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Signing Agent Question: ‘Why Do I Need Another Background Check If The State Already Screened Me?’

Notary Signing Agent background check

It’s a question Notary Signing Agents often ask: “Why do I need a separate background check if the state ran one when I became a Notary?”

Simply put, companies that use the services of NSAs don’t have access to the results of state background checks; state screenings aren’t rigorous enough; and the mortgage industry needs more frequent background checks.

State background check results are only available to state officials.

In California, for example, NSAs undergo a state background check every four years as part of their commissioning process. But only state officials see the results. They are not available to lenders, title companies and other businesses in the mortgage industry that use the services of NSAs.

Yet federal regulators, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), require lenders to be able to prove that they have properly vetted third party contractors — including NSAs — who handle the non-public personal information of borrowers. Without having access to the results of NSAs’ background screening, lenders won’t be able to comply with federal requirements.

State background checks are not rigorous enough for the mortgage industry.  

State Notary background checks usually only screen for convictions that would disqualify the applicant from receiving a commission. However, NSAs are unique in that they have unsupervised access to borrowers’ non-public personal information, they travel by car to the signing location and they meet with borrowers in their homes. So, lenders and title companies apply stricter standards. Consequently, their background screening requirements for Signing Agents include screening for misdemeanor crimes and infractions as well as felonies.

Lenders need more frequent background checks.

State Notary background checks are typically only made when someone applies for or renews their commission — every four years in California and Oregon, for example. If a Notary is convicted of a serious crime before then, lenders need to know in order to comply with federal regulations. In addition, a conviction does not automatically cause the Notary to lose their commission. That process can take months or longer.

But companies must be able to show that any NSAs they work with comply with federal privacy and data security regulations, so many require NSAs to have a screening that is no more than 12 months old.

A Final Note: Most states do not run background checks for Notary applicants.

Many people assume that every Notary goes through a background check as part of their commission application process. That is not true. Only a few states check the backgrounds of all their Notary applicants. Several other states only run a background check if an individual acknowledges on their application that they have a criminal record.

David Thun is an Associate Editor at the National Notary Association.

Additional Resources:

Signing Agent Background Screening Process

Background Screening Quick Facts

Signing Agent Certification

 

6 Comments

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hbmmdee@gmail.com

20 Oct 2023

Do I need a new background check after one year? I only see the option for an entire package.can someone help me out?

National Notary Association

18 Dec 2023

Hello. The NNA’s Notary Signing Agent Certification is effective for one year. Lenders and title companies typically require background screenings be performed annually. They want screenings no more than one year old at the time of loan signings. Your Certification date is the date your background screening was completed. Renewing NSAs should know the screening takes 5-15 days, and they should begin the renewal prior to the one-year term to avoid a gap in Certification.

gloriasnells@gmail.com

10 Sep 2023

I just need to renew my background screen but it's making me purchase the exam too and I dont need that or anything else can someone direct me on how to do that

National Notary Association

11 Sep 2023

Hello. Please contact our Customer Care team at services@nationalnotary.org to request assistance.

Marion Francis Sylvester Jr

03 Oct 2016

My state (IN.) background ck. was conducted by Indpls. Metropolitan Police Dept. as a REQUIREMENT to be employed and teach in the Indianapolis Public School System. I am sure that it was and is as extensive as any background by anybody short of A-1 security by the US Govt. I feel like I'm being ripped off.

Kelly Clark

03 Oct 2016

Don't use NNA for your required annual background check. Been waiting over a month for it to clear. Sterling Systems did it in less than week. And it's cheaper

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