Texas Notary Publisher

Facebook Marketing for Notaries

2011-04-17T16:50:00.000-07:00

The days of surfing to a potential client's website and filling in a form in order to "sign up" for work is not enough.

It's not 2001 anymore. It's a decade later, folks, and time to knock the rust off of the old marketing factory's wheels. If you want to stay competitive, a 2011 marketing skill set is imperative.

Start working on your Facebook Skills.

Google Merchant Checkout

2010-11-27T11:55:00.000-08:00

To pay for notary services, please use the Google Merchant Checkout Below.

Scroll down until you see the amount that you were quoted. Make your purchase using a credit card.

Free and Very Useful Things for Notaries

2010-11-27T10:20:00.000-08:00

Wish you could take credit cards? You can! And, you won't have to pay for a merchant account...no start up fee and around $.30 (Yes! that's thirty cents!) per transaction. A project is in the works to bring you this and 20 other must-have-tools to give your notary business a sharp, professional edge.

AAN MEMBERS: Keep an eye out for the next issue of the Notary Digest. You're going to love it!

For $19 a year, notaries receive educational articles, an online profile, discounts and more. Visit the American Association of Notaries' website for more information.

Can My Notary Seal Ink be Purple? (Preview)

2010-07-28T18:14:00.000-07:00

If you are interest in knowing whether or not you can have a notary stamp seal with a color of ink other than black, sign up for the American Association of Notaries' free emailed newsletter. The next emailed article begins like this,

"There are only six states with laws that require black ink to be used in the notary’s seal; one state requires purple and several states do not require a seal at all. The majority of states’ notaries can choose a reproducible ink color such as blue, purple, or green. Can you?"

Notaries often believe that they must have black ink in their notary seal. Only six states require black, and one state, Tennessee, requires that the notary's stamp seal ink be any color except black.

Sign up for the next free emailed newsletter from the AAN to receive this and other insightful notary articles.

The article about notary seal ink color will be published within the week. After the newsletter comes out, this entry will be updated to include the link.

Until next time....Brenda Stone, Texas Notary Publisher

“It’s not legal if the date is different!”

2010-07-02T04:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, a contract was returned to the office where I work due to a “notary error”. The sender said it was not “legal” because the acknowledgment date was different that the signing date. I heard my co-worker (my dear friend, Jane) say on the phone, “Well, our notary is a writer for a notary association and she really does know what she is doing.” I was touched by that, but in this case, me being right is certainly not as important as the contract getting signed to the sender’s satisfaction.

I was headed out for lunch and told Jane that there was no need to argue about it. Just send it back and we would re-sign and I would notarize again on THAT date so that the two dates would be the same.

My co-workers know that I write articles for the American Association of Notaries. They know that I pride myself in understanding Texas notary law. My “real” job is naturally ultra-important, but writing notary articles for the AAN is what I get up for before 5:00 a.m. each morning and is what I love. I went home and got my American Association of Notaries’ handbook so I could show my co-workers that an acknowledgment date did not have to be the same date as the date of the contract, or the date that the document was signed.

When I returned to the office, I explained that an affidavit’s certificate, the jurat, would need to show the same date as the signing of the document, but an acknowledgment did not. A document may be signed on January 5, 2010, yet be acknowledged before the notary on December 5, 2010, or even on a date in 2011. In the case of this particular contract, the contract was signed around three days before the signer (my boss) acknowledged the document before me, the notary. When it showed up on my desk, I took the document and went into her office; then, I went through the verbal acknowledgment ceremony, completed the journal work, and then notarized the document.

Jane told me that when she called to follow up with the sender of the rejected contract, she (Jane) was put on speaker phone. Then, the sender/rejecter announced to a roomful of key players on the other end of the conversation that she was a notary and she knew it was incorrect…that the other notary (me) was wrong and didn’t know what she was doing. (I’m sorry you had to go through that, Jane!)

I don’t argue my position where it does not matter. If someone such as this sender/rejecter/notary wants something different, and it is legal for me to do, then I do it. The way this will be handled is that I will assure that the boss signs and I notarize on the same date. The notary expert on the other end gets to be “right”…this time.

Alex's Notary Resources - Bookmark it, Danno.

