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Minnesota clarifies that NSAs must be licensed ‘Closing Agents’

NSAs in Minnesota must be licensed Closing Agents to continue offering closing services.

The NNA has learned that, according to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, most Notaries who take on loan-signing assignments are required to become licensed as a closing agent.

This situation came to light in recent weeks after a number of NSAs contacted the NNA Hotline when they received “2015 Mobile Notary Questionnaires” from the Department of Commerce, which regulates the state’s Notaries and real estate closing agents.

The Department submitted the questionnaire to mobile Notaries who listed themselves on 123Notary.com in an effort to identify and help correct issues for those who might be operating out of compliance with state law. The questionnaire specifically asked questions such as has the Notary “notarized any real estate or title document, and picked up, shipped, or otherwise handled any check or other form of payment which includes funds required to close a real property transaction.”

Closing Agent defined

Minnesota law defines a closing agent or real estate closing agent as follows: “Any person whether or not acting as an agent for a title insurance agent, a licensed attorney, real estate broker, or real estate salesperson, who for another and with or without a commission, fee, or other valuable consideration or with or without the intention or expectation of receiving a commission, fee, or other valuable consideration, directly or indirectly provides closing services incident to the sale, trade, lease, or loan of residential real estate, including drawing or assisting in drawing papers incident to the sale, trade, lease, or loan, or advertises or claims to be engaged in these activities.”

Just what constitutes “closing services” is not expressly explained in statute. However, in the view of the Department of Commerce, NSAs in the state need to be licensed because they often:

  • Charge or receive fees in excess of the per-notarization fee set forth in statute;
  • Explain documents to borrowers;
  • Receive trust funds (e.g., a check for closing costs); and
  • Advertise that they offer loan signing services.

State law lists the persons who are exempted from licensing, but the exemptions will not apply to most independent contractor NSAs.

Becoming a licensed Closing Agent

The solution for NSAs is to apply for a closing agent license in Minnesota.

To qualify, an applicant must take an eight-hour pre-licensing closing agent course approved by the Department and pay a $115 application fee and an additional processing fee charged by the online licensing system vendor, for a license expiring on June 30 every two years. You can visit their website for more information about closing agent licensing requirements.

The Department of Commerce emphasized to the NNA that it is taking a “light-handed approach” in sending out questionnaires and responding to Notaries.

The Department’s tactic is to ask Notaries who are performing closing services without a license to stop providing loan signing services or obtain a license before continuing to offer services as opposed to issuing consent orders to cease and desist.

However, the Department also emphasized that any Notary who fails to complete the questionnaire, or after taking the questionnaire fails to provide additional information to the Department within 10 days, could be subject to administrative action including, but not limited to, a maximum $10,000 civil penalty per violation.

28 Comments

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Melinda Plzak

12 Apr 2024

What should the notary title be on any notarized document when also a licensed closing agent? Closing Agent? Notary Public? Signing Agent?

National Notary Association

29 May 2024

The title “Notary Public” should be used on any document that is notarized. Any other document that is not being notarized, but being completed by a licensed closing agent, can use a different title.

Airika B

20 Dec 2022

I am looking into becoming a Notary and am now wondering with this rule do I need to get my Signing agent license as well or can I just get my basic notary and closing license without having to get the signing agent part.

National Notary Association

20 Dec 2022

Hello. Please see here for more information: https://www.nationalnotary.org/support/signing-agents/faqs

baocindy.fang@yahoo.com

02 Mar 2022

Do I need to complete the NSA Exam on the NNA website then? To become a signing agent in MN if I already have a closing agent license and my notary commission in MN?

National Notary Association

08 Apr 2022

Hello. The NNA's NSA exam is separate from Minnesota's closing agent license process. For more information on MN's closing agent license process, please go here: https://mn.gov/commerce/licensees/real-estate/renewals.jsp

Aaron Loechler

10 Sep 2021

Hi, I am a licensed Realtor in MN. Do I need to get a separate closing agent license, or does my current and active real estate license cover that requirement to be a NSA?

National Notary Association

29 Sep 2021

In Minnesota, Notaries who perform loan document signing services must be licensed closing agents as defined in MS 82.55(4). You will have to check with licensing issuer to see if a real estate license covers that requirements.

