Are you tired of the hassle and inconvenience of in-person notarization? Does putting on pants really get you down? Is the thought of listening to another True Crime Podcast as you drive between signings making you sympathize with those serial killers a little more each time? Are you ready to join the 21st century and get with the times? Look no further, my friend, because Remote Online Notarization (RON) is here to save the day! But before you can start notarizing documents from the comfort of your own home, you have to set up your RON system. And let me tell you, it's not for the faint of heart. While it may feel like trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle blindfolded with one hand tied behind your back, don't worry, we're here at Notary Stars to guide you through the process and make it as painless as possible. Or at least, as painless as getting a root canal. First up, you'll have to choose a RON platform. This can be a challenging task as there are many options available in the market. It's important to compare different RON platforms, evaluate their features and capabilities, and select the one(s) that best suit(s) your organization's needs and requirements (In many instances, it will be necessary to have several at your disposal as your business grows). When comparing different platforms, consider factors such as e-signature and document management capabilities, video conferencing and identity verification features, compliance and security measures, and ease of use for both the signers and the Notary. Additionally, you should also evaluate the pricing, user reviews and ratings, and support and customer service availability of the different platforms. By thoroughly vetting the options (sussing out the duds) and selecting the best platform(s) for your organization, you can go a long way toward ensuring a smooth and efficient process when conducting notarial transactions remotely. Once you've chosen your platform, it's time to gather all the necessary equipment and technology to set up your RON system. This includes a computer, webcam, microphone, and internet connection. Basically, all the things you likely already have. While you can do Remote Notary from your laptop, you will find it’s much more efficient and simpler to do with a desktop computer, monitors (dual monitors are a definite plus, but not a necessity), mouse, keyboard, and a good working headset with a boom mic is nice, but not an absolute must-have. Finally, you'll need to create a secure and professional online workspace, both physically and electronically. A quiet room without extraneous noise and interruptions is the best choice. Somewhere away from kids, loud TVs, or needy fur babies. Electronically, you want to be sure that your WiFi is secure, your computer is password protected and each of the sites you use is also password protected (preferably with 2-step authentication). And make sure your online environment (the space behind you that the camera sees) is professional and efficient because no one wants to work with a slob. Now, you might be thinking, "But wait, what about compliance and legal requirements for RON?" Don't worry, we have a whole website, weekly classes, and instructors on Notary Stars that are experts in the field to cover you on that front. Just make sure to follow the regulations of your state and you'll be good to go. And if you're ever unsure, just remember the golden rule of RON: When in doubt, consult a lawyer. Or if you have TONS of free time on your hands, contact your Secretary of State. In conclusion, setting up a RON system can be a bit of a pain, but with the right tools and guidance, you'll be able to notarize documents online like a pro. Or at least, like a person who can follow instructions. So go forth and conquer the world of RON, and never again will you have to put on real pants and leave your house for a notarization. Happy notarizing! Get listed on Online Notaries Public to draw in more Remote Online Notary Clients:

The selection of a Remote Online Notarization (RON) platform is daunting, and more in-depth than what many New RON Notaries really understand as they strike out into this new venture. We all see the posts on social media “Which RON Platform is the Best”, and you get a wide variety of answers. I'm here to tell you right now ALL RON platforms work to complete the session in a legal manner. However, not all platforms will work with your business goals. This is where they are all very different. Now you are reading this, and if you know who I am you are thinking “she is going to sell her platform”; but I am NOT going to do that. This article was not written to make any sales, but to empower you to really start your foundation with online notarization off on a better foot than I had when I started my path. In fact, as I built my platform, I found out many different things about software systems (yes even I didn't know it all when I started this) and this different perspective is something that you will only hear from those Ronnie's that have been in the industry and failed many times. Before I get into the “extra” things you need to think about, I want to cover the legal aspects of picking a platform. If your state (and not every state does this) requires you to use a pre-approved platform; limit your search to those on this list. However, if your state does not limit your choice, you should review a state which does have an approved list and has the same RON Laws as you as a guide. There are currently over 60 RON Platforms operating in the USA today, tomorrow there might be more. This will be very overwhelming if you don’t have a short list to start with up front! These are the top ten questions I wish I had asked myself before spending $7,000 for a RON Platform, which I only used for 3 months!!!! Yes, you read that correctly – I was paying a monthly fee, and credit fees for my work which totaled $7K for the first three months of 2021! Now the devil is in the details: Do you plan to use RON for Real Estate work? If yes, you want a MISMO Certified Platform Will you be working with clients who may not have access to a USA Based Smart Phone? Google Voice or other VOIP phone numbers will not work If yes, then you want to make sure the RON Platform doesn’t require this for transmission of the ID verification links. Will you be working with clients who may not have a social security number? If yes, then you want a platform that pulls the Knowledge Based Authentication (KBA) questions another way and does not require the clients to have a social security number. Will you be working with clients who will be in different locations? If yes, then you want a platform that supports this type of connection. Will your clients have limited understanding of the English language? If yes, then you want a platform that will translate their KBA Questions to their primary language. i. No, I am not saying it translates the documents, but if you click on the internet browser and have that translate the page – does it translate the quiz questions of this process, because if it doesn’t then your client runs a higher risk of failing just because they may not understand the question they are reading. Will your clients have other impairments? Does the platform work with those that are blind? If yes (or maybe), Can the automated system read the page to them? Will your clients have both a Laptop and a Smart Phone? Some platforms require both devices. If you think they may only have a Smart Phone, then you need to pick a platform which supports this. Are you able to use a Credible Witness via RON (not all states can), if so, will your platform allow you to enter the required legal statement for the reason of not performing the automatic verification of your signer? Many platforms only allow you to select “personally known” in this instance, the signer is NOT personally known to you! When using a credible witness your journal should reflect a statement of “Oath of Credible Witness Jane Doe”. Now, we get into the aspects for YOU the notary in the question line up! These are the questions you do see every day on Facebook. Which type of platform do you want to have? Independent – you bring all the customers in, and the platform gives you no work. Dependent – the platform supplies all the clients; you cannot do your own work on their system. Hybrid – You can bring your own, and you might be able to work from the platform too. Will you be performing transactions in “off hours”? Most RON notaries work at night – does your prospective platform offer “off hours” support? If you are still reading you will see there is a lot more than your financial investment that goes into the selection of a RON Platform. You may be limiting your future income if you are unable to service your client base due to the limitations of the platform which you selected. After you have determined the technology needed to focus on your specific client base, this is when you start looking at what the cost is. Initial investment, Monthly payments, and Transaction fees to determine exactly which platform will provide you with the best return on your investment. Finally, now you look at your state laws for your ID Proofing methods. Are you able to use biometrics or digital certificate verification of a signer as a means of ID Proofing? If so, then you should use a platform which gives you the most options to validate your client. When you have narrowed your business plan with the area where you plan to advertise to obtain clients, and you have found the software that gives you the most for your money you will find that every single RON notary will have a different platform which is the “best”. Therefore, I say Selecting a RON platform is like buying shoes. I might have a pair that is perfect! Provides the right arch support, plenty of room for my toes, and after 8 hours on my feet – they don’t hurt! But I tell you that these shoes are the bomb, and you purchase the same brand only to find out that your toes are pinched, and the arch support is too high and causes you to feel pain within just a couple of hours. Everyone is different, your business goals are only known to you. Don’t just select a platform based on what others say – do your own research!