2010-06-28T04:13:00.000-07:00

My mentor in blogging, Alex Yvonnou, has yet again hit the bull’s eye with his notary’s resource page.

You won't believe all the great links you will find there.

Imitation is the best form of flattery, Alex. A future blog entry will be The Texas Notary Publisher's List of Notary Resources.

And, the list will probably begin like this:

1) Alex's List of Notary Resources, plus...

2) Free monthly notary newsletters - American Association of Notaries

3) Notary Locator - AAN's Directory

4) Find your Notary Public Administrator's Contact Information - NASS.org

For the linking impaired-- The links used in this entry follow.

http://texasnotarypublisher.blogspot.com/
http://www.detroitnotary.com/
http://www.detroitnotary.com/notaryresources.htm
http://usnotaries.com/signup.asp
http://usnotaries.com/
http://nass.org/index.php?option=contact_display&state_value=

Important Articles of the 2010 Summer Edition of The Notary Digest

2010-06-22T04:15:00.000-07:00

The American Association of Notaries publishes a print newsletter quarterly. This summer, you won't want to miss the following articles! Join the AAN today to receive your copy of The Notary Digest. For only $19.95 a year you will receive this issue, and access to all back issues of this timely newsletter which discusses topics that are very important to notaries.

Uniform Notary Law Changes Anticipated
The laws that guide notaries in at least ten states may be affected significantly in July at a conference meeting in Chicago. An item on the agenda of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) holds particular interest for notaries. The agenda for July 11, 2010 calls for “Consideration of Revisions to the Uniform Law on Notarial Acts.”
--Find out if this may affect you!

Preparing Your Business for Disaster
Whether as a result of weather, utility disruption, or a manmade emergency, disaster and the need for evacuation can strike at any time and in any place. No notary’s business is immune to disruption due to catastrophic events. To properly prepare for such emergencies and/or the need for evacuation, notaries should determine what is necessary to resume business operations and make plans to protect it.
--As hurricane season approaches, this is critical information for notaries along the coast!

Apostille FAQs
Since a notarial act is an integral part of the apostille process, notaries often have questions this subject. Below are the questions we have identified to be common points of confusion to notaries regarding the use and issuance of apostilles. Be sure to read the last question and its answer. What you learn may be very surprising!
--Notaries may not realize how important their actions are to the issuance of apostilles.

Steps for Avoiding ID Theft Victimization
When Debbie began her business as a mobile notary signing agent, she spent time each day contacting signing services to market her new business. However, it was not long before she encountered a serious problem. The kind of information she was repeatedly asked to provide to prospective signing service clients was what Debbie considered highly sensitive information. Almost every signing service she solicited work from required her to provide a copy of her state driver’s license and a copy of her Social Security card.
--Learn how to protect yourself from ID theft!

For more information on how to become a member of the AAN, visit http://usnotaries.com/ today.

Accommodating a Disability: Signing by Mark

2010-06-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

On occasion, a person appears before the notary and cannot sign his or her full name because of a physical disability or frailty. In place of a signature the signer makes a mark. Learn how to handle notarizations when the client is “signing by mark.” Read More!

To read the entire article on handling a client who is signing by mark – visit this link!

Would you like to get articles like this each month? If you would like to receive email updates on notary laws, news, discounted supplies, and more, please visit the link below. All email addresses will be handled with strict confidence and according to AAN's privacy policy. You will have the option to unsubscribe at any time.

Free sign up!

Become a member of the American Association of Notaries--$19.95 a year…sign up today to receive a newsletter each quarter bursting with timely advice and news for notaries, PLUS deep discounts on notary needs and supplies. You can also list your business on their Notary Locator.

How to Notarize Corporate Entity Documents

2009-07-25T15:56:00.000-07:00

What if you encountered this signature block on a corporate document? Would you know what information went into the blanks?

BOVINE INDUSTRIES, INC.,
a Florida Corporation

By: __________________________
--------Elsie Cowser, President

Example of the Blank Notary Certificate that comes with it.

STATE OF__________
COUNTY OF _______

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ___________ by _________________________, __________________________________________ of __________________________________________ a _______________________ corporation, on behalf of the corporation. He/she is personally known to me or has produced _________________________as identification.

