What is a Notary Signing Agent (NSA) Network?
An NSA Network is simply a group of independent NSA's that pool their marketing efforts, and promote the whole Network rather than simply promoting themselves, individually. This increases the exposure of each Network member exponentially! Every time a member presents their own information to a client, they include information about the Network.
One of the more well-known and perhaps one of the first NSA Networks was the birth child of Brenda Stone. Her Texas NSA Network (and her generosity in sharing ideas and information) paved the way for the many other state networks that followed.
What Rules or GuidelinesDo NSA Networks Follow?
Most NSA Networks are informally structured, not formally structured (as in a business entity or corporation, for example). They're generally formed by a small handful of independent NSA's who decide to put a Network together - and they will then establish their own specific criteria as to whom they will invite and/or accept into their group.
Since one of the distinct advantages of belonging to a Network is the marketability of that group as ‘hand-selected professionals', most network founders establish a pretty rigid set of criteria for the membership. This will include their own established guidelines for experience levels, required certifications or number of signings, and will also cover such things as what behaviors or ethical practices must be adhered to.
Most of these Network groups ban the practice of charging any type of fee when referring business to another member - which is another added value that is used to market the networks to potential clients. The number of members within any particular area is generally limited (to prevent over-saturation), but includes enough members to ensure to the client that they will always have someone to suit their needs.
Why Use an NSA Network?
First - Ease of Use, coupled with pre-screened NSA's. The Networks market by providing access to their membership's contact information (sometimes a printed roster, perhaps via a website, etc) and high-light the efforts that went into scrutinizing their credentials and/or expertise.
Second - The Bottom Line. Contracting an NSA directly and by-passing any third-party service is cheaper. Rather than paying someone else to select the NSA, it is generally considerably less costly to directly select them yourself.
Third - Working directly with the NSA will help to eliminate the headaches of miscommunication, and gives everyone direct & immediate contact with a person who's been verified to be highly professional. As we all know, the closing procedure is often fraught with such last minute needs for critical communication!
More Added Values to Using an NSA Network:
Network members work together, are in continual contact with each other and usually have periodic meetings to discuss current industry issues & changes. They are a combined unit having the same goal to provide the best possible services to their clients.
Because of the careful selection of the members, if one cannot complete the signing, they will confidently refer you to another member who upholds the same standards of professionalism.
What NSA Networks Don't Do:
There is generally no referral fees allowed between the members. They simply refer each other as a part of the commitment to the Network. Each individual member of a NSA Network is responsible for setting their own fees, are each contacted directly and hired directly by the clients.
Networks do not tolerate unethical or unprofessional behavior, and have their own set guidelines for resolving such issues. In an NSA Network, one member's actions are a reflection of the entire Network as a whole, and the absolute highest of standards is critical to their success.
What I hope to achieve is a little bit of education to the public and others on Wisconsin Notary Law and Procedure. I have been a Wisconsin Notary for over 5 years and take great pride in knowing the law. I feel it is important as I am commissioned by the State of Wisconsin to be a public official. There are responsibilities that a Notary needs to know in order to effectively perform their duties. In these blogs I will be quoting from our Wisconsin Notary Pamphlet along with education I have received from organizations such as the American Society of Notaries of which I am a proud member. Other information might be situations I have encountered and not being able to directly find the answers in our pamphlet, I have contacted our Secretary of State to get the answer.
Lets start with what is a Wisconsin Notary? Quoted from our Notary Pamphlet
"A Notary Public is an individual issued by appointment by the Governor or Secretary of State to serve the public as an impartial witness, performing notarial acts as are allowed or required by law"
Notarial Acts for the Wisconsin Notary are:
Parts of the Notary Act are:
My notes: In the State of Wisconsin, we are not required to keep a Notary Journal. A Notary Journal is a record of all Notarial Events that a Notary performs. I do keep one as I do many Notarizations and feel it is important should the Notarization ever become a legal issue.
To positively ID someone, the ID method should not be expired, should be readable, with a picture of the person, birth-date, and a signature. Our statutes do not define exactly what forms of ID to use.
ID's I use are:
It is a necessary component to a Notarial Act.
The Notarial Certificate is the attestation of the Notarys Act that has been performed. This attestation is prima facia evidence in a court of law.
Our Wisconsin Notary Brochure dictates:
Statute 706.07(7) Certificate of Notarial Acts
(a)A Notarial Act must be evidenced by a certificate signed and dated by a Notarial Officer. A certificate of a Notarial Act is sufficient if it meets these requirements: 1. Identification of the jurisdiction in which the Notarial Act is performed(the venue) 2. Title of the office of the Notarial Officer 3. May include the official stamp or seal of office 4. If the officer is a Notary Public the certificate must also indicate the date of expiration 5. Sets forth the actions of the Notarial Officer and these are sufficient to meet the requirements of the designated Notarial Act
My Notes: To merely put your seal and signature on a document as evidence of a Notarial Act is not proper or professional procedure for a Notary Act. The official act of the Notarization should be evidenced within the Notarial Certificate and is equally important as signing and stamping the document that requires the Notarization.
If you are a Notary for the State of Wisconsin and have questions on Notarial Procedure, please call our Secretary of States office. They are very helpful and want all Notaries from the State of Wisconsin to perform their position as an Officer of the State correctly.
Lisa Kimmel Owner
Central Wisconsin Notary