There is a lot of talk lately about Notary embossers. Can I use an embosser in addition to my ink stamp to prevent fraud? Can I use it apart from or instead of my ink stamp? And many more questions. Originally, Notaries used wax seals with symbols stamped into them in lieu of signatures - now we often see the term 'seal' on signature lines. In later centuries, ribbons were woven into holes placed in the margins of multi-page documents to tie the pages together. And then those wax seals were placed over the ribbon knots to ensure no page swapping occurred. Wax seals were eventually replaced with the embosser. Embossers were heavy-duty desk equipment and couldn't be easily carried around like we do today. It is a round seal made to crimp paper so that a raised imprint of the Notary's name appears. Those embossers were used to mark all the pages of a document at the same time...10-pages placed in between the plates and a colossal feat of strength was needed to complete the embossment. Embossers used to be the only official type of seal in use until it became important to be able to see the actual seal on a photo copy or scanned version of the document. So the imprint was darkened by shading with a pencil or a special ink pad that is lightly pressed against the impression. Some states still use embossers as long as the impression has been darkened or is accompanied by an ink seal. Washington DC comes to mind as they require an inked embosser. Today approximately 30-states can use embossers along with a rubber ink stamp. Having an embosser in your tool kit can be a smart business decision for any Notary as some foreign recipients will reject documents from the US when only an ink-stamp is used. Foreign recipients may believe that the documents have not been properly notarized unless they have that raised imprint. And we are not even talking about the Apostille process here. Just a variety of documents that need to be notarized to be used abroad without the Apostille requirement. The countries that come to mind are Canada, India, and the Virgin Islands. Some even like the really official looking gold seal under the embossment. Some states do not require seals at all (your signature is your seal) - Connecticut, Not required but may choose to use one. New York, not required but will be required to print certain information on every notarial certificate. Kentucky, optional. Louisiana, optional. Vermont, optional or print additional information on certificates. Maine, optional but recommended on documents that leave the state. Michigan, optional. It is important to note that if the Notary is working as a loan signing agent, they will be required to use a stamp or seal that is photographically reproduceable. Some states give the either - or - option - A few of the states that give you this either-or-option have regulations that you cannot use them both at the same time, and others advise you to use both for extra fraud protection. Please make certain to check your state regulations for additional information; Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. And at least one state has a unique use of the notary embosser to 'secure a loose certificate'...Oregon Notary Public Guide says "An embosser is especially useful to affix the impression so that it rests half on the certificate and half on the signer's page. Make sure that the whole impression is also on the certificate so that an auditor can compare the divided impression to the whole". Other states, like California say "Your official seal must be placed in its entirety on the same page as the notarial certificate. Do not place an impression of the seal on every page of a document or fan the pages of the document and place an impression of the seal across all pages. California notaries may use an embosser as long as the impression is photographically reproduceable. Here's what you need to know before you start using an embosser as a Notary Public. Check your state regulations to see if you can use an embosser. If your state says "either-or" then you may have to choose between one or the other and cannot use both. If your regulations say you must have an ink seal but can use an embosser in addition to your ink seal, make sure you are clear how you can use that embosser. It can be very useful to mark all the pages of a multi-page document, like a Last Will and Testament to prevent page swapping after Grandma dies, but only in states where the embosser is not an official seal of office. Some states authorize you to emboss the original document together with a loose certificate. NNA recommends that you write "original Document Has Embossment". This will let the receiving party know that they should find an embossment on the original document and if it isn't there, then it is not the document that was notarized. DOWNLOAD THE NOTARY SEAL / EMBOSSER REQUIREMENTS BY STATE BY CLICKING HERE (UPDATED 2023). Just be certain that you understand your state regulations regarding the use of an embosser alone or in conjunction with your ink seal. I have included a link with some information about seals and embossers for all 50-states. But please realize that this information is subject to change at any time, so always double check you state regulations. You also may need additional clarifying information from your licensing agency on how you can incorporate an embosser in your work as a Notary Public.

