The Difference Between a Notary Public and a Signing Agent
In the realm of legal documentation, both notary publics and signing agents play crucial roles, yet they serve different functions. Understanding the distinction between these two roles can help ensure you seek the right professional for your needs.
Notary Public
A notary public is a public official appointed by the state government to serve as an impartial witness during the signing of important documents. The primary duties of a notary public include:
Verifying Identity: Ensuring that the signers of a document are who they claim to be. This typically involves checking a valid form of identification.
Witnessing Signatures: Observing the signing of the document to confirm that it is being signed willingly and without coercion.
Administering Oaths and Affirmations: Officially swearing in individuals for certain legal purposes.
Deterring Fraud: By verifying the identity of signers and ensuring the integrity of the signing process, notaries help prevent document fraud.
Typical documents notarized by a notary public include affidavits, deeds, wills, powers of attorney, and other legal documents.
Signing Agent
A signing agent, often known as a notary signing agent (NSA), is a specialized type of notary public who is trained to handle and oversee the signing of loan documents. Their expertise lies in the mortgage and real estate industry. Key responsibilities of a signing agent include:
Presenting Loan Documents: Explaining the purpose of each loan document to the borrower, ensuring they understand what they are signing.
Ensuring Proper Execution: Making sure that all documents are signed, initialed, and dated correctly to avoid delays in the loan process.
Returning Documents: After the signing, the signing agent is responsible for returning the completed documents to the lending institution or title company.
While signing agents must be notaries, they also receive additional training to understand the complexities of loan documents and the mortgage closing process. This specialization ensures that real estate transactions are completed efficiently and accurately.
The UPS Store's Notary Services
The UPS Store offers comprehensive notary services to help individuals and businesses handle their important documents with ease and professionalism. Here’s what you can expect from The UPS Store's notary service:
Convenient Locations and Hours: With numerous locations and extended hours, The UPS Store makes it easy to find a notary public when you need one.
Certified Notaries: The notaries at The UPS Store are certified and trained to handle your documents with the utmost care and professionalism.
Variety of Services: In addition to notarizing documents, The UPS Store offers related services like copying, faxing, and overnight shipping, providing a one-stop solution for your document needs.
Additional Signing Agent Services: While The UPS Store primarily offers general notary services, some locations may have signing agents available for those needing specialized loan document assistance.
Why Choose The UPS Store?
Choosing The UPS Store for your notary needs ensures that your documents are handled efficiently and accurately. Their notaries are well-versed in the requirements of various legal documents, and their convenient locations and extended hours mean you can get your documents notarized at a time and place that suits you.
In conclusion, while both notary publics and signing agents are essential for different types of document signings, understanding their unique roles ensures you select the right professional for your needs. The UPS Store's notary services provide a reliable and convenient option for all your notarization needs, whether you need a simple affidavit notarized or assistance with complex loan documents.