Mobile Notary Review

Service Link Lowering Notary Fees

2011-07-11T15:39:00.000-07:00

I have been reading for several weeks that Service Link, a national document signing company, has been calling notaries asking them to lower their fees in order to stay in their database. I had not received that call until today...

Brittany calls to tell me that they are requesting that I lower my fee to $45 for overnight and $55 for edocs and if I did not lower my fees then I couldn't expect to receive any future calls and that a "ton" of notaries had already accepted this new lower fee. Well, I proceeded to tell her that I could not be a part of that "ton" so I was not accepting their new lower fee schedule and thanked her time before I got off the phone.

Just last week I received an edoc signing from Service Link for $90 so $45 would be an exact 50% pay cut! I do not know who can live off a 50% pay cut but I can not. It is really sad that while these companies still make millions they are attacking the easiest target, the independent notary. I have not made $50 for a loan signing since I first became a notary 7 years ago and I refuse to go backward.

If all notaries said no then Service Link would have no choice but to stop their bullying and pay us what we're worth! I will find another line of work before I accept these kind rates.

AAN - Serving Notaries Nationwide

2011-07-04T17:20:00.000-07:00

When you are a professional it is always smart to join a professional association that represents your field. Associations enable you to network, keep you up to date with changes in your industry and they help you promote your business. One class act notary association is the American Association of Notaries.

The AAN began in 1994 offering memberships to Texas notaries but quickly became a full-service company, assisting notaries with the application, appointment, and bonding processes, and offering a wide range of quality notary seals, supplies, and products.

They offer education, advocacy, service and membership. You can also sign up for a free monthly newsletter.

Good Notary Advice

2011-06-30T16:59:00.000-07:00

Notary Tips is a PDF prepared by the State of New Mexico for their notaries but it offers useful information for all notaries nationwide. It lists basic reminders on how to perform a notarization and how to avoid practicing UPL (unauthorized practice of law). A great print out to refer to.

Successful Notary Tip #13 - Don't Overthink the Job

2011-06-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

The job of a notary is to mitigate fraud by verifying the identity of the signer and by acting as an impartial witness to the signing of the document (s). The job of a notary is not too get overly involved in the process by reading the document, asking the signers inappropriate questions like why they are signing the document or what the document is being used for or to give their opinion regarding the document. The most we should be doing is reviewing the document for completeness.

The more responsibility to you take for the document, the more responsibility you assume. In the case you are ever called into court you will have answer for what you know and I would prefer to only answer questions about my part as the notary.

A notary's job is important but we are not attorneys nor do we receive their salary or their headaches so don't over think the job. Have fun as it is never a dull day as a notary because no two days are ever the same.

2011 Loan Rescission Calendar

2011-06-21T15:36:00.000-07:00

Loan rescission calendars are helpful to figure out the 3-day right to cancel period for borrowers refinancing their home. There are several versions available online but I personally like the one at Notary Rotary.

You can also view the loan rescission calendars at Notary Classes, PPDocs and North County Title.

New Long Beach Notary Profile

2011-06-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

I just added my profile to Thumbtack.com! They are looking for new service professionals so register today.

Mobile Notary Travels to Local Hospitals

2011-05-25T19:46:00.000-07:00

The Document Diva is available to travel to any of the local Long Beach hospitals. The main hospitals in Long Beach are Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, St. Mary Medical Center, Pacific Hospital Long Beach, VA Long Beach and Community Hospital of Long Beach.

If your loved one is in need of notarizing a power of attorney, advanced health care directive or any other vital document please contact The Document Diva @ (562) 314-4319.

It's Been Three Months!

2011-05-25T19:34:00.000-07:00

Yes, it has been about 3 months since my last loan signing. I have had a few assignments I could not accept but overall the loan signing business has been slow in the Long Beach area. The slow down comes as quite a surprise since I had over 12 loan signings in the month of December alone!

This once again illustrates the need to diversify and expand the list of services you offer as a notary because the real estate business is no longer the gravy train it used to be. I heard of some notaries that at the height of the real estate boom were making close to $100,000! I can only imagine their shock when the real estate bubble burst.

With that said, I finally got to use my new dual-tray printer. It worked beautifully and I look forward to my next loan signing assignment.

Stephen Colbert's Hilarious Video About AT&T's Mega-Mergers

2011-03-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard the news AT&T put in a bid to purchase T-Mobile for $39 billion dollars in cash and stock. This news does not bode well for consumer choice or pocketbooks. Here's a flashback video of Stephen Colbert illustrating AT&T's bid for consumer domination.

New Brother Dual-Tray Printer

2011-03-21T12:32:00.000-07:00

My first big business purchase of the new year is a new Brother dual-tray printer. I've been a signing agent just as long as I've been a notary but I've been relying on a single-tray, laser printer to print my loans. Well, when my Lexmark decided to die I decided it was time for an upgrade.

Thankfully, I came across a deal on a dual-tray Brother HL-5370 DW for under $300! Once I got it home it was an easy set up and now I'm ready to go. No more printing everything on legal size paper which is a money saver since letter is about half the cost.