WHY ARE SO MANY NOTAIRES TALKING ABOUT IPEN LATELY? The downturn on the Real Estate Market has left many Notaries looking for alternative solutions to keep their revenue up. It has also left many organizations and trainers with needs to fill the hearts of Notary Signing Agents with hope for their businesses! Don't get us wrong of the bat, there is still a lot of hope for Signing Agents as a downturned market only really means there may need to be some adjustments made in your business model. However, proceeding with caution on pricey business decisions is needed even more. For those who aren't as connected or involved as they should be in the Notary and Signing Agent circuits, this means costly mistakes can be made in searching for ways to increase revenue. And, we have composed this article to help you keep from making knee-jerk reactions that could ruin your marketing budget for the entire year. What is worrisome is there will be conferences throughout this year for Notaries and Loan Signing Agents who invite vendors from around the country to introduce products and services that will make you feel like they can raise your revenue. And, because they are presented at conferences in trusted circles with loads of other eager Notary entrepreneurs also hearing out the sale’s pitches- it may seem like a good fit even though it won’t be. This year at Notary Stars we are actually advising Notaries to forgo larger conferences, and extensive travel, to network the other Notaries and attend at least their local Escrow Association Conference so you can network with Escrow Officers in your State who can actually provide you work! Nearly every State, if not all of them, have a Local Escrow Assocation and that is where you should be networking by getting on their site as a sponsor and showing up to their events. And learning, what they need from you! One of the products we have seen running amuck since last year is the appearance of IPEN companies popping up at conferences and taking between $1000 to $1500 from Notaries to sell them equipment on which they can conduct IPEN Signings. IPEN Signings are in-person Electronic Notarizations when a signer and a Notary are in the same location and the Notary Public notarized the document without any paper involved. And after they make the purchase, the product rarely, if ever, gets used. And of course, then the Notary is told they just don’t know how to market it. When the truth is the technology, itself, is “iffy” in the first place when it comes to electronic Notarizations. The Warning: Unless IPEN companies can provide you business or you specifically have a client who wants you to have this technology and can provide you enough business to recover your cost, you should not buy this technology. As of the moment it seems to either be traditional paper or all-in RON. And anyone who does accept IPEN is currently providing that technology to the Notary. The only exception we see at the moment is if your affordable RON Platform also provides IPEN as an add-on or it comes with the platform. HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW At this time, you will never just be able to upload documents from a Lender or Title Company and notarize them electronically unless it is approved in advance. Most Title Companies and Lenders are still not conducting even RON Closings (Remote Online Notarization) for Loans because they have a hard time insuring the Deed if Notarized Electronically. And the only real customers we see doing RON Closings at the moment are lenders who do not sell their Notes after closing to servicers. Rocket Mortgage, formerly known as Quicken Loans, is a great example of this. And although Rocket Mortgage does offer RON and IPEN closings, it is done through their platform that they offer to the Notary Loan Signing Agents. Another thing to consider with IPEN is that General Notary Work often will not be accepted for most of the documents presented. You will still need to ask your client if they will accept the electronically notarized document before you proceed and have them scan and email it to you to upload to your platform (or you’ll need to scan it). For the most sensitive documents, even though RON is approved they are not yet being accepted. Remember: all of this is still very new technology. And if the clients receiving party can accept them, the signer or you will still have to most likely print out the document anyway. So the technology wouldn't really be helping you at this point in General Notary Work. Notary Stars has invited many platforms to interview with our RON Training Program through 2022 and will continue inviting new companies within 2023 so you can compare them. We never specifically endorse any of the companies outright and want to help the Notaries make specific decisions based on what is right for them. In the case of the crazy IPEN craze we want you to rest assured this year with the economy slowing down you are going to see more and more advertisements and presentations for IPEN products. This is because their customers (Title Companies and Lenders) are slowing down at the moment and just like any business they need a profit. If you know someone who is interested in purchasing IPEN products, please share this article with them before they waste $1000 to $1500. There are a few reasons why a notary might consider becoming a Remote Online Notary (RON) rather than focusing on in-person electronic notarization (IPEN). First, RON allows for greater flexibility and convenience for both the notary and the client. With RON, notarizations can be conducted remotely, which means that the notary does not have to be physically present with the client. This can be especially beneficial for clients who live in remote areas or who have difficulty traveling. RON also allows for notarizations to be completed outside of normal business hours, which can be convenient for clients who have busy schedules. Second, RON may be more cost-effective for the notary in the long run. IPEN still requires specific resources that can be costly to the notary (gas, vehicle wear, travel time, printing, paper, specialized equipment, etc). RON, on the other hand, only requires the internet and a home computer, both of which most notaries already have. Another added benefit is that RON may allow the notary to serve a wider range of clients, which can increase their potential revenue. Rather than being tethered to just Escrow, the RON notary has the ability to branch out to a HUGE pool of potential clients. Third, don't forget the price you place on your time, which is the most valuable commodity any of us has. IPEN still involves travel time between clients, which means you are not earning as you go from appointment to appointment. RON involves zero travel time, so an effective RON Notary can line up appointments back-to-back all day long. And when there is downtime between appointments, that time saved by not traveling can be utilized more effectively to continue marketing for more clients and prepping for other signings. Remember, Time is money, but it's also your most valuable commodity. Spend it wisely, or you'll end up broke and empty-handed.