Signature of Person Taking Acknowledgment

Sign up today so you can get the next edition of the American Association of Notaries article on how to notarize those pesky corporate signatures.

From Loan Work to General Notary Work: How to notarize anything!

2009-07-25T15:39:00.001-07:00

For the last ten years many people have become notaries in order to be notary signing agents. As a result many do not have notary experience with other documents. Questions are often posed on internet notary forums regarding how to notarize adoptions papers, court documents, powers of attorney and other types of documents which the notary signing agent has not had experience or training on. This article is geared toward individuals who find themselves with similar questions.

Notaries who became notaries in order to be notary signing agents are accustom to the loan documents commonly provided in loan packages. For instance, notary signing agents become familiar with deeds of trust or mortgages and other common loan documents. As a notary signing agent a notary is expected to introduce each loan related document to the signer. For a deed of trust, the notary may be expected by their hiring entity to say something like, “This is a deed of trust. It is recorded at the county courthouse to provide proof that the lender has an interest in your property.” For other documents in a loan package a notary may have a similar remark to make as they present it to the borrowers.

A notary who is contemplating handling documents which are not in a loan document package may need to learn a slightly different approach for dealing with common notarizations for the general public.

First of all, there is no need to introduce the document or to give the signer of the document a short overview of what the client is signing. The content of the document is none of the notary’s concern as long as it is complete and the client is not executing it under duress.

In handling clients who call the notary with adoption papers, court-related documents, powers of attorney and other general notarization requests the notary does not need to be concerned with understanding or knowing what the document says. In fact, to assume that the notary needs to provide the client insight or information about the document or answer questions about it by pointing out information in the document could be considered the unlawful practice of law. While a notary signing agent is quite familiar with finding bits of information in common loan documents to point out to the borrower, a general notarization client does not need this kind of guidance, should not expect it and the notary should definitely not give it.

Years of working under expectations of title companies and lenders or learning in classes on how to be notary signing agent may require the notary to engage a new and less “hands on” approach.

When a notary is requested to notarize documents by the general public (non-loan types of documents) the notary should simply request state mandated identification from the client and note it in their journal if their state requires them to keep one. The notary should make statements according to their state’s laws regarding the completion of an acknowledgement, and of course, in the case of a jurat, the notary should administer an oath. Thereafter, once the document has been executed by the signer who has been properly identified, the notary should flip to the notary certificate and complete it according to their rules.

The process of notarizing any document is a standard procedure according to a notary’s state’s rules. The procedure does not change because of the title of the document or the contents of the document. The notary accustom to working with loan signing documents and who has not done other types of notarizations prior to becoming a loan signing agent may find it odd that they need to become far less involved with the general documents they handle. They may feel they are not doing their job as a notary when they do not have input to give the client regarding the document.

This is because the notary signing agent is accustomed to participating in two roles during a loan signing—the notary role and the signing agent role. In doing general notarizations there is no role except the role of notary public. It can be said that the notary is an impartial witness appointed by his or her state’s government to witness the signing of a document. A notary transitioning from the role of notary signing agent will need to reduce the level of service to the client which they expect of themselves. They must provide notary services fall into the scope of the duties they are commissioned for and nothing further.

If the client expects more from the notary in the way of advice or answering questions, the notary should suggest that the client visit with an attorney before signing the document. This is the only course that a notary can take for the client no matter how much they would like to do more to assist.

For notary signing agents who are modifying their business model so that they are doing more work as a general notary it is recommended that the notary review their notary rules or manual provided by their state and learn to think in terms of not necessarily notarizing a new type of document but rather notarizing a signature on a document. The notary is a witness to a signature placed on a document and the procedure will never change even when the documents do change.

If readers are concerned about the process of notarizing any document and their state’s rules are not explicit enough to give the answers required readers should contact the attorney of their choice.

(Note: In Louisiana notaries are more than what is mentioned above and they undergo strict training which provides them a larger scope of duties and knowledge.)

Embosser Care Tip:

2009-06-28T17:17:00.000-07:00

Since it seems to be made entirely of metal an embosser does not seem like a tool which will be harmed by the summer heat in a parked and locked car, however, that is not the case. The imprinting plate of the embosser is attached by the use of glue. Leaving an embosser in a place where it will be subjected to heat can melt and loosen the glue and cause the embosser’s imprinting plate to slip around a bit rendering it useless. Do not expose your embosser to the excessive sunlight or heat.