I look forward to printing my first loan but as Murphy's Law would have it I haven't had one loan job since I purchased the printer. But o, well I'm still ready when called. :)

Mobile Notary Available Over the Holidays

2010-12-21T17:13:00.000-08:00

If you are in need of a notary over the Christmas and New Years holidays The Document Diva is available for all your mobile notary needs. For a modest travel fee we are available to travel to residences, businesses, hospitals, convalescent homes, jails or any other convenient location.

Local hospitals we serve in Long Beach are:

Long Beach Memorial, Community Hospital of Long Beach, VA Long Beach, Pacific Hospital and St. Mary Medical.

The Document Diva can be reached @ (562) 314-4319

Best Smartphones by Carrier

2010-12-20T10:37:00.000-08:00

The modern notary relies heavily on their smartphone to be available for business at all times. Whether checking e-mail, looking up last minute directions or searching the web smartphones are an invaluable tool for the notary on the go.

PCWorld Magazine recently reviewed the best smartphones by carrier.

What is a Notary Public?

2010-10-28T22:47:00.000-07:00

This is a common question I see posted online. Wikipedia has a very good definition of a notary public:

A public officer constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters usually concerned with estates, deeds, powers-of-attorney, and foreign and international business.

In other words, a notary public is an impartial witness appointed by the state that is a witness to the signing of a document. A notary public cannot offer advice or perform any act that could be construed as practicing law.

Each state has specific laws and requirements for their notaries. In California, notaries are appointed for a four year term by the Secretary of State after completing a mandatory six-hour course of study and passing an a 30 question exam.

Follow Me...

2010-06-04T12:11:00.000-07:00

If you would like to follow me on Twitter I can be found @ twitter.com/documentdiva

No More Missed Calls!

2010-06-04T12:01:00.000-07:00

Even though my voicemail message promises to return most phone calls within 15 minutes I still get people who refuse to leave a message. I guess you can call it voicemail fatigue. People are tired of not reaching a live person, they want to know their issue is going to be handled promptly.

So after researching all of my options I've decided to hire an answering service! Now when I am unable to answer the phone it will roll over to my answer service, which will in turn will send me an e-mail with all of the caller's details.

I look forward to taking my client's experience with The Document Diva to the next level. If you are looking for a notary that will always answer the phone please call (562) 314-4319.

What To Do This Summer?

2010-05-21T12:50:00.000-07:00

Even a hard working notary needs a break once in a while. I wish I was going on a Caribbean cruise this summer but I will have to settle for less exotic locations. Two events I am looking forward to are the Festival of Arts - Pageant of the Masters, a live art show in Laguna Beach and Walking With Dinosaurs, a BBC show with life-size dinosaurs.

This year's Pageant theme is Eat, Drink and Be Merry features some of the most glorious art ever created that has eloquently expressed the singular joys of being alive. The show runs nightly @ 8:30 p.m. from July 31 to August 7th, 2010.

What is Pageant of the Masters?

Ninety minutes of "living pictures" - incredibly faithful art re-creations of classical and contemporary works with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces. An outdoor amphitheater, professional orchestra, original score, live narration, intricate sets, sophisticated lighting, expert staff, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers have won recognition for the Pageant as the best presentation of its kind.

What is Walking With Dinosaurs?

Walking With Dinosaurs has tour dates throughout the U.S. form June to September 2010. Internationally renowned designers have worked with scientists to create 15 life-size dinosaurs, including the terror of the ancient terrain, Tyrannosaurus-rex! Be amazed and thrilled as the greatest creatures ever to walk the earth return before your eyes.

More travel ideas can be found in the calendar section of your local newspaper or online through the AAA website.

Notarizing Without ID

2010-05-21T12:15:00.000-07:00

If you need a document notarized but are unable to produce identification or your identification has expired, California law allows your document to be notarized with the oath of two credible witnesses who possess identification. Under oath, the credible witnesses must swear or affirm under penalty of perjury to each of the following:

1. The individual appearing before the notary public as the signer of the document is the person named in the document;
2. The credible witness personally knows the signer;
3. The credible witness reasonably believes that the circumstances of the signer are such that it would be very difficult or impossible for the signer to obtain another form of identification;
4. The signer does not possess any of the identification documents authorized by law to establish the signer’s identity;
5. The credible witness does not have a financial interest and is not named in the document signed.

Once the two credible witnesses take the oath and produce identification your document can be notarized.

Notary Travels to You

2010-04-09T23:19:00.000-07:00

When you are unable to travel to find a notary let the notary travel to you! The Document Diva provides mobile notary services to hospitals, convalescent homes, businesses, hotels, jails, residences and more.

A mobile notary is a convenient option when scheduling, incarceration or disability prevents you from walking into a location to find a notary. All that is needed is valid identification and the document to be notarized and we can easily complete your notarization.

We provide mobile notary services to the following cities:

Long Beach, Signal Hill, Lakewood, Cerritos, Artesia, Wilmington, Carson, Bellflower, Paramount, Downey, Compton, Torrance, Seal Beach, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, Cypress, Los Alamitos, San Pedro, Harbor City, Hawaiian Gardens, Surfside, Lomita, Garden Grove, Gardena, Westminster, and greater Los Angeles & Orange county.