As the New Year approaches, it's a perfect time to reflect on the past year and think about how you can make the most of the year ahead. If you're running a RON (Remote Online Notarization) business, there are plenty of exciting opportunities to seize in the coming year. Suit up! First and foremost, now is the time to set your goals for the year ahead. What do you want to achieve with your RON business in the next 12 months? Do you want to increase your revenue, expand your client base, or streamline your processes? Whatever your goals may be, it's important to have a clear plan in place to help you achieve them. One way to set yourself up for success in the New Year is to review and update your business plan. Take a look at your current operations and identify areas where you can improve efficiency or increase profitability. Maybe you want to invest in a new RON Platform, apply to work with more signing services or hire additional staff (This doesn’t have to be an employee. Think about sites like Fiverr or Upwork to help with the workload.). Whatever your plans may be, make sure you have a clear roadmap in place to help guide you along the way. It’s Game Time! Making a business plan for your RON (Remote Online Notarization) business doesn't have to be a tedious task. In fact, you can turn the process into a fun and interactive game to make it more enjoyable and engaging. Here's how: Set the stage: To start, set the stage by creating a comfortable and inspiring workspace. This could be a cozy corner of your home or a quiet conference room at your office. Make sure you have all the necessary materials, such as a laptop, pen and paper, and any reference materials you might need. Divide and conquer: Next, divide the process of creating a business plan into smaller, more manageable tasks. For example, you might tackle the market analysis one day, and work on the financial plan the next. This will help you stay focused and make progress without feeling overwhelmed. Make it a team effort: Invite a few friends or colleagues to join you in the business planning process (Hint: They don’t have to be RON Notaries). Working with others can make the process more fun and interactive, and you might even come up with some great ideas that you wouldn't have thought of on your own. Reward yourself: As you complete each task or milestone in your business plan, reward yourself with a small treat or activity. This could be something simple, like taking a short walk or indulging in a favorite snack (wine and chocolate are fun picks). This will help keep you motivated and encourage you to stay on track. Celebrate your progress: Finally, don't forget to celebrate your progress as you complete your business plan. Whether you throw a small party or simply take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments, it's important to recognize the hard work and effort you've put into creating your business plan. Check In With Your Teammates! In addition to setting goals and reviewing your business plan, it's also important to focus on building and maintaining strong relationships with your clients. As a RON business, you likely rely on strong partnerships with clients to keep your business running smoothly. Make sure you're regularly checking in with your clients and addressing any concerns or issues they may have. It's also a good idea to find ways to show appreciation for their business, whether it's through small gestures like sending personalized thank you notes or offering special discounts or promotions. Study The Playbook Another key to success in the New Year is staying up to date on industry trends and developments. As you already know, Notary Stars is an EXCELLENT resource, but you can always Google topics like “remote online notary” and click the News tab to see if there have been changes. The world of RON is constantly evolving, so it's important to stay on top of the latest news and developments to ensure that you're providing the best service possible to your clients. This could involve attending industry conferences, joining professional organizations, or simply keeping an eye on industry news and updates. Practice, Practice, Practice!! In addition to staying current on industry trends, it's also important to continually improve your skills and knowledge. As a RON professional, you likely have a wealth of experience and expertise (or you are knocking on the door of getting that experience), but there's always more to learn. Consider taking online courses or earning additional certifications to stay ahead of the curve and enhance your credibility as a RON business. Again, Notary Stars is an invaluable resource for courses and interactions with working professionals that are here to help you. We are not your competitors. We are your teammates!! Celebrate Your Victories! Finally, don't forget to have fun and enjoy the journey as you work to achieve your goals in the New Year. Running a business can be challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Take time to celebrate your accomplishments and enjoy the journey as you work towards a successful and fulfilling year ahead. As you start the New Year with your RON business, remember to set clear goals, review and update your business plan, focus on building strong relationships with clients, stay up to date on industry trends and developments, and continue to improve your skills and knowledge. With a clear plan in place and a positive attitude, you can make the most of the year ahead and achieve great things with your RON business.

Notaries need to be aware that not every “soft” or digital file should be shared with signing services or title agencies. Many times, I hear that Notaries are sending their actual files from Identrust (or other Digital Certificate Vendor) and their saved Image of their Electronic Stamp to these agencies as “proof” of RON Certification. I doubt that the hiring agency even understands that what they are asking for is not legally compliant for the Notary. By the notaries sending these digital documents they are essentially sending them their physical stamp (if we compare it to an in-person verification) as proof of their commission. Legally Notaries are to keep their stamp in their “sole control” and not share or lend it to anyone. By sending these digital files, Notaries are “sharing” their digital credentials with each one of these agencies. The digital certificate (commonly issued by Identrust) is a digital file which proves that that specific Notary signed a document. This file, when shared, can be used by a 3rd party person to commit fraud. They can upload this verification onto their own computers, gain access to the file by either cracking the password or simply telling the notary to share it with them, and now they can sign a document which will show that the Notary performed the act. They basically can sign any and all documents electronically and make it look like the Notary did it themselves! The digital image of the Notary’s physical stamp, referred to as their electronic seal, is also something that Notaries should not share! Just think of it this way, if you lost or had your physical stamp stolen it would require you to file a police report and notify the Secretary of States’ office. This electronic image is no different than that! By sharing this image, you are allowing anyone who obtains it the ability to stamp documents electronically and make it appear as though you performed the Notarization. It is imperative that if you are embarking on a path for Remote Online Notarization that you understand the risks to you when these files are sent to requesting agencies. When (If) you get a request for these digital files, explain to the requesting agency that they are the sole property of the Notary and cannot be shared due to your state law. Once they understand that these files are not part of your “proof of RON commission” files which they are actually in need of, it should clear up the confusion. There is only time which it is acceptable to upload these files to a requesting agency, and that is when you are onboarding with an Authorized Remote Online Notarization Software Platform. These software systems will need both of these files, and your encrypted password for the digital certificate in order for you to become an active user of their system.

