Interested in finding out how to become a notary signing agent in Nevada? 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 Signing Professionals Workgroup (SPW) compliant
• Purchase your notary supplies

This Notary Signing Agent Nevada 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 Nevada, 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 Nevada

If you’re interested in the idea of becoming a notary signing agent in Nevada, 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 Nevada.

In order to do this, you will need to complete the following steps:

• Meet the basic eligibility criteria: You must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Nevada, have not committed a felony or crime, and have never had their notary commission revoked in another state
• Complete a notary training course: Take the online notary course through the State of Nevada Notary Public Training Site and achieve a passing grade on the Notary Public Commission Exam afterward. The training course fee is $45
• Purchase a $10,000 surety bond: The next step is to obtain a $10,000 notary bond. You need to file this bond with the office of the county clerk. Once your bond has been filed with the county clerk’s office, you will shortly be issued your oath of public office and filing notice
• Complete your application: You’ll need to create an account on the SilverFlume online portal. You’ll need to upload your bond and the filing notice issued to you by the office of the county clerk. Along with the application, pay the $35 filing fee and $45 notary training fee. You will learn about your approved Nevada notary commission via email
• Obtain your notary supplies: Tools of the trade, such as a notary seal and journal, are essential to be able to effectively perform your duties. These will need to be specific to the state of Nevada

Step 2: Take a Loan Signing Training Course

After you receive your notary commission and are ready to begin operating as a notary public, you will likely want to undertake a specialized loan signing training course.

Even though this is not a requirement in the state of Nevada, it is highly recommended as it offers the following benefits:

• In-depth understanding: A specialized course can allow you to dive deep into the complexities of mortgage loan signings, improving your overall understanding and capabilities as an NSA. It can also help you become well-versed in how to handle unexpected situations with professionalism
• Boosts employability: Your certificate signifies commitment and a specialized skill set, both of which greatly increase your marketability. Candidates with additional qualifications are also very attractive to hiring companies
• Confidence builder: A course can provide you with a certain degree of “hands-on experience,” which will inevitably make you more comfortable and confident during actual signings. This confidence can translate into improved service and positive client experiences

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

Step 3: Become SPW Compliant

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

Being SPW compliant means that you demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and credibility to hiring companies and clients.

Knowing that you’re SPW compliant instills confidence in your abilities and commitment to handling loan signings accurately and securely, especially during real estate transactions.

Getting compliant involves undergoing a background check, passing an exam, and purchasing errors and omissions (E&O) insurance (with a minimum of $25,000 in coverage).

Step 4: Purchase Signing Agent Supplies

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

Loan signing agents typically use a notary stamp or seal to authenticate documents.

You will also need a bound notary journal with pre-printed pages to record details of each notarial act, such as a signer’s identity, dates, and types of documents notarized.

These tools should be used during every notarization to ensure compliance with regulations and maintain a transparent, accountable record.

Step 5: Obtain Errors and Omissions Insurance

While E&O insurance is not a legal requirement in Nevada, many notaries choose to purchase this type of insurance to protect themselves from legal expenses.

E&O insurance shields you from potential legal claims and financial liabilities arising from mistakes or omissions in your notarial services.

Examples in which an E&O insurance policy would 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.

Nevada Notary Signing Agent Restrictions

While Nevada presents promising opportunities for notary signing agents, it’s essential to understand the state’s specific restrictions, particularly that the state limits the fees that notaries can charge.

There are rules about how much money Nevada notaries can charge for their signing services, and they cannot charge more than the maximum amount of $7.50.

There is an allowable fee for the time spent traveling to perform notarial duties. Pursuant to NRS 240.100(3)(d)(1)(2), you must disclose the travel fee in advance of the travel, and the fee must be agreed to by the signer requesting the service.

In Nevada, notary signing agents cannot explain the meaning of a document or provide legal advice. Your role is primarily to verify the identities of the involved parties, oversee the signing of documents, and notarize these signatures.

These specific requirements highlight the importance of your role as a loan signing agent in facilitating loan signings while strictly adhering to the state’s legal guidelines.