We recently received a message from a notary after a signing asking us to increase her fee. She told us the appointment had been a very difficult experience, but she never actually explained what happened during the signing or what additional circumstances would justify an increased fee. Instead, part of the request was based on something she noticed in the settlement statement: The buyer was being charged a $250 closing fee. This is something I think is important for signing agents to understand. A fee you see listed on the settlement statement does not automatically represent what the signing service is being paid for the assignment. Depending on the transaction, that line item may represent different services or costs. Sometimes it may be a split signing, or the title company may charge the client a different amount, and the amount shown may not even be the amount ultimately paid to the signing service. And even when a signing service is being paid from a closing-related fee, the signing service still has its own expenses, including paying the notary. Now, if something truly unusual happens, a significantly extended appointment, unexpected requirements, additional travel, or another circumstance that changes the scope of the assignment, tell us what happened. We can have that conversation. But requesting an increase simply because you saw a higher number on the settlement statement is a different situation. The documents at the signing table aren’t a window into the signing service’s profit on the order. 💬 Have you ever seen a fee in a closing package and wondered exactly what it covered?

Hello, community 👋 I'd like to share a reflection that many of us have probably experienced as Loan Signing Agents. We prepare every appointment in advance: we review the package, print the documents, confirm the address, plan our route, and leave with plenty of time. Even so, things happen in the field that are beyond our control: 🌀 Storms, heavy rain, or hurricane warnings 🚧 Flooding, road closures, or accidents ⚡ Power or signal outages ⚠️ Conditions that put our safety, or the signer's, at risk When this happens, a professional agent notifies the team right away. That notice is not an excuse; it's a sign of responsibility and respect for the closing, the client, and the title company. With all due respect and appreciation for the work signing service teams do from the office, it would be very helpful to: ✅ Trust what we report from the field. ✅ Evaluate each case fairly, based on the actual circumstances. ✅ Remember that a delay caused by natural events doesn't reflect a lack of commitment. The office and the field are one team, and with clear communication and mutual trust, we all win. 🤝 💬 My question for you: Have you faced a situation like this? How did you handle it with the signing service? Your experiences can help other colleagues.

I want to share a real situation because it’s a perfect example of how the tone of an email can affect the way a client sees you. A notary was waiting for documents for a 10:00 AM signing the following morning. The documents were running later than expected, and the notary emailed letting us know that if the documents were not received by 8:00 AM, the assignment would need to be returned. There is absolutely nothing wrong with communicating a deadline. Notaries need enough time to download, print, prepare, and travel to an appointment. The issue wasn’t the deadline. It was how it was communicated. When the documents still weren’t available, another message followed emphasizing that the deadline “stands.” The title company saw the exchange, and their concern quickly shifted from the documents to the notary’s tone and attitude. They specifically asked us to make sure the notary approached the appointment with a professional, patient, and pleasant attitude because the signer was an elderly woman, and they did not want her to feel uncomfortable, rushed, or pressured. Think about that for a moment. Before the notary had even met the signer, the client was already concerned about the experience she might have with him. That’s why written communication matters so much. You can communicate the exact same boundary in a completely different way: “I’m happy to accommodate the appointment. In order to have enough time to print and prepare the documents and arrive by 10:00 AM, I would need to receive them by approximately 8:00 AM. If they’re not available by then, please let me know how you would like me to proceed.” Same message. Same deadline. Completely different impression. Your emails and texts are part of your professionalism too. The person reading them may be deciding whether they feel comfortable sending you to represent their company in front of a client. Sometimes it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. 💬 Have you ever reread a message before sending it and realized the tone sounded different from what you intended?

Yesterday, a notary asked us a good question about a document that required a witness. The document had a space for the witness’s signature and address, and the question was: Should the witness enter their own address or the address where the signing is taking place? The answer: the witness’s actual physical address. The address field is there to help identify the person who served as the witness. It is not asking for the signing location. And one important detail: a P.O. Box is not a physical address. If the document requests the witness’s address, the witness should provide their actual physical/residential address rather than a P.O. Box. For Florida notaries who regularly handle documents requiring witnesses, this may feel very familiar. But notaries working in states where witnesses are rarely required may not encounter these fields very often, and it’s completely reasonable to ask rather than guess. So when you see: Witness Signature Print Name Address Think of all three as information identifying that witness. And when something on a document isn’t clear, ask before assuming. A quick question can prevent a correction later. 💙 💬 For those of you outside Florida, how often do you receive documents that require witnesses?

Hi community! I’m Massiel, scheduler at TCSS. As you know, we cover every state across the US and every province in Canada, scheduling closings for signers from all walks of life. That’s why we get so excited when our notary partners speak Spanish or other languages: it not only unlocks more assignment opportunities for you and gives you a huge edge in remote areas where coverage can be tough, but it also leaves title companies, lenders, and signers thrilled with a smooth, stress-free experience. Thank you for helping us deliver top-tier service without language barriers! If you speak Spanish or another language, drop a comment below so we make sure you are in our system for future orders!!