Start Your New Year The Right Way By Developing RON Routines If you're like most notaries, the start of a new year is a time to reflect on the past and set resolutions for the future. But if you want to be a Remote Online Notary (RON) superstar, it's also a great time to develop routines that will help you be more productive and successful in your work. Here are some tips to get you started. Set daily, weekly, and monthly goals to help you stay on track Goal setting is an important skill for success in life. When it comes to staying on track with your business, creating daily, weekly and monthly goals can be a great help. For instance, you might. Set yourself a goal to send out a certain number of emails every day. Reach out to new business contacts twice per week. Make at least three new posts a week on social media. Attend a Business-Related social event once a month (They don't have to be industry related, just get out there and make new contacts). Set a goal to take one new class a week on Notary Stars. Read one new self-help book per quarter. You don't have to take all these steps listed above, but by consistently setting and implementing daily, weekly, and monthly goals that are appropriate to the task of growing your business, you will be able to stay organized and focused on achieving your long-term aspirations. Taking regular steps forward towards your goals can give you both motivation and reassurance that you are headed in the right direction. Find a method of organization that works for you and stick to it Trying to keep yourself organized? Good choice! Everyone leads a busy life and organizing your tasks, projects and goals can be the difference between success and stress. However, it's not easy, so don't let that put you off - it takes time to find a method of organization that works for you. If you are not already doing so, get yourself an online calendar that you can access from ANYWHERE. Put all of your appointments in there, whether big or small, personal or business. Consider a calendar scheduling app like Calendly (or any number of others) that seamlessly ties into your new online calendar. Share your scheduling link with your clients, in your email signature or on your website. If your invoicing and financing is "messy," consider a Notary Accounting Software that lets you keep track of your finances, invoices, expenses, etc. If remembering who you met, sent emails to or spoke with on the phone, maybe give a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool a go? If you focus on building relationships with customers or leads, then your business will grow in return. Whichever route you decide to go down, make sure once you do find something that works for you - stick with it! Schedule time for breaks so you don't burn yourself out One of the greatest joys of being an Online Notary is working from home! Working from home can be a productivity paradise, but it also carries the risk of working yourself into a burnout. To prevent this fate from befalling you, it's important to. Set specific days off and office hours for working. Take time to wake up in the morning. Jumping right out of bed and onto the computer doesn't give you time to collect your thoughts and assess the day ahead. Take time for breaks throughout the day. Yes, even taking a nap for 20 minutes a day is acceptable and can easily be calendared in your new online calendar you just started using. Feeling "lazy" taking naptime during the day? Try taking a five-minute breather for some tea or stretching, run some short errands that are nearby and give your eyes a rest from the computer, watch a YouTube recipe channel, have a puzzle setup in the office that you can go work on for a few minutes, just STOP working for a little while. Trust me – your body and mind will thank you for setting aside scheduled blocks of time for refreshment. Life is messy enough as is; scheduling breaks helps ensure that at least one part of your life isn't! Set aside time each week to review your progress and set new goals Setting aside time each week to review your own progress can make a world of difference in how effective and meaningful your work and accomplishments are. Whether it's setting new goals or celebrating little victories, engaging in frequent self-reflection helps to keep you motivated and inspired. Maybe you didn't make your social media posting quotient? That's ok, but you need to acknowledge that and take action. Maybe you tried a new advertising email campaign that had great success? Maybe you found that working with a certain customer/client base makes you feel anxious or edgy? You won't know what worked and what didn't, unless you take time to review your progress. Consider it a fun and playful way of exploring what worked well and what could be improved upon the next round. It may feel silly at first, but chances are you will soon find yourself doing this on a regular basis! Celebrate your accomplishments, big and small, and take time to thank your supporters Achieving success isn’t easy, and it’s not something we can do alone. Whether it’s landing a new client, a successful marketing campaign you've developed, or even something small like mastering a new RON Platform, it takes effort – and help – to get to the finish line. That’s why it’s important to celebrate our accomplishments and thank those who cheered us on along the way. So go ahead and let yourself feel accomplished; give yourself a pat on the back for all that you manage to accomplish. Don’t be shy about giving yourself credit for all the hard work you put in! And don’t forget to say “Thanks!” to your supporters – because without them we would all be lonesome achievers. Bring it on 2023! You've got this! By setting daily, weekly, and monthly goals, you can make sure you're staying on track to hit your big-picture targets. And once you find a system of organization that works for you, stick with it! It's also important to schedule time for breaks so you don't burn yourself out. Finally, set aside some time each day or week to review your progress and give yourself a pat on the back for all your accomplishments—big and small. Do you have any great tips for goal-setting routines? Share them with us in the comments below or come talk about your successes in a live class on Notary Stars so we can learn from each other! Above all, make it the best year possible by being the best "You" possible! Happy New Year!!

Eric Clapton sang it best in 1970 After Midnight, We're gonna let it all hang out. After midnight, We're gonna chug-a-lug and shout We're gonna cause talk and suspicion Give an exhibition Find out what it is all about. You can be sure that I am not as talented or as well known as Eric Clapton, but this article sure might 'cause talk and suspicion' in the Notary community. We are going to delve into the issue of a loan signing appointment that spans the bewitching hour of 'Midnight' and what that means for your loan documents. We're going to try and 'find out what it is all about' in this article. I personally do not take loan signing appointments late at night but there are many NSA's who do. There just are times that a late appointment is the only time the signer is available and the lender/title company wants the documents signed on a particular date. Not tomorrow, not two days from now, but today! Dedicated to customer service, the perfect signing agent in you says, 'No problem. I can meet you at 11:30pm and we'll get your documents signed and notarized.' Sounds like a win-win situation until suddenly in the middle of the signing, you realize that the clock has struck midnight and your stamp is about to turn into a pumpkin. Now the date is the next day and you know that your hiring party will want a consistent dates on all the signature lines and notarizations must also be consistent throughout the package. But what can you do legally as a Notary to make all this come together seamlessly? We tapped a few resources to find the best way to handle this situation and still be within our regulatory statutes. Laura Biewer of CoachMeLaura.com advised to be prepared anytime you are in a late signing and think ahead to be prepared for any situation. She advises to plan on 'Doing all the notarized documents first so that they all bear the same date'. Good advice. And to be honest, we aren't concerned in this scenario what date the signer uses on their signature line except that we know the hiring party will likely reject a package that did not bear consistent dates throughout. So we probably should advise them to continue dating their signature with 'yesterday's' date. If you didn't forecast that the signing would go past the midnight hour and now you find yourself in a bit of a bind, Laura Biewer suggests that you continue the signing with the same date that you started the appointment with and just make a clear note in your journal. Now we are going to go down a rabbit hole...want to come along with Alice? What if it is a RON signing? Bill Bumphrey, NotaryStars.comRON instructor says, 'You could remedy that problem by pre-filling the dates so they were uniform throughout the entire document or use the "add text" feature (if available) to manually fill in the text during the session. The audit trail will show exactly when the documents were signed and notarized, so make sure to make that notation in your journal records.' And one last expert weighed in on this dilemma...Amy Seitz, Owner at CyberizeIt.com . Amy says that situation can occur even if you are not approaching the bewitching hour when you are notarizing for someone in another county. "The proper procedure is that the date reflects the time zone of the signers [Borrower & Notary]. So if my client were in tomorrow, their date/time stamp would be tomorrow (13th) but all of my date/time stamps would by for today (12th). The platform and audit report would reflect their exact location and time. The audit report would also reflect the difference in date/time and that would be the information that would stand up in court for compliance." In the end we learned to; - Be prepared for the possibility if the appointment is close to midnight and have a plan in place. - Best practice might be not to start a RON signing too close to the bewitching hour no matter where any of the participants are to keep those date/time stamps consistent. - Eric Clapton is still signing and Alice is still wandering down rabbit holes.

