Preparing for Your First Loan Signing

Before the signing appointment: review the entire loan package (100–200 pages), identify all signature and notarization pages, prepare your notary journal with required information, charge your camera/phone for RON, and confirm your credentials are current and commission hasn't expired.

Essential items: notary commission certificate, notary seal/stamp, journal, blue and black pens, highlighter (to mark signature lines), ID verification checklist, your fee schedule, and copies of any forms you provide. Bring more supplies than you think you'll need.

Typical process: (1) verify signer identity, (2) review document quickly to confirm it matches the purpose, (3) guide signer through documents page-by-page, (4) mark all signature pages with sticky notes, (5) have signer sign all pages, (6) notarize the required pages, (7) make copies for the signer, (8) package and ship documents same-day.

Issues you may face: missing pages in the loan package, signer questions about the loan terms (don't give legal advice—refer to their lender), last-minute changes to the document, or signer confusion about which pages to sign. Stay calm, refer to your instructions, and contact the title company if issues arise.

Complete signing process: notify the title company/lender that signing is complete, ship documents overnight to the required address, keep copies for your records, follow up if the signer is missing items, and ask for a review on Snapdocs after the signing. First signings that go smoothly build momentum.