"...e-notarization does not seem to be a threat to their livelihoods ... The only difference is that there are no paper documents at the closing table. In fact, a number of notary signing agents are looking forward to performing the paperless transactions."
My personal opinion: The signing agents looking forward to this are a little slow on the uptake. In most states, the fee for an Enotarization is THE SAME as for a paper notarization or only a minimal amount higher; $5 per notarization in Connecticut plus a maximum of 35 cents per mile for travel. The companies want the Enotary to travel to the borrower with the laptop, signature pad, software and licensing agreements (including fees for same plus annual licensing fees) and "notarize the signatures" on the Edocuments. There's also the discussion/issue of the notary (NOT the lender or title company) being personally liable for the security of the Edocuments (receipt, transmittal after signature, etc.). Unless the lender or title company is willing to pay the notary for "extra services" (like what: no printing, no "courier" services), an Enotarization at the borrowers' home at Connecticut's maximum rates is less than profitable. Just calculating the number of notarizations required to pay for the initial start-up costs is mind-numbing.
Stewart Title has successfully completed three paperless Esignings with Enotarizations IN ITS TITLE COMPANY OFFICE. My guess is the paperless loan closings will be held at local title company offices, who can afford the costs of the equipment, software, licensing fees, security, etc. as part of their entire "closing fee." The Stewart Title article was interesting because the borrowers read the documents BEFORE they came to the closing, which means both title company and lender cooperated to have the loan document package and available for the borrower to read online at least a full day before. The lenders and title companies are not doing that now for notary signing agents, what makes anyone think they will do this in the future?
Grey hair and bifocals showing: I am not that trusting that a stranger comes to my home, states, here's your $250,000 residendial 120 page refinance loan document package on this 14" laptop screen, sign and initial on the pad, your signature and initials will automatically be placed everywhere needed on each document, in a few hours you can go online, access a copy of what you signed, print out a copy, and read it. Now how does an old geezete (female geezer) KNOW that what I access later is really what I signed ... and what if after I read it I decide I don't want to sign that title affidavit or want to change something [correct an error]? I am not against Esignings. I just don't see where a "notary public" can make a profit at it. Notaries technically don't make a large profit on a notarization. Further, most of the state legislators that passed Enotarization did not raise the notarization fees to cover the costs of this technology (bad for re-election business).
to post a reply:
login - or -
register