The Multiple Facts of Multi-Factor Authentication If you're a remote online notary, then you know that part of your job is to verify the identity of your signatories. But how exactly do you go about doing that? In this blog post, we'll explain the different methods of remote online notary verification. By the end, you'll have a better understanding of which method is best for each situation. So let's get started! If you are like most people, you use the words Kleenex to refer to facial tissues or you use the word Xerox to refer to a photocopy. Similarly, while everyone realizes there is ID verification as part of Remote Online Notarization (RON), most notaries generically refer to this as KBA or Knowledge Based Authentication, but there is a lot more to it than just KBA. KBA is just one part of the authentication process. There is actually quite a bit more to identifying your signer. Aside from KBA, there is typically Credential Analysis, but there can also be biometrics. All of which leads to multi-factor authentication. Let's break these down a bit more... Knowledge-Based-Authentication (KBA) KBA, in its simplest explanation, means that the person who wants to have documents notarized has to answer some questions about themselves. These are questions that only they should know, like their mortgage balance or an old address. They have to get a certain number of questions right to be able to sign. If they don't get enough questions right, they can try again, but if they don't pass the second time, they can't sign. Typically speaking, the questions on the KBA relate to information that is public but not common knowledge, and they should be such that a person other than the signer would be unlikely to know the answer. The signer must answer a certain number of questions correctly to be positively identified; for example, in many states, a signer requesting a RON must correctly answer a minimum of 4 out of 5 KBA questions (80%) in under 2 minutes. Each question must have at least 5 possible answers. If the signer fails the first test, the signer may retake the KBA, and each of the retakes must replace at least 2 of the 5 questions in the previous exam. If the signer fails the second retake, the Notary must not perform the RON. While there are slight variations to this, such as the number of retries and the hours in which there is a "cooling off period," this is generally the accepted definition of KBA. Credential Analysis Simply speaking, credential analysis is a way to check if an ID, like a driver's license, is real. A service provider doing credential analysis checks the security features, like the barcode or image placement. They also compare the data on the credential to other trusted sources. When conducting a credential analysis as part of a remote notarization, the software will use an automated process to verify the signer's ID. This process uses sophisticated algorithms to confirm that all security elements and information are present on the ID. The software will request that the signer allow the system to take a picture of the ID, which will then be analyzed. If all information and security elements are present, the ID will be considered valid. However, it is important to note that credential analysis requirements vary by state. Before selecting a RON platform, confirm that their system meets the requirements for your state. Doing so will help to ensure that the notarization is conducted in compliance with state law. Biometrics And finally, we have Biometrics. A biometric is a unique physical characteristic of an individual that can be used for identification or authentication. Some examples of biometrics include fingerprints, iris scans, and facial recognition. This process allows for the secure identification or authentication of an individual without the need for passwords or other identifying information. As it relates to RON, these characteristics are measured and compared against the presented identification card or passport to determine if the person in front of the Notary is the person who is signing the documents. ***BEWARE*** While the use of biometrics is a growing trend, this type of authentication is not available in all States. At the time (11 of the writing of this article, biometrics are only allowed in FL, LA, MN MT, NJ, VA, and WY. Please ensure yours is a biometrics-approved state before employing this measure of ID verification. Multi-factor Authentication So altogether, we end up with multi-factor authentication. Just as with some websites where you must enter your password and then a code that is generated from a third-party authentication system, sent via an SMS Message, or emailed to you, multi-factor authentication in RON signings is the best way to confirm someone's identity. It requires a person to use at least two different methods to prove who they are. This makes it much less likely that someone will commit fraud. Conclusion In summary, Multi-factor authentication is an important security measure to prevent fraud. By requiring a person to use at least two different methods to prove their identity, it makes it much less likely that someone will be able to commit fraud. Again, please remember, while biometrics are a growing trend, they are not available in all states yet. Make sure your state allows for biometric verification before employing this method. So the next time you say "They passed KBA," keep in mind there is a little more to it than just KBA. While the end-user does not necessarily need to know all the moving parts, by understanding the facets of the ID verification process and what they are, you are much better informed than most of your counterparts in the industry. It's kind of like making sausage... The end result should perfectly satisfy, but the consumer doesn't need to know every step of the process. If you are currently conducting, or interested in conducting, RON Closings and have not yet trained with Notary Stars consider joining us today. Not only do we over over 150+ hours of page-by-page training on every loan product under the Sun- we also offer excellent training for Remote Online Notarization & RON Safety. Here’s a list of our current playbacks from our RON Training Library you may want to access as a member:

Amrock, who uses Nexsys Clear Sign, to conduct RON Closings recently issued the following statement to all RON Notaries who partner with Amrock: Amrock has received feedback from our clients stating some RON Closings have taken place on the go, specifically within a car. We are sending out communication to remind all signing agents of the importance of creating a professional digital signing room to conduct your clisongs. Choosing a private, uninterrupted, quiet location is critical to creating the best closing experience for our clients. It is important for us Notary Signing Agents to address this head on because there are going to be those of us who are either completely RON Notaries who do have a professional stationary workspace and then there will also be those of us who are Hybrid Notary Signing Agents, whom this may cause problems for. One of my own personal immediate responses would be - “What about all of the clients who have asked me to meet in Starbucks in the past to sign their documents because they didn’t want anyone they don’t know in their home?” Shouldn’t what is good for them be good for me too? And, I fear that this will be the retaliation from many if we don’t head this off right here in the beginning. In fact, my marketing students actually chose to address this topic specifically during our classes here at the end of the year because they are all curious about how they will balance their