Need to know more about when you need an embosser?

Become a member of the American Association of Notaries at http://www.usnotaries.com.

You will find this tip and several articles written to enhance your income as a notary signing agent in the 2nd quarter edition of "The Notary Digest". Insight about when an embosser is needed to put your client at ease is only one of the topics covered. Learn how to get into the medical records business and much more.

Become a member today and you'll have access to past email publications such as"How to market to title companies", also, how to get experience with loan documents when you are just starting out.

Notary Work: Telephonic Hearings

2009-06-08T16:05:00.000-07:00

Sign up today for the newsletter from the American Association of Notaries.

Don't miss another issue.

Coming in June: This free newsletter will give the details on getting notary work related to telephonic hearings.

The article will describe:

What it is.
How to charge for it.
Where to find it.
How to market for it.

Tips on Title Company Marketing

2009-06-08T16:00:00.001-07:00

Coming this month...A detailed article from the American Association of Notaries on how to find the title companies you should be marketing to.

Also, there will be a list of tips on "how to", as well as the "don'ts" of how not to go about this.

If you do not already receive this newsletter, you can sign up for it free at http://usnotaries.com/signup.asp.

You won't want to miss this, I promise.

Notary Tools for Websites

2009-06-04T16:00:00.000-07:00

Google's Free Site Creation
http://sites.google.com/site/texasnotarypublisher/
(You can see I have started mine.)

Windows/Microsoft Free Site Creation
http://www.officelive.com

Master.com
Lots of webmaster tools here!
http://www.master.com

Video Alert, New Signing Agents, Don't Fall for This

2009-05-31T21:04:00.000-07:00

When you are called for a job and you quote your reasonable fee you may get unnecessary push back from the caller to get you to lower your fee. If you have had reasonable fees rejected you'll understand exactly what I mean. Have you hear one of these when receiving calls?

We are not authorized to pay that much.
(What they are authorized to pay has nothing with the fee you charge.)

Can't you help us out with this one and do it for less?
(If you wanted to give away a portion of your fee/money, don't you usually give it to your church, or the United Way or other charitable organization?)

If you'll take less we can use you.
("Use" seems to be the operative word here.)

Watch this video graciously shared with notaries at NotaryRotary.com by Marian Harmon, a Calfornia notary who also does virtual assistant work. You'll see how ridiculous these ploys played by low paying signing services truly are. It puts it all in perspective.

My Notary Twitter Life

2009-05-31T09:50:00.000-07:00

I Twitter. I don't "tweet" every single move I make. I tweet only once or twice per day at the most, and weekly at the minimum.

How I decide who to follow--
I want to keep my Twittering relative to other notaries and publishing efforts similar to mine, therefore...
...I follow all notaries, even if they do not follow me;
...I do not follow all notary associations or signing agencies, but I do some of them;
...I do not follow everyone who follows me;
...I follow some writers;
...I follow some marketers;
...I will follow other Twitters which improve my content and help me to network.

What do I twitter?
I twitter when I have a new article up on my blog; or...
...when I have something worthwhile for notaries to say, or...
...if there is something newsworthy, or...
...about notary sites I like.

Twitter Dislikes
Hey, everyone can have an opinion, right?
I don't like tweets which are meaningless, but I tolerate them if they are somewhat notary related. Some Twitterers tweet just to be tweeting...maybe that's the point of Twitter...it's just not my favorite thing.

If you are a notary and you Twitter about your notary world, follow me and I'll do likewise for you!

Are you a new notary? Or new signing agent?

2009-05-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

If so, I am writing articles for you these days through the monthly email and quarterly print newsletter of the American Association of Notaries.

Join the AAN in order to receive the print newsletter, Notary Digest. The cost is an amazingly low price of $19.00 per year. There is no better value. This price includes being a part of a notary database which covers the nation. For a view, please take a look here: http://members.usnotaries.net/locator.asp?
as well as a subscription to the association's quarterly newsletter, Notary Digest.

