Notary Signing Agent Oklahoma

Interested in finding out how to become a notary signing agent in Oklahoma? 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma

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

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

• Meet the basic eligibility criteria: You must be a legal resident of Oklahoma or an out-of-state resident who is employed in Oklahoma, 18 years old, and have not been convicted of a felony
• Complete your application: After confirming you satisfy the requirements above, you can fill out your notary public application online and pay a $25 filing fee. Alternatively, you can print an Oklahoma Application for Notary Public Commission and mail or hand-deliver it to the Oklahoma Secretary of State
• Purchase a $1,000 surety bond: If your Oklahoma notary application is successful, the Secretary of State will send you your commission certificate via mail. Once you receive it, you’ll need to file a $1,000 surety bond, a notary seal, and a $10 filing fee with the Secretary of State
• Get your notary supplies: Tools of the trade, such as notary seals and record books, are essential for maintaining professionalism and fulfilling your responsibilities, and will need to be state-specific
• Take a notary training course: This is entirely optional, but strongly recommended. A notary course benefits signing agents by enhancing skills, knowledge, and credibility in the loan closings and signings

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 Oklahoma, 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.

SPW compliance helps maintain the integrity of the process, protects the parties involved, and reduces the risk of errors or fraud, especially when you’re handling real estate closings and loan signings.

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 often use a notary stamp or seal to authenticate and certify documents and a notary journal or record book to record the notarial acts you perform.

These tools help establish the legality and validity of notarized documents and provide a record of a real estate or loan closing for future legal references.

Step 5: Obtain Errors and Omissions Insurance

As the final step, you may want to look into purchasing an E&O insurance policy.

If a client alleges they’ve suffered financial losses due to errors in your work, E&O insurance can cover any legal fees, settlements, or judgments you might be faced with.

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.