Notary Signing Agent Indiana

Interested in finding out how to become a notary signing agent in Indiana? We’ve got you covered.

In order to become a notary signing agent, you will need to:

• Be commissioned as a notary public
• Take a loan signing training course
• Become SPW compliant
• Purchase your notary supplies

This Notary Signing Agent Indiana article breaks down everything you need to know in easy-to-follow, succinct steps, and should help you commence your loan signing career with as little difficulty as possible.

What is a Notary Signing Agent

Notary signing agents (NSAs) are crucial in the real estate sector as they act as a guide for borrowers through loan document signings, acknowledging their signatures, and returning documents to the lender.

On the surface, the role of an NSA might seem identical to that of a notary public, but the distinction lies in the level of expertise required for each task.

While a notary public primarily verifies the identities of signatories and acknowledges signatures, an NSA possesses a deeper understanding of loan documents and has been trained to provide unbiased explanations of each document’s purpose.

Although no extra legal qualifications are required to become an NSA in Indiana, undertaking specialized training is strongly recommended for a couple of reasons. Namely, because it:

• Makes you a more appealing candidate to lenders, title companies, and other industry recruiters — who typically prefer NSAs with specific training due to the complexity of loan signings
• Ensures that you’re actually capable of competently fulfilling all of the responsibilities associated with being an NSA

Note: For more information on this specialized training, see Step 2: Take a Loan Signing Training Course below.

How to Become a Notary Signing Agent in Indiana

If you’re interested in the idea of becoming a notary signing agent in Indiana, you can get started today by completing the following steps.

Step 1: Become a Notary Public

In order to become a notary signing agent, you will first need to be commissioned as a notary public in Indiana.

To become commissioned as a notary public in Indiana, you will need to complete the following steps:

• Meet the eligibility requirements: In Indiana, all applicants must be at least 18 years old, be a legal resident/primarily employed in Indiana, and not have received a conviction involving deceit or a conviction exceeding six months
• Obtain a $25,000 surety bond: After ensuring that you meet these requirements, the next step in getting commissioned is to acquire a surety bond in the value of $25,000 for a term of eight years. This protects the general public in case you commit any mistakes while performing a notarial duty
• Complete a criminal record check: Within the 30 days preceding the submission of your notary application, you’ll have to request your limited criminal history record from the Indiana State Police. You can do this through the Secretary of State’s website and receive your results immediately
• Pass the notary state exam: With this step completed, you’ll be ready to take the mandatory notary education course/exam and complete the rest of the Notary Public application form on the Secretary of State’s website
• Buy your notary supplies: If your application is approved, the Secretary of State should shortly issue your certificate of appointment, which will enable you to obtain your notary supplies such as a notary seal and journal

Step 2: Take a Loan Signing Training Course

After securing your notary commission and preparing to commence your role as a notary public, it could be beneficial to consider enrolling in a specialized loan signing training course.

Though it’s not compulsory in Indiana, it’s widely advocated due to several reasons:

• Deepened understanding: A specialized course provides a comprehensive exploration of mortgage loan signings, enhancing your proficiency as an NSA. It also imparts you with the skill to handle unexpected situations adeptly
• Enhanced marketability: Being certified implies commitment and a specialized skill set, which could greatly increase your appeal to potential employers as applicants with added qualifications are generally favored in hiring processes
• Confidence booster: Engaging in the course provides some practical exposure, increasing your comfort and confidence in real-life signings. This boosted confidence can contribute to superior service delivery and positive client encounters

Did you know? A loan signing training course will also prepare you to pass the Signing Professionals Workgroup (SPW) exam.

Step 3: Obtain a Title Producer License

Before you can begin acting as a notary signing agent, Indiana law requires applicants to get licensed as a title insurance producer as an extra layer of protection against potential negligence or improper conduct.

In order to obtain a title producer license, you’ll need to complete the following steps:

• Complete an accredited pre-licensing class — A list of approved pre-licensing education provider courses can be found on the official Sircon website by selecting the “Approved Courses Inquiry” option
• Get a pre-licensing course certificate — Once you complete your pre-licensing course you should obtain a Certificate of Pre-Licensing Education Completion. In order to be valid, this certificate must be signed/dated by the course provider
• Submit your license application — You can submit your application for licensure anytime after obtaining your course certificate. Submission to the Indiana Department of Insurance can be completed online through Sircon or NIPR and requires you to pay a $40 filing fee

Note: Unlike in many other states with a title producer license requirement, you will not need to sit a pre-licensing exam.

Step 4: Become SPW Compliant

Even though this step is optional, it is generally recommended.

This is because — similar to getting a loan signing training course — it shows hiring companies that you understand fundamental aspects of the finance and real estate sector, and thus makes you more desirable as a candidate.

All in all, SPW compliance is — generally speaking — seen as a testament to your trustworthiness and competence in the mortgage industry.

Getting compliant involves undergoing a background check, passing an exam, and purchasing Errors and Omissions insurance (minimum $25,000 in coverage).

Step 4: Purchase Signing Agent Supplies

After you’ve been commissioned as a notary public and have spent some time in order to become qualified as a successful loan signing agent, you will need to purchase your notary supplies.

Notary signing agents generally need a notary seal or stamp, as well as a notary record book (or journal).

Your notary stamp will be used for notarizing documents during loan signings, whereas the notary journal will be for keeping a record of every notarial act that you perform.

Step 5: Obtain Errors and Omissions Insurance

As a final step, you will likely want to purchase a comprehensive Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance policy.

This is a type of insurance that protects you against any liability that may arise due to negligence or misconduct on your part.

Examples of where an E&O insurance policy can be useful include:

• You’re overseeing a busy loan signing and, in a rush, you accidentally miss a signature. The loan process stalls, the borrower incurs late fees, and you’re hit with a compensation claim
• While going through a home loan document, you wrongly notarize a signature. The mortgage approval is lost and the client files a claim against you
• During a loan signing, you skip a page inadvertently. The document is void, leading to delays and extra work. In this case, the lender could choose to file a claim against you in order to be compensated for any additional expenses

Note: Purchasing E&O insurance is actually a requirement for becoming SPW compliant.