Still not convinced? Sign up for the free monthly e-newsletter and see what you think. This month's issue will be published on Monday, June 1. To receive your copy via email, go here: http://www.usnotaries.com/signup.asp

This month's email newsletter articles will include:

Notarizing a Document With Two Different Types of Certificates. This article explains how to handle a document with both a jurat and acknowledgment.
Experts Tips for a Beginning Signing Agent. This article includes tips for synthesizing experience with loan documents before taking your first appointment. (It will also include a way for a new notary signing agent to get their hands on a stack of documents right away.)

California Notary, Charles Peavey's Daughter Sings "Una Donna a Qundici Anni"

2009-05-26T18:22:00.000-07:00

Tatiana Peavey sings Mozart's "Una Donna a quindici anni" from the opera "Cosi fan tutti".

Charles Peavey, California notary and the proud father of this brunette beauty (who definitely sings like an angel), shares this with our notary world.

So, take a break from neatening up your journals, parsing through notary law, and your jurat discussions to join us in a cultured moment. If you like what Tatiana has to offer, please pass it on. Here's here link if you want to copy it into an email:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lw9Q7fIkls&feature=player_embedded

How inspiring, Charles. This is amazing talent. I wish her godspeed in her endeavors!

Notary Course - Refreshing My Knowledge

2009-05-05T03:45:00.000-07:00

This morning I started taking a Texas Notary Self-Study Course. No matter how long you have been a notary it is good to refresh your knowledge from time to time. Laws do change and memories do fade.

The course I am taking is $25.00 and is online through the American Association of Notaries online training website. In order to reach a course for your state go to their website. You will see a link for online training. Currently, the online training is only for Texas notaries.

Each page of the test will give you time to read and absorb what you have seen before you move on. At the end of every chapter is a set of questions. A great compliment to the test is my Texas Notary Self-Study Course. You can order it through the American Association of Notaries website, as well.

Who besides me should take this course?
-Experienced Texas notaries who want to be notary signing agents. (Being a signing agent requires that you become extremely proficient in performing notary duties while dealing with a lot of distractions and outside input.)
-Notaries and notary signing agents who have held their commission for a long time. (Even if you don't have to take a test to get your commission every four years it is good to refresh your memory and to assure you are remaining current with any changes to the law.)
-People who have recently decided to be notaries. (Some states require little self-study. It is up to the notary to make sure they are confident in their laws.)

American Association of Notaries

2009-04-28T03:56:00.000-07:00

Kal Tabbara of the American Association of Notaries (AAN) has graciously allowed me to start writing content for his publications. I have gotten my notary commission renewed through the AAN the last two times.

When I did so, I received the Texas Notary Public Manual. As far as I am concerned it is the best Texas Notary Public Manual on the market. It has been so since 2004 when I first took a look at it. The newer version is even better.

The membership to this organization is $19.00. All fifty states are represented by the AAN.

The new "Notary Locator" is also a great addition to membership with the AAN.

In order to receive the print version of the AAN's newsletters consider joining.

You can sign up for the email version for free. There are at least two notary articles each month but they are not the same as the print version. The print version is published once a quarter.

From the AAN website, here are the stated benefits of membership:

Member program includes:

Quarterly subscription to the Notary Digest Newsletter, keeping you informed of new trends and laws.
Earn 5% in discounts and 5% in rewards redeemable on your next purchase.
“Members only’ specials offered throughout the year that save you money on all notary supplies and training materials. Plus, you’ll enjoy discounts on car rentals, hotels, and express delivery, with new affinity programs continually established to benefit you.
Unlimited expert technical support that will help you maintain your good standing as a professional notary.
‘Members Only’ log-in area on our informative website: members.usnotaries.net
Unlimited use of our logo on your business cards, letterhead, and advertising, establishing you as a professional notary having an alliance with a leading expert notary organization.
Free listing in our National Notary Locator to help you advertise and market your services..
Calendar and Event reminder with email notification reminder to help you keep track of your important meetings.
E-record book that can be accessed 24/7 (check your state laws for compliance).
Free reference support letters if needed.
Timely notary commission renewal notification well before its expiration, to avoid a lapsed commission.
Address and name change forms filed with your state’s notary administrators upon notification from you.

Meet OpenOffice.org!