mobile closings with their RON Closings. Right now, RON is still very new. Even if you are a RON only Notary Signing Agent you most likely either work for Amrock or for Notarize when doing actual Loan Signings as they are the current dominant platforms for RON throughout the country (as of November 2022). Keep in mind that we are talking specifically about closings with loan documents at the moment as most lenders will not yet ensure notes or deeds that have been electronically notarized. As of yet most of us haven’t gotten a feel for what other Title Agencies and lenders are going to expect from you as RON becomes more prevalent. Even with the “Bring Your Own Business” platforms coming at us left and right we generally only see single documents, general Notary work, or only Title Docs. Which means we should be using this early warning sign from Amrock (who is one of the largest Title Agencies for one of the largest Lenders) as a guideline of sorts to ensure that you are ready for the coming trends. By doing so- you will be putting yourself ahead of the curve when grooming your own direct clients for RON and setting the stage for more growth within your own business. Let’s consider the facts behind this statement in a logical way. Most of us sign our signers in their homes. Meetings for Loan Closings are generally only done at a public place much less frequently. And, when we do sign in public (at least our Notary Stars) are trained not to speak figures or personal information out loud as we would inside someone’s home to ensure private information stays private. When conducting a RON inside a public place like Starbucks you are subject to anyone hearing you go over the documents and seeing your screen. This could be rather alarming to many signers this day and age. And if you are performing from a vehicle it’s impossible to hide the fact that you are in your car- which just looks unprofessional all together. Most RON Platforms do not allow you to use a Green Screen at the moment and to be honest we would advise against this anyway at Notary Stars. Although Green Screens look great in most cases it leads to suspicion of what one might be hiding. And if you ever needed to rely on your own video you may not want to have used one. Remember, we always try to follow the path of least resistance as Notaries and Loan Signing Agents. Our Current Advice Treat RON Signings carefully! Always remember that everything you do is being recorded and there is no turning back once the session is complete. The larger companies have access to your recordings when you are done so there is no back peddling if you decide to defy expectations. For now we are advising all Notaries to conduct RON Signings in a secure location, like a home office or private office space, if you are running a hybrid Mobile Notary and RON Notary operation. Make sure you have a good Anti-Viral Program like Norton on your computer in addition to a good Mal-ware program such as MalwareBytes as well. You may also want to consider investing in additional insurance through your General Liability Providers for Cyber Crime Coverage. Although this is not a requirement at this time for RON Closings with the surge of Cyber Crime Notaries who conduct loans are sure to be a target of the future. If you are currently conducting, or interested in conducting, RON Closings and have not yet trained with Notary Stars consider joining us today. Not only do we over over 150+ hours of page-by-page training on every loan product under the Sun- we also offer excellent training for Remote Online Notarization & RON Safety. Here’s a list of our current playbacks from our RON Training Library you may want to access as a member:

The past few years have been one twist and turn after another for Notaries and Loan Signing Agents hasn’t it? It seems like one minute we were all trucking along on a steady course of business and the next we were having appointments thrown at us left and right to the point we were begging for a day off. And now, we are hearing all sorts of stories around the US. Some are saying that they are still very busy despite higher interest rates. Others are saying they’ve seen a huge decline in their Notary work. And, then of course there are going to be those who are saying that they have to get a part-time or full-time job again because it’s not working out for them. Before you check that last box, let us assure that we are ALL still safe and there is still plenty of work to go around. We have done our very best to keep up-to-date with the most important industry topics over the past year. And, through what may seem for some of you to be the biggest twist (higher interest rates slowing down signings), we have still worked hard to bring you some of the most uplifting Notary business guidance we can help you “weather the storms.” We appreciate how so many of you have written to us in thanking us for what we’ve been able to contribute this year. That is why we are taking the entire month of November to take a pause with any more information and remind you that it’s okay to Catch Up To Get Ahead (Hence, The Title). Next month marks a time for goal setting for all business owners for the first quarter of the year, not just for Notary Loan Signing Agents, and you will really want to take the next 30 days to ponder where you are in your Notary career and where you would like to go. If you feel like you are about to check that box for part-time or full-time work again then it’s time to take action. So, if you think you are anywhere close to being on the fence about staying in this industry. Take a deep breath, take a good look around, and know that you are not the only one who might be wanting more business and a little worried about our industry. And that’s okay. Here are some of the important videos and blogs we’ve done this year that are absolutely FREE to help you with your Notary Career and business: Notary Stars Unlimited Video Replays: Video Highlight 1- Who Are We As Signing Agents Video Highlight 2- Training Courses Unleashed Video Highlight 3- Direct Business for Notaries Video Highlight 4- Accounting For Notaries Want More? (Click Here for The Full Playlist) Notary Stars Blogs & Podcast: Blog & Podcast Highlight 1- Notary Listing Sites After The Pandemic Blog & Podcast Highlight 2- Five Ways To Save On Cost As A Notary Signing Agent Blog & Podcast Highlight 3- Five Tips To Increase Notary Work Want More? (Click Here To See All Of Our Blogs) Marketing: The Truth About Marketing Your Notary Business Video: Free Google My Business Listing Tutorial for Notaries We will be giving a wonderful recap on Notary Stars Unlimited on November 16th, 2022 at 5 pm PST/ 6 pm MST / and 8 EST. Register for this free event at https://www.notarystars.com/unlimited Get caught up on anything you’ve missed and starting in December join us for the final installment of Notary Stars Unlimited as we will be embarking on a new journey in 2023 titled “Notary Stars Unlimited - We’re Stronger Together,” which will be hyper-focused on teamwork at the local, state, and national levels. Also mark your calendar for December 5th, 2022 for a special appearance from Matt Miller from the California Independent League of Notaries (CLIN) where we begin our journey at Notary Stars by adding concerned and caring organizations from around the country like CLIN to aid you with your successes. If you thought we were done after creating over 150+ hours of in-depth Loan Signing Agent training on every loan product under the Sun, one of the most robust marketing courses available, and one of the most up-to-date Notary Resources online- just wait to see what is in store for you in 2023!