The Document Diva (562) 314-4319

Would You Like to Have a Notary on Staff?

2009-12-17T15:56:00.000-08:00

You never need a notary, until you need a notary and when you need a notary they seem to be impossible to find so if you work in an office it would be nice to have a notary on staff. Unfortunately, this is not always possible for various reasons but the next best option is to have a mobile notary travel to you.

The Document Diva is available to notarize your documents at a time and location that works best for you for a modest travel fee plus $10 per notarized signature. We cover all of the local cities such as Long Beach, San Pedro, Wilmington, Palos Verdes, Seal Beach, Lakewood, Carson, Paramount and more!

The Document Diva has been a recognized name in the mobile notary business for the last 5 years in Los Angeles & Orange county by providing our clients with superior service. Please read our glowing testimonials to see what our customers are raving about.

Call The Document Diva @ (562) 314-4319 to book your next mobile notary appointment.

A Free Day @ Disneyland!

2009-10-19T22:27:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that a day at Disneyland is not cheap. Regular priced admission is $72, which in this economy is prohibitive for a lot of families. Thankfully Disneyland is kind enough to offer a few pricing options.

2009 marks a year of celebration at Disneyland so they are allowing everyone to get into Disneyland free on their birthday. You can register yourself and your children until Dec 31, 2009.

If you are a Southern CA resident Disneyland is offering a monthly payment option with payments ranging from $6 to $30 a month for their annual passports. Blackout dates and parking vary depending on which annual passport you purchase.

Disneyland has announced that in 2010 if you give a day of volunteer service they will give you a free day at Disneyland. Sign ups begin January 1, 2010.

My recent trip to Disneyland!

Successful Notary Tip #12 - Don't Change Your Signature

2009-10-19T20:14:00.000-07:00

I am not aware of how it works in other states but in CA a newly commissioned notary must be sworn in at the County Clerk-Recorder's office in the county in which they will be conducting most of their business.

Once a notary is sworn in they are to sign their signature the way they will be signing as a notary. Over the term of a notary's commission a notary may forget this fact and mistakenly change their signature.

A notary may only become aware that they have changed their signature when a document they have notarized is rejected for recording or their signature cannot be authenticated because they have changed their signature.

In order to avoid any problems or delays be sure your notary signature is consistent with what is on file with the County Recorder.

Traveling Notary Available After hours

2009-10-19T20:04:00.000-07:00

Is it after business hours and have you just discovered that your document that needs to be notarized before tomorrow's deadline?

Do you have a document that requires more than one signature to be notarized but you both are not available until after working hours?

If either of these scenarios are true give the after hours professional, The Document Diva a call. We specialize in accommodating last minute and after hours request. We will make arrangements to dispatch a notary to your location to notarize your document.

The Document Diva - Mobile Notary (562) 314-4319

Last Minute Appointments Okay With Me

2009-10-03T23:10:00.000-07:00

Clients frequently apologize when they have to contact me for a last minute notarization appointment but there really is no need to apologize as I realize you never need a notary, until you need a notary.

Frequently people are not aware they need their document notarized until they are about to sign the very last page and the instructions say "this document needs to be notarized."

Last minute appointments are the nature of the business, and my specialty so if you are in need of a last minute notarization give The Document Diva a call @ (562) 314-4319 and I'll make sure your document is taken care. I am available weekends, evenings and holidays.

I Wanna Do That!

2009-09-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

I am always amazed by the fact that when I tell people I am a traveling notary they suddenly want to do the same thing. They are surprised I am a mobile notary full-time and tend to believe that since I make a successful living they can do the same.

I wonder if other professionals face the same issue? On one hand it is flattering but on the other it is annoying because you know how much time, effort and expense you have put into building a successful business.

It has taken me almost 5 years to establish myself enough to make a full-time living as a notary. I am constantly thinking of new ways to reinvent myself and of new services I can offer. You never need a notary till you need a notary so it can be a very up and down business.

Just because you become a notary it does not mean that people are going to be suddenly chasing you down for your services. To be successful it takes creativity, planning and a lot of trial and error so research all of your options before you decide to become a notary.

Ring, Ring, Ring - How May I Help You?

2009-08-26T12:06:00.000-07:00

August has brought warmer weather and increased business. My loans, apostilles and direct notary work are all up over July. The minute I sit down to rest the phone rings for my next job!

It's nice being busy doing what you love. In this month alone, I have processed apostilles for the Czech Republic, Serbia, Mexico, South Korea and Spain. I'm currently in the middle of processing documents for the UAE and Austria.

Direct notary work has led me to notarize documents at the Torrance Courthouse for the Los Angeles District Attorney, for an attorney at the Metropolitan Detention Center, parental permission to travel documents for an uncle taking his nephew on a cruise, a power of attorney at Men's Central Jail and a marriage license application at Twin Towers.

I hope business remains steady but if not I will use the down time to to increase my marketing efforts. Consistent marketing will help me have consistent business.