2009-04-28T03:54:00.000-07:00

As a business owner you will find yourself needing more capabilities from your personal computer. Novice mobile notary business owners have enough expenses without having to purchase expensive software. If you have ample word processing and spreadsheet software on your computer, you are all set to start creating marketing materials, doing simple bookkeeping and setting up forms you will need such as invoices.

However, if your software is not powerful enough please make the acquaintance of one of the best kept FREE secrets on the World Wide Web. You can have all the software you need to start your business simply by downloading OpenOffice!

OpenOffice is free open source software which will provide everything you need to properly begin or support your business. If you do not have software on your computer which provides spreadsheets, word processing, presentations, and database functions then I highly recommend that you download and learn to use OpenOffice as part of getting prepared for when your business takes off. You can obtain OpenOffice from this link: http://www.openoffice.org.

OpenOffice will replace any need you have for the pricey Microsoft Office. You may even find that you prefer OpenOffice over Microsoft Office, especially if you are a fan of Microsoft Office 2003 and are now stuck with the newer version of Microsoft Office 2007. If this sounds like you, you will be glad to know that OpenOffice functions more like Microsoft Office 2003 than Microsoft Office 2007 does. OpenOffice is 100% free, easy to install and it is available for download day or night.

The Notary’s Dog 1999-2009

2009-04-20T04:09:00.000-07:00

She came to me a ten week old wormy, mangy, stinking ball.. She had one eye which was good but the other was blind and infected due to abuse. Her legs were short and her belly nearly dragged the ground.

I didn’t want her, actually, but I had just lost my husband and I needed a dog in the worst way. This one was special. And fate put her into my lap. She was a gift from God.

She was housebroken almost immediately. She did everything she could to understand what I wanted of her. After the passing of a couple of months and spending around $500 on her injuries Ally was finally clear of parasites; her mange finally healed, the infection in her eye went away and she became a brilliant, loving, grateful dog. The two of us could speak to each other with our eyes. She's the only dog I have ever experienced that with.

When I started the notary business, so did she. She announced the comings and goings of clients and delivery men. She rode on short trips to drop off packages. Sometimes she went on late night appointments with me and waited patiently in the car while I completed a task. While the car was moving she loved to stick her head out the window and feel the air rushing across her face. Often I drove down city streets slowly early in the mornings to get her a treat from McDonald's or Whataburger before there was traffic just to please her; she'd stick her head out the window and take everything in with her one good eye. I used to say that she got more good out of that one eye than most dogs did with two good ones.

She developed storm anxiety in 2006. For nearly three years I have fought it with pills, crates and the like. Nothing worked. On Friday, there was a storm and she was beyond containing. I had her put to sleep. I did not drop her off at the vet’s office. I took her in, held her close and they gave her morphine and valium to relax her. When she was sound asleep they gave her the fatal shot. She died in my arms at 3:47 pm, April 17, 2009.

Some may argue that I could have given her away or gotten a much more expensive stainless steel cage for her but what where would that leave her? Another home might lose patience with her and beat her or take her to be euthanized without loving her.. Another cage would only keep her contained while she lost control of her mind during storm and fear overtook her bodily functions. It happened once and she was humiliated that she had to be found after soiling her crate.

No. She was my baby girl and my best friend. She deserved to die with dignity and with my love surrounding her and with her head on my shoulder.

I mourned her passing all weekend. Turned down two notary assignments as a result…and I am okay with that. Finally on Sunday I was able to pull it together again.

Rest in peace little girl.

Ally Stone:

The Notary’s Dog 1999-2009

Business Cards

2009-04-13T18:33:00.000-07:00

It cannot be said enough that mobile notary business cards should--

deliver a clear message
not be cluttered and full of irrelevant junk
always be with the notary
never be hoarded
be given away every single day

To read more about preparing a business card for the notary business, join the American Association of Notaries. A very detailed article about notary business cards appeared in the First Quarter Issue of the Notary Digest. Join today and read this and other articles which will assist in your mobile notary business.

Pocket Notary Record Book

2009-04-13T18:19:00.000-07:00

If you go "mobile" with your notary business you really need to take a look at these. They are perfectly acceptable for Texas notaries to use as a supplemental journal. With a small pocket sized notary seal and one of these little pocket journals I can notarize anywhere, anytime without warning. They are so small I keep them in my purse so I am ready at all times to notarize.

