Your real estate closing is one of the most important financial transactions of your life — and choosing the wrong notary can lead to delays, rejected documents, or even fraud.
That’s why it’s essential to verify your notary before signing anything. Whether you’re working with an online notary, a mobile notary, or someone provided by your title company, here’s how to make sure they’re legitimate, experienced, and properly commissioned for real estate work.
1. Check the Notary’s Commission Status
Every notary in the U.S. must be officially commissioned by their state. You can verify this instantly by checking your state’s notary database.
How to verify:
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Visit your state’s Secretary of State Notary Search
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Enter the notary’s:
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Full name
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Commission number (if provided)
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County or city
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Confirm:
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Commission is active
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Exact spelling of name matches
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Expiration date is valid
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💡 If the notary cannot provide their commission number or refuses to share it, that’s a red flag.
2. Ask for a Photo of the Notary’s Commission Certificate
A legitimate notary will gladly provide:
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State-issued commission certificate
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Notary ID card (if applicable)
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Proof of E&O insurance
Review the certificate for:
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State seal
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Notary’s full legal name
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Commission number
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Commission expiration date
Never rely on verbal claims alone — always confirm documentation.
3. Verify That the Notary Is “Real Estate Certified” (or Experienced)
Real estate closings require special expertise, including knowledge of:
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Deeds
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Mortgages
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Affidavits
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Loan packets
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Witness requirements
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Title and lender-specific forms
Ask the notary:
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“How many real estate closings have you completed?”
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“Are you certified or trained in loan signings?”
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“Do you work with title companies regularly?”
If they hesitate or sound unsure, consider another notary.
4. Check for E&O (Errors & Omissions) Insurance
For real estate closings, notaries should carry E&O insurance — this protects you if the notary makes a mistake that causes delays or financial loss.
Recommended coverage:
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$25,000–$1,000,000, depending on the state and transaction size
If the notary does not carry E&O, choose one who does.
5. Review Their Online Presence or Professional Listings
Look for:
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Verified business website
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Google Business profile
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Reviews from real clients
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LinkedIn presence
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Membership in notary associations
Signs of legitimacy include:
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Consistent branding
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Professional communication
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Real reviews
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Recent activity
Red flags include:
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No online presence
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Fake testimonials
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Unverified business information
6. Watch Out for Common Red Flags
You should avoid a notary who:
❌ Won’t share commission information
❌ Has an expired commission
❌ Doesn’t know how real estate closings work
❌ Won’t show ID or proof of training
❌ Has no track record or reviews
❌ Requests unusual payment methods
❌ Asks you to sign before the appointment
A legitimate real estate notary is always transparent.
7. Ask Your Title Company or Lender for Confirmation (Optional)
If your notary was assigned by a title company, you can ask:
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“Is this notary approved by your office?”
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“Have they closed transactions with you before?”
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“Are they licensed for RON or mobile signings?”
Title offices usually maintain an approved list of trusted notaries.
8. Verifying Online Notaries (RON)
If using a Remote Online Notary, confirm they:
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Are commissioned in a RON-authorized state
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Use an approved RON platform
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Provide identity verification
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Conduct video recording
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Offer encrypted, tamper-evident documents
Examples of approved RON providers:
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Notarize
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OneNotary
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BlueNotary
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DocVerify
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Nexsys Clear Sign
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SIGNiX
If the platform does not offer secure ID checks and video recording, it is not a legal RON session.
Final Thoughts
Verifying your notary is one of the smartest steps you can take before a real estate closing. A professional, certified notary helps ensure your documents are:
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Signed correctly
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Notarized legally
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Accepted by lenders and county recorders
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Protected against fraud
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Completed on time
At Looking Glass Runners Notary, we provide fully verified, trained, and insured notaries — available in person, mobile, and online nationwide — for stress-free real estate closings.