There is a New Military ID Card in the Neighborhood Next Generation Uniformed Services ID Card The Department of Defense is moving from its current Uniformed Services Identification (USID) card to a more secure card. The new card will be moving away from the paper and lamination process and will be printed on plastic. This will also enable the new card to incorporate some much-needed security features. As Notaries, some states allow the use of Military ID cards as a primary form of identification if it carries all the required information compliant with that states’ regulations. We all can use it in loan signing assignments as a secondary form of ID. But remember, we can never photocopy, or accept a photocopy of a military ID. The Next Generation USID card’s initial issuance began on July 31, 2020 and completed it’s phased-in implementation in December 2020. All DOD ID card facilities now issue the new card to retired and reserve members, dependent family members and other eligible persons who have access to Department of Defense bases or who need access to benefits or privileges. Currently-issued USID cards remain valid through their expiration date. Cards will not be reissued solely for the purpose of obtaining the Next Generation USID card. So we may still see some of the older versions of this ID card. Here is a peak at the new card being issued; These samples are for Retired, Reserve, Spouse. Please note the card with the color coding (Blue stripe) indicates they are a Foreign Affiliate. Next Generation USID Card TypeRecipients Armed Forces of the United States Geneva Conventions Identification Card-Members of the Individual Ready Reserves and Inactive National Guard -Non-CAC-eligible civilian noncombatant personnel deployed in conjunction with military operations overseas U.S. Department of Defense / Uniformed Services Sponsor Identification and Privilege Card -Retired members entitled to retired pay -Members of the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) -Members of the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL) -Retired members of the Reserves and National Guard -Medal of Honor recipients -100% Disabled Veterans -Former members in receipt of retired pay -Transitional Health Care Member (TAMP) -Full-time paid United Service Organizations (USO) personnel when serving OCONUS -United Seaman’s Service (USS) Personnel OCONUS -Officers and Crews of MSC vessels deployed to foreign countries -Select Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) personnel -Other benefits-eligible categories as described in DoD policy U.S. Department of Defense / Uniformed Services Dependent Identification and Privilege Card Dependents of: -Active duty Service members of the regular components -Reserve component Service members on active duty for more than 30 days -Retirees -Medal of Honor recipients -Former members in receipt of retired pay -Transitional Health Care Members (TAMP) -100% Disabled Veterans -Ship’s Officers and Crewmembers of NOAA Vessels -Reserve members not on active duty or in receipt of retired pay -Former members not in receipt of retired pay -Reserve Service members who die after receipt of NOE Surviving Dependents of: -Active duty and retired Service members -Medal of Honor recipients -Other benefits-eligible categories as described in DoD policy Next Gen USID Card Color Coding Next Generation USID cards are color coded as white or blue. White cards are for current/former uniformed service members, dependents, and “all remaining personnel”. Blue Next Gen USID cards are for non-U.S. citizen sponsors and their dependents. Color Coding Blue Bar: Non-U.S. Citizen Sponsors and their Dependents White: Current/Former Uniformed Service Members, their Dependents, and All Remaining Personnel Vertically issued cards are for those who are civilians working on military bases or in military positions or what is known as a Common Access Card. You may continue to see the current military ID cards for some time as they will not be re-issuing old cards without an expiration date. Here’s all the different types that we have seen up to this point… Current USID Card TypeRecipients DD Form 2 (Reserve) Armed Forces of the United States Geneva Conventions Identification Card-Members of the Individual Ready Reserves and Inactive National Guard DD Form 2 (Retired) United States Uniformed Services Identification Card-Retired members entitled to retired pay -Members of the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) -Members of the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL) DD Form 2 (Reserve Retired) United States Uniformed Services Identification Card-Retired members of the Reserves and National Guard under the age of 60 DD Form 1173 United States Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card-Dependents of: active-duty Service members of the regular components; Reserve component Service members on active duty for more than 30 days; retirees; Medal of Honor recipients; former members in receipt of retired pay; Transitional Health Care Members (TAMP); 100% Disabled American Veterans (DAV); and Ship's Officers and Crewmembers of NOAA Vessels -Surviving dependents of: active-duty and retired military members; Medal of Honor recipients; and 100% Disabled American Veterans (DAV) -Accompanying family members of authorized civilian personnel overseas -Eligible dependents of foreign military -Other benefits-eligible categories as described in DoD policy DD Form 1173-1 United States Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card (Guard and Reserve family member)-Dependents of: Reserve members not on Active Duty or in receipt of retired pay; former members not in receipt of retired pay; Reserve Service members who die after receipt of Notice of Eligibility -Other benefits-eligible categories as described in DoD policy Article by Beth Hathoot for Notary Stars 11/2022 Reference; Department of Defense https://www.cac.mil/Next-Generation-Uniformed-Services-ID-Card https://www.army.mil/article/243328/press_release_next_generation_uniformed_services_id_card_is_now_available_at_redstone https://veteran.com/usid/