Below are some examples of common errors which can cause documents to be returned to you for resigning at your expense. Please review these items carefully.

INCORRECT SIGNATURES: All the documents must be signed exactly as the names appear on them. The full signature must be consistent throughout the package, even if there is no name typed under the signature line. The rule of thumb is, over signing a name is better than under signing a name, but keep it consistent. If the documents are drawn with a middle initial, make sure they are signed that way.

If the documents are drawn under a Trust, all signatures must be signed as typed followed by the word trustee. Example: John E Doe, Trustee.

For a document being signed by Power of Attorney, an example would be, Susan A. Smith is signing for John A. Smith by Power of Attorney. She will sign her name as indicated on the documents, then where his name appears she will sign John A. Smith by Susan A. Smith, his attorney in fact. The initials would be JAS by SAS.

If you are not sure how the documents should be signed, please call for instructions.

MISSING SIGNATURES, INITIALS OR INFORMATION: Be sure to double check all documents carefully before leaving the customer. Most documents will be marked clearly, but some will not. It is your responsibility to ensure all signatures, initials and requested information has been obtained. If the documents are not marked, please look at the signature lines carefully. Do not just have them sign everywhere their names appear. In a few cases a signature would not be applicable. Taking the time to ensure the documents are signed correctly the first time will, in most cases, prevent a call back to resign at the signing agent’s expense.

INCOMPLETE OR MISSING NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: This can be a big problem, causing serious delays. Double check you’ve completed your notary acknowledgements correctly and that your stamp is clear and legible. A document with an illegible stamp cannot be recorded. If you make a mistake while completing an acknowledgement, simply cross out and correct it, initialing the correction. If your stamp is unclear, stamp it again if there is room, or attach another notary acknowledgement. You should have extra acknowledgments with you at all times. If a document needs to be notarized and there is no room or the space on the form has already been used, simply attach a separate completed acknowledgment.

SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT: This is the most common document that doesn’t get notarized. This is missed because the lender either signs it first using the preprinted acknowledgment or there is no notary acknowledgment place on the form. In both of these cases, you must attach your own notary acknowledgment to the Subordination Agreement.

This document needs to be recorded.

All documents which need to be recorded must be signed and notarized. For example, Grant Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Subordinations, etc.

NOTICE OF RIGHT TO CANCEL - DATED INCORRECTLY: Please make sure the applicable dates are completed on the Notice of Right to Cancel correctly.

1) The date of the transaction – The day the documents are being signed

2) The date the rescission expires – midnight, 3 business days from the day they sign, including Saturdays, excluding Sundays or Holidays. You may always refer to our web site for rescission expiration dates.

3) The date next to their signatures – The day they are signing

4) The date on the Notice of Non-Rescission or Confirmation Certificate – The day after the rescission expires.

If there are pre-printed dates that are incorrect, you can single line through them and write the correct dates. Make sure to have the borrowers initial the changes.

If you need further instructions or samples, please contact our office.

NOTE:

Never use white-out on any documents!

To make a correction, cross out the incorrect information with a single line and put in the correct information. Always initial any corrections or changes made.

Always check the dates on the documents. They can never be signed before they are dated. They can be signed after, but not before.