Notary Signing Agent Utah

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

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

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

• Meet the basic eligibility criteria: Utah requires all aspiring notaries to meet certain eligibility requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, a Utah resident, have a permanent resident status as a US citizen, and lawfully reside in the state. On top of this, you must not have any disqualifying offenses or license revocations
• Create an account on the Lieutenant Governor’s website: Start your application by creating an account on the Lieutenant Governor’s website and entering your personal information. Completing this step will officially create your application
• Take and pass the notary exam: All applicants are required to achieving a passing grade of 61 points or higher. You’ll receive your test results immediately after finishing the exam and paying the $95 administration fee. For guidance on how to prepare, Utah provides a notary public study guide.
• Complete a background check: After you pass the Utah Notary Public Exam, you will need to complete a mandatory background check by submitting a waiver for a criminal background check to the Lieutenant Governor’s office
• Purchase a $5,000 surety bond: You need to obtain an official notarial bond in the sum of $5,000 with a term of four years. Surety bonds can be purchased through the National Notary Association or through a general insurance company
• Notarize your oath of office: Once you obtain your notary bond, submit a signed copy alongside your notarized oath of office and other required documents to the Lieutenant Governor’s office. Once processed, you will receive your Certificate of Authority of Notary Public via email
• Obtain your notary supplies: In order to maintain professionalism and properly fulfil your responsibilities as a notary, you will need to obtain a notary seal and journal. Ensure these meet Utah’s specific requirements for these tools of the trade

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 Utah, 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 your commitment and specialized skill set, and can thus increase your marketability. Hiring companies also generally tend to prefer candidates with additional qualifications
• 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 demonstrates professionalism, trustworthiness, and reliability, which are all essential qualities in the mortgage and real estate sectors.

Clients and stakeholders can have confidence in your ability to handle loan signings accurately and efficiently, safeguarding their interests, and maintaining the integrity of the process.

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

Step 4: Purchase Signing Agent Supplies

After you’ve been commissioned as a notary public and have spent time becoming qualified as a loan signing agent, the next step is to purchase your notary supplies.

Loan signing agents need a notary stamp or seal and a notary journal to be able to fulfill their professional duties and maintain proper documentation during loan signings.

The notary seal or stamp validates the notarization of documents, while the journal serves as a record of a signer’s identity and all notarial acts, promoting transparency and preventing fraud.

Step 5: Obtain Errors and Omissions Insurance

While having an E&O insurance policy in Utah isn’t a legal requirement, you may want to obtain this type of coverage to protect your loan signing business.

E&O insurance covers legal expenses and damages that may arise from unintentional mistakes, thus safeguarding your personal assets and professional reputation.

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.