The hands on trainings for functioning as a signing agent and closer can be used in most states. The main difference is that most states do not require licensing but require signing agents to obtain a notary public license and become familiar with the notarial laws of their state.
Absolutely. Each loan signing agent is responsible for how many or how few assignments they accept. Use it as a side gig for extra income or make it your full time business. The possibilities are endless.
Yes. The Pre Licensing course instructor has created a course on the basics of working as a Remote Online Notary. Check the Landrecs website for additional detail
- Complete the required state Closing Agent License application.
The application for an Individual Closing Agent License is found on the Pulseportal.com website. Select: MN Department of Commerce> Licensing Services> Submit License Application> Individual (unless you own a closing company)> License Type> Closing Agent, and complete the information. If you do not have a personal Trust Account (which is not required – and not recommended), you must submit a completed and notarized Trust Account Waiver Form to Licensing.Commerce@state.mn.us - Complete the Required Education. Obtaining your license makes you eligible to close for title companies, lenders and law firms or anyone who deals with real estate. The class contains the legal content required under Statute. Minnesