I wanted take a minute to address COVID-19 as a Mobile Notary and Loan Singing Agent. In my capacity, it is my JOB to meet a signer IN PERSON to witness their signature(s) on important legal and real estate documents. With that said, I am taking every precaution possible to keep my clients and myself safe and adhere to the social distancing recommendations.
The health and safety of borrowers and signers is my top priority and each signing will be evaluated and handled on a case-by-case basis. To that end, here are the precautions I am taking. Please note that most of these were taken from the National Notary Association and other trusted notary resources.
I will connect with borrowers and signers before the appointment to assure them that I am not sick, have not traveled outside the US recently and have not been in contact with anyone who is sick. And also to ensure they are not sick, recently traveled outside the US, or have been in contact with someone who is sick. I will also ask that they clean and disinfect the table we will be doing the signing on beforehand.
It is my suggestion that we do the signing outside, if possible; however, we will need a table to do the signing on
Per my usual practice, I wash my hands before handling their loan packages, documents and my notary supplies.
I will wear a mask and gloves to all signings and ask that borrowers practice same for both our safety. Mask is required, gloves are optional.
Upon arrival, I will abstain from shaking hands with the borrower or signer but instead thank them for their time and let them know I am practicing social distancing recommendations.
I will then use anti-bacterial wipes to wipe down my notary supplies as I retrieve them from my bag and lay them out for use during the signing. If borrowers are not wearing gloves, I will ask that they wash their hands prior to the signing.
I am required by law to confirm each and every signers identity using their driver's license, state ID or other acceptable form of identification. I will ask the signer to put the ID in front of me so I can see it, confirm it is them, and record it in my journal. Some signers have opted to use clear ziploc bags, please ensure I can see both sides of your ID.
I have purchased a few new boxes of pens, I will offer them their own new pen to sign with and I will use my own new one as well, which can be discarded or disinfected afterwards.
During the signing I will sit across the table from the signer(s) to ensure there is as much distance between us as possible.
Once the signing is complete, I will have the signer(s) sign my journal and offer their thumbprint. Since all signers are required to touch the inkpad, I will ask each signer to wash their hands or wipe their fingers with a disinfecting wipe before pressing their thumb into the ink. This will ensure my inkpad is clean for all future signings.
I will use hand sanitizer or wash my hands once all documents and my notary supplies are safely locked away.
Lastly, I will clean and disinfect my vehicle frequently and between signings to include my vehicle's keys, door handles, doors, steering wheel, controls and drink holders.
California does not offer an option for virtual notarizations, so I am committed to ensuring the safety of my clients, their families, myself and my family by strictly following these guidelines while also providing the services I took an oath to perform.
The Center For Disease Control and Prevention reports that the coronavirus is mainly spread from person-to-person via coughing and sneezing. It might be possible to contract COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, but that is not believed to be the main method by which it spreads. To reduce the risk of being exposed during assignments, the CDC recommends everyone take the following precautions:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. You should wash your hands before eating, using the restroom or after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
If you do not have access to soap and water, wash your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60%-90% alcohol.
Please stay safe, be responsible and practice social distancing, as recommended. Wishing you all health, success and all the best!
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