Notary Signing Agent Wyoming

Interested in finding out how to become a notary signing agent in Wyoming? 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 Wyoming 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 (NSA) 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 Wyoming, 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 Wyoming 

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

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

• Meet the basic eligibility criteria: Wyoming requires aspiring notaries to be at least 18 years old, a US citizen, or a permanent legal resident of the state and fulfill its background check requirements
• Complete training course requirements: You must take a notary training course to meet the education requirements laid out in Wyoming Statutes Section 32-3-121. The course should cover the laws, rules, and ethics relevant to notarial acts
• Pass the notary exam: You’ll have to take and pass the Wyoming notary exam by scoring at least 70%. Details regarding the notary exam can be found in the Notary Public Commission Instructions
• Complete and file an application form: Complete and file the application form, along with your training certificate of completion and the $60 application fee, to the Wyoming Secretary of State
• Obtain notary supplies: Tools of the trade, such as notary seals and record books, are essential to be able to properly fulfill your responsibilities. These will need to be specific to the state of Wyoming

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 Wyoming, 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

In Wyoming, becoming SPW (Signing Professionals Workgroup) compliant as a notary is optional but generally recommended.

Many companies and organizations in the mortgage and real estate industries require notary signing agents to be SPW compliant.

By obtaining SPW compliance, signing agents can expand their opportunities for work and collaboration. It opens doors to partnerships with lenders, title companies, signing services, and other entities that value SPW compliance.

Getting compliant involves completing continuing education and training requirements, undergoing a background check, passing the notary exam, and maintaining a minimum of $25,000 errors and omissions (E&O) insurance.

Note: In Wyoming, the bond or E&O requirement is no longer recorded with the state or county. However, you can still obtain an optional bond or E&O insurance to protect yourself against potential liability claims arising from mistakes or negligence during notarization.

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 need tools such as a notary seal or stamp and a tamper-proof notary journal or record book.

Your notary stamp or seal will be used to notarize signed documents while a notary journal or record book is used to record details of notarizations, serving as your reference of the signer’s identity and ensuring accountability and transparency of the notarial process.

Step 5: Obtain Errors and Omissions Insurance

In Wyoming, purchasing E&O insurance is optional but is strongly recommended.

While there is no surety bond requirement, you may want to consider protecting yourself as a notary from possible legal liabilities or financial losses and damages by obtaining a separate, optional E&O insurance policy.

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.