From the American Association of Notaries which sells this little Pocket Notary Record Book, the descriptions is as follows: "Accommodates 30 entries. Can be easily carried in pocket or purse. Meets legal requirements for Texas Notaries. Can be used as a primary or supplementary record book. Includes complete instructions."

Click on the image or this link to see where you can order the pocket-sized journal.

Articles in the Notary Digest - First Quarter

2009-04-13T04:06:00.000-07:00

Sneak Peek: Here is a synopsis of a few of the articles soon to be available for your inspection if you are a member of the American Association of Notaries--

Is Being a Notary Signing Agent for You?
If you are thinking about moving your mobile notary business into a new arena you will find interest in this article.

Home-Based Notary Work
This article goes into detail regarding my personal method of accepting notary work at my home and addresses the issues which you may be causing you to reject this type of work. It's practically "free" money. Don't turn it down!

About Pricing Your Services...
Gives a method of coming up with fees for local mobile notary assignments.

Can you notarize this photograph?
Oh that pesky question that notaries get so often. I go into detail on how I handle these requests so that a workable solution is often reached.

If you are a member of the American Association of Notaries you will receive the Notary Digest each quarter.

Have a Happy Monday!

Your Texas Notary Publisher reporting from College Station, Texas....
Brenda

Sample Notary Certificate Forms Binder

2009-04-08T19:06:00.000-07:00

I have a sample form binder that I keep loose notary certificates in. That way when someone comes to me needing something notarized they can select the form of notary certificate that I will complete for them.

I printed out the Texas notary certificate samples from the Texas Secretary of State.

Then, I made several of each type, slid them into vinyl pockets that fit into a binder and I have them ready for those documents which need a certificate and do not have one.

How, you might wonder, do I know that something needs a notary certificate if one is not already attached?

I don't. But the clients ask for it and I show them what I have. This process is acceptable according to the Texas Secretary of State.

Home Notary Work

2009-04-08T19:01:00.000-07:00

I know people think I am crazy because I accept this kind of work. A woman I used to work with once said, "I don't tell anyone I am a notary because I don't want them calling me at home. $6.00 just doesn't motivate me to do it."

I totally get that, but I have developed a method of doing it that makes it quite a breeze. The secret to doing it is streamlining the process. I just finished an article on how to do that which I will be submitting to the association I will soon (hopefully) be writing for. If they reject it for some reason, I promise it will be available to you here in the near future.

If all goes as expected, I will publish regularly...

2009-04-07T18:45:00.000-07:00

here and in the Notary Digest, the quarterly publication of the American Association of Notaries. I will also assist with the monthly enewsletter which you can receive by signing up...for free.

This association has its corporate headquarters located in Texas but is a national association for notaries dedicated to notaries and signing agents.

If you write a blog for notaries, send me a link!

2009-04-07T18:28:00.000-07:00

Linking to your blog would be my pleasure.

I am still trying to figure out the Blogger-blogosphere tools which can be utilized with this blog but I know know (or I think I know) that exchanging links is a good thing. You can send your link in a comment or you can email me through the email you will find in my profile. I look forward to it. I intend to monitor the comments before allowing them to post so be patient. I will post it after checking out your blog site.

Alex, you (and your blog) amaze me...

2009-04-07T17:42:00.000-07:00

Alex Yvonnou is a Detroit, Michigan notary. Though I only know Alex through an email relationship, I consider him a friend and notary ally.

My first blog entry is to honor him because Alex is quite the blogging expert; he is someone I can learn so much from. Just take a peek at his blog, Detroit Notary, and you will see what I mean. Frankly, I'm jealous. I have never had that kind of talent--not the layout ability, nor the writing ability. If you have ever visited one of my websites you can quickly see the difference between a writing pro like Alex and my...um...er...attempts. I guess I could describe myself as a folksy writer. I write too personally and on a whim when the mood strikes me. Alex, in comparison, writes like a professional.

His blog is tight, insightful and one of the best on the web for notaries who want to keep up with the peripheral world of things relating to being a notary signing agent.

As I begin my endeavor with my new Texas Notary Publisher blog...well, Alex, I'll be watching you...and learning.