Bunleang Kors

15 Nov 2020

I live in Minnesota. I have a Notary Signing Agent Blueprint certification to work in the Professional Loan Signings. Can I work as a Notary Loan Signing Agent in MN?

National Notary Association

17 Nov 2020

Hello. If you wish to work as a Notary Signing Agent in Minnesota, are not currently a licensed Closing Agent, and are not exempted from closing agent licensing as described above, then you will need to apply for a closing agent license.

Dipak Rambharose

04 Nov 2020

I recently ordered and completed your package as an NSA. I live and operate as a Notary Signing Agent in the state of Minnesota. Do I need to become a Licensed Closing Agent here as well? Or did the training and certificate you provided suffice?

National Notary Association

10 Nov 2020

Hello. Becoming a Licensed Closing Agent is a separate process from the NNA's Signing Agent certification and training. As stated in the article, Notary Signing Agents in Minnesota must take an eight-hour pre-licensing closing agent course approved by the Department and pay a $115 application fee and an additional processing fee charged by the online licensing system vendor, for a license expiring on June 30 every two years.

Molly J

08 Jun 2018

Hi- In Minnesota can you be both a licensed MLO and real estate signing agent and practice each simultaneously (as long as the licensed mlo has no interest in transactions she’s signing for?) thanks!

National Notary Association

13 Jun 2018

Hello Molly. Please contact our Notary Hotline at 1-888-876-0827 or hotline@nationalnotary.org and one of our counselors can assist you with this question. Though our Hotline is primarily a benefit for NNA members, Notaries who are not NNA members may still contact the Hotline for complimentary assistance with one question.

Ivan Guardia

31 Oct 2016

I have a question on regards a loan modification documents notarized in MN thought the property is in California, I'm finding besides the Bank used the Wrong loan modification form,The name of the Authorized Person is not from the Bank.How I can have validate this document because I believe is Robo Sign Thanks for your attention.

National Notary Association

02 Nov 2016

Hello. If you suspect you are a victim of fraud, you contact local law enforcement or your state attorney general's office to report it.

Lisa McKearnin

09 Feb 2016

Would thus apply to NSAs that also hold a title producer license, which is much more involved?

National Notary Association

18 Feb 2016

Hello. You can check the list of exemptions at the following link for more information: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=82.641

Louis Lamannis

21 Jul 2015

Being that We are now being Licenced Mortgage Closers In MN, There is no reason to be a NSA. The Licence at the state level is a whole other ball game and trumps a lot of the requirments set up and instituted by the NNA. Also in MN the BCA does a background check automaticly before issuing a Notary Commission. And yes the fees have been lowered over the past 10 years and the NNA if on our side...should look at impossing regulations to make our fees more up to date.

National Notary Association

04 Aug 2015

Hello. Just to clarify, Minnesota does not automatically run a background check for all Notary commission applicants, only those that answer "Yes" to any of four questions on the signature page application form about past criminal, civil or disciplinary actions against the applicant.. For more information, please see the instructions on page 4 the "Notary Application" form at the MN SOS website: https://notary.sos.state.mn.us/

Velonda Thompson

21 Jul 2015

How many other states have this requirement?

National Notary Association

28 Jul 2015

Hello. Please see here for more information: http://www.nationalnotary.org/support/signing-agents/state-restrictions

Alan

20 Jul 2015

State must be broke to start scalping notaries.

Katherine Durant

20 Jul 2015

With the added expense of the closing agent, should the fee charge be increased.

DAve

20 Jul 2015

this is a pain in the butt.

Linda Mintey

20 Jul 2015

I almost seems like a conflict of interest. What will happen when client need notary out of state?

Teresa Burrell

16 Jul 2015

What effect, if any, does this have on loan signings for Minnesota properties that are handled by a notary outside of the state of Minnesota?

National Notary Association

20 Jul 2015

Hello. At this time, the state Dept. of Commerce has only discussed with the NNA the requirement of licensing as a closing agent as pertains to Minnesota Notaries. We have not encountered a statute or rule that extends the requirements to individuals other than Minnesota residents.

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