk-in traffic.

What does the background check cost?

To complete your Notary Public background check, you will need both a State of California and a Federal (FBI) background check. You’ll pay a separate fee for each of these checks. In addition, each Live Scan location may charge a service fee for providing the fingerprinting service.

As of early 2011 when I last has my background check completed the fees were as follows:

• State of California Fee:  $32.00
• Federal / FBI Fee:  $19.00
• Fingerprint Service Fee:  $20.00
• Total Fee: $71.00

After completing your finger printing, you’ll again get to wait while the background checks are completed. This too will take about 10 business days on average, before your results will be forwarded to the California Secretary of State.

Once the Secretary of State has received and reviewed you fingerprint / background check results they will forward your Notary Public Commission to you in the mail.

In the next installment of  “So You Want To Be A Notary Public”, I’ll show you how to complete the application process and give you some tips on how to get your business off to a quick start.

Stay tuned…

Where do I get a document stamped with a Medallion Signature Guarantee?

Where do I get a document stamped with a Medallion Signature Guarantee?

Today I received a call from one of my regular clients who was asking if I could provide a Medallion Signature Guarantee stamp on a document for him. It’s fairly common for people to assume that because a “stamp” is required, they should turn to a Notary Public for help. But there are significant differences between the two processes…

So You Want To Be A Notary Public? – Where to Start. (Part 1)

So You Want To Be A Notary Public? – Where to Start

I am currently in the process of renewing my Notary Public commission which expires in July , 2011. As part of the renewal process all California Notary Public agents must submit to both State and Federal finger print clearance background checks. While I was getting my finger prints taken at the Santa Clara County Sherriff’s office in Cupertino, the officer in charge of rolling the finger prints asked me, “How do you get started as a Notary Public?”

Easy Money?

Of course, this is not the first time I’ve heard this question. I get it quite often as most people figure, hey you stamp that document and get paid $10, that’s easy! But alas, it’s never that simple. I told the officer the best way to get started is by taking the State of California mandated 6 hour notary training class. While you can take classes online, I believe the best way to absorb all the information quickly is to take a live training class. I recommend contacting www.notaryclasses.com as they offer live classes for both new and renewing Notary Public’s throughout California several times each month.

Because I am renewing my Notary Public commission for the second time, I was originally commissioned in 2003, I was only required to take the 3 hour “refresher” class. The thing I like about using NotaryClasses.com is that they schedule a California State Exam proctor to come and administer the Notary Public exam immediately following the class, while all of the details of working as a Notary Public are fresh in  your mind.

What does it cost?

So what does it cost? To begin with, the Notaryclasses.com course will run you $69.00. They will offer you a number of “upgrades” including a “Gold” package with all the materials you’ll need to get started. My advice would be to just sign up for the class and skip the add-on’s.

You’ll be able to pick-up all the needed materials after you’ve passed the test and have been approved by the State of California. Many online vendors will offer you all the supplies you’ll need at a much lower cost. The State of California even has PDF files of the standard Acknowledgment and Jurat documents available to download for free on their website. Just download and print as needed.

Once you’ve completed the class, you’ll need to take and pass the exam. The State of California requires a $40 payment by check on the day you take the test. Don’t for get to bring your ID – you’ll need to show a valid California Driver’s License or ID card, or a valid Passport before the proctor will allow you to enter the testing room.

So to get started on day one, your total outlay will be just over $100. In a future post I discuss how the process to become a Notary Public continues and the associated costs that go along with completing the process. Stay tuned…

Loan Signing Agent

Loan Signing Agent

Anyone who owns a home knows that over the last 5 years interest rates have fallen to incredibly low levels  not seen since the 1950’s. If you have a mortgage on your home, there’s a good chance you’ve worked with your mortgage broker to re-fi (re-finance) your mortgage to take advantage of these incredibly low rates.

Bay Area Mobile Notary – My Partners

Bay Area Mobile Notary – My Partners
Many professional service businesses such as mortgage brokers, real estate agents, travel agents and financial services representatives require the use of a notary public when serving their clients, but don’t have the resources to keep a notary public on staff.

Because the notary performing the acknowledgement or jurat  may not benefit from the documents being notarized, the professional service provider is forbidden from acting as the notary public.

Over the years I’ve built a network of referral partners who often utilize my services when working with their clients. These are some of the best professionals in their field and I have personally used many of their services.

Bellow is a brief list of some of the most common requests I receive – if you have a specific request, feel free to call or email me any time.

• Mortgage Broker : Kevin Cavanaugh – The Cavanaugh Team 408-356-2506
• Financial Wealth Management: Bruce Barton – Parkworth Financial  408-436-9800
• Title Company: Kim Bowman – Old Republic Title  408-266-5414
• Attorney / Law: Jim Cashman – Berliner Cohen  408-286-5800
• Accountant / CPA: Dave Davis – Johanson & Yau  408-288-5111
• Adoption Services: Andrea Stawitcke – Bay Area Adoption Services  650-964-3800
• Private Real Estate Investments: Neil Lieb – Quarry Bay Capital LLC 408-777-8500