In 2017, I was working as an administrative assistant for an office of attorneys. My interest in the notary field began when I closed on my own home. The signing process made me want to become a notary. I started studying on my daily commutes and soon discovered the National Notary Association, which allowed me to network with other notaries locally and nationwide. Shortly thereafter, I transitioned to conducting closings on a full-time basis.
The most rewarding aspect of this profession is that I help provide a stress-free experience during one of the biggest financial transactions of a person’s lifetime. The American dream of homeownership is still possible with hard work and determination and, as a notary, I get to be a part of that moment in peoples’ lives.
The pandemic was a time when you had to get creative with closings. To illustrate this point, one situation comes to mind. It was the middle of winter and because the pandemic prevented us from meeting in person, I was on a speaker phone with a couple even though I was just down the hill from their house. After I explained the documents, the only thing left was to get their signatures. So, I walked up the hill to their house, placed the documents by their front door, and stepped back. They opened the door and took the documents inside. Once they had signed them, they placed the documents back outside. I retrieved them and returned home to conduct my final review. While doing so I noticed a signature was missing, so I went back out into the cold and walked up the hill to their house to get that last signature. When the paperwork was completed, the couple said they were very appreciative that I took the time to walk them through the process via phone, come to their house, and wait outside in the cold while they signed.
Every day I strive for perfectly signed and dated documents, a scanner that works as expected, and no traffic delays. However, challenges can, and will, present themselves. Meeting them head-on while presenting myself transparently to my clients and colleagues is what it means to be a professional.