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Providing notarial services is not just about business deals and handshakes. Often, a notary public is needed at someone’s home or in a hospital room when tough decisions must be made or when following up on traumatic events. I have mentioned before in previous blog posts about some unique signing locations and uncomfortable pet pressure. But because the notary public takes an oath to serve the people, you will undoubtedly run into interesting characters and captive audiences when your signings are taking place.
People are most particular about their homes, but many small family businesses may have the same opinion about their offices or places of business. An observant notary public will sense the vibe of the people you are serving and act in the utmost professional manner.
Even if it really is your own personal style to be California casual, having an overly relaxed attitude or attire while performing notarial services can give your client the wrong feeling, making you seem not professional enough for the situation and leading some to question your authority, credibility, or even the legitimacy of the documents you are processing.
When meeting new clients or customers, it’s better to be more conservative than casual. Especially when notary signing agents in the field don’t select the appointment location 99% of the time. The environment you walk into is always open to interpretation. Because you meet so many different types of folks from all walks of life, I highly recommend attire that is modest and professional with as little skin showing as possible.
Since notarization is a legal act, you want that to come across in your attire and attitude. Revealing clothing is not only unprofessional but can also be deemed unsafe for the workplace. As a representative of the California Secretary of State, you are truly an ambassador, and your role should make clients feel respected and welcome. Another tip is that when people are more likely to share their personal or political stances in all aspects of their lives and work, the best course of action is to refrain from engaging in particularly personal or political discussions during a signing appointment. Your job is to create a comfortable and professional environment for all signing participants.
As I mentioned in my April 2024 blog post, locations for your notary appointment can vary wildly. Busy people might have to squeeze in their signing between their appointments or family commitments. That can leave you scrambling all over town. I’ve talked before about unusual signing locations, such as outdoor settings, that require special tools to facilitate signing.
But with unique locations come other surprises, such as distractive noises, inclement weather, pets, and participants that might insert themselves into a signing transaction they are not part of. Be sure to communicate to your signers, in a friendly manner, that this is a private matter and that, during this brief appointment, a little privacy and quiet would be appreciated.
Sometimes having a “helper” nearby for signers who may have a health condition is actually a great benefit, so long as the signer is comfortable with this witness to the signing process. True story – I had a signer who had a chronic health condition, and while signing the paperwork, I nearly had to call paramedics when the signer seemed to have a medical emergency right there at the signing table.
I was not aware that anyone else was in the home, but I did yell out for help just in case before I started dialing 911. I was very thankful that the signer’s adult child was upstairs and could come down to assist the signer. It might be a good idea to renew my CPR certification in case this happens again. Another true story – I had a signer request to meet at a local park for their document signing, and we were down to the last few pages when a swarm of bees started to get busy around us.
A notary can never leave their documents behind, so we needed to act fast to ensure both the signer and I were safe from stings, and I was thankful to be wearing long sleeves, trousers, and closed-toed shoes. We retreated to our own cars while the swarm slowly passed over, and we were able to resume the appointment. Being prepared for all that California and its people have to offer will set you up for success at your signing.
State-approved California notary classes are essential for individuals who need to become a notary public in California or renew their notary commission. Classes for notaries public are designed to provide the knowledge and skills required to perform notarial acts in compliance with California Law and regulations. Before choosing a notary class, make sure that the […]
Becoming a notary public can provide a valuable professional credential, create opportunities for additional income, and allow you to offer an important service within your community. However, the process is not the same in every state. If you want to become a notary public in California, you will need to complete approved education, pass a […]
Notaries public need notary supplies to perform their professional duties on the regular basis. Not only are notary supplies helpful to ensure the authenticity and legality of the notarized documents, but they’re also necessary to meet the state law requirements that apply to notaries public. In California, there are both mandatory and optional notary public […]