Getting Started

OK, so, you’ve learned about me, you’ve learned about what I think about these $100k a year programs and you’re still here.  Whew!

Now, finally, your patience has paid off and we can get into the good stuff.  Let’s talk about how to get started and get you up and running.  First things first, you need to get your Commission.

Getting Your Commission –You can either go directly to your Secretary of State website (https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/portal-access-guide.shtml) and likely, download an application, maybe even apply online, pay a fee, show proof of your Bond, and I think you need a Driver’s License.

Or you can do what I did and go to the NNA website (nationalnotary.org) and enjoy one stop shopping.  They will help you apply, pay your fee and get you bonded and insured.  I don’t think it takes any longer to get your Commission this way and they have an amazing amount of information and training that can be extremely helpful to any Notary.  Becoming Certified through NNA has its benefits and annual re-certification is a good thing.  It helps keep you sharp.

Now that you have applied to get your Commission, this is a great time to start thinking about your Company Name.  It can be as simple as or as cute as, or as witty as you want it to be.  You may want to check with your Secretary of State to be sure no one else has registered your potential company name, just to be safe.  If they have, keep trying.  If they haven’t, register it while you can.

Notary Signing Agent – Becoming a Notary Signing Agent takes more time, training, and education. In this, I highly recommend sticking with the NNA.  There are others that will tell you that they can help you become an NSA.  Maybe they can, but as the NNA is pretty great and as a member, you get access to their Helpline, tons of articles and information and guidance, my recommendation is to stick with them.  They have a couple of packages that will include the training, education, a Notary Journal, testing, a background check, and insurance.  Again, the whole one stop shopping thing.

You will have to work through training and take an exam.  Be prepared to spend some time – several hours – it’s not difficult, but it ain’t easy.  Start to finish, it will cost you a few hundred dollars to become a full fledged NSA…I want to say it cost me in the $400 neighborhood, but it has been awhile, so please don’t hold my feet to the fire on that.

Education / Training – It is important to understand that while NNA will educate you on the ins and out of being an NSA, pressing the rules and obligations and will give you a lot of information about many of the documents you will encounter, it is not all inclusive.  There are in the neighborhood of 300 to 400 documents that you will eventually need to become familiar with, not just those that require Notarization, but many that don’t.  There is so much that you will not, cannot learn unless you do.

At some point, it all comes down to you.  You are the one who has to get the work, print the documents, work them, understand them and feel comfortable with them.  You are the one who has to walk up to that front door, ring the bell, introduce yourself, introduce those documents, answer questions and be the subject matter expert and representative of the Title Company that the Signer expects you to be.

This is not rocket science, but it is not crazy easy either.  Especially in the beginning.  When you first start, it might take you 2 hours to work through your package.  After you have completed a few, maybe only 1 hour and then eventually, maybe 15 minutes.  Everything gets easier with experience.

Don’t give up, hang in there.  It really does get easier.

Oddly, recently, I have had multiple conversations with folks who are not fans of the NNA. Please don’t misunderstand me, I don’t believe they are perfect, but my experiences with them have been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone has always been nice, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I understand that not everyone can say that. I like them, I trust them and I will continue to use their services. If you prefer to use another organization, go for it.