Using a Signing Service Can Increase Productivity

As part of the sale or purchase of real estate, you might be faced with the need to have a signing agent notarize certain paperwork in order to make the documents legally binding; there are also some notarization requirements when handling loan documents for your home and other transactions. There are several advantages to having a signing service perform specific tasks on your behalf, especially from a convenience standpoint. Here’s what you need to know about using a signing service to increase productivity.

What is a notary signing service?

Otherwise known as a signing agent or courtesy signer, a signing service uses certified individuals to obtain a formal signature on certain documents that require it. Essentially, a notary verifies the identity of the signatory and confirms that the act of signing is completed under that person’s free will. A notary public is sometimes referred to as legally “witnessing” the document execution.

In most of the US, this person is a notary public who specializes in the notarization of signatures on real estate transfer and loan paperwork. A document signing service typically requires its agents to have experience, training and/or certification regarding the proper execution of important documents.

A signing agent is a neutral party to transactions for which they notarize signatures, so they must remain impartial throughout the process. They cannot give legal advice, though they can identify documents by name as a signatory is executing them.

What types of transactions require a notary signing service?

In general, notarization is required when dealing with real estate transfers, but it’s also required in a wide range of transactions and circumstances:

• Real estate sale closings;
• Mortgage dealings;
• Execution of wills, trusts and other estate administration paperwork;
• Powers of attorney and advance directives;
• Divorces;
• Bills of sale for certain purchase transactions;
• Litigation documents; and,
• Many more.

Due to the legal nature of these transactions, signing agents are often employed by mortgage companies, escrow companies, title companies and law offices. However, signing services are also individual companies that employ notary public professionals.

How does a signing service increase productivity?

A notary signing service offers a convenient way to obtain legally binding, properly executed signatures on paperwork when such witnessing is needed. Many times, obtaining signatures pursuant to any of the transactions listed above requires the parties to hunt down and travel to a qualified signing agent. With more complicated deals, that might mean heading to a law office, followed by a lender’s location and then finally delivering fully executed documents to two or more parties.

A signing service can be onsite to notarize documents, eliminating the transportation hassles while still providing the proper legal requirements. The parties, their attorneys, lenders’ employees and others involved with the transaction are more productive because they take advantage of “one stop shopping” provided by a signing service.

For more information on how using a signing service can increase productivity with respect to executing documents, you should consult with an attorney or real estate professional. These experts can tell you more about how you can benefit from retaining a signing agent and make your life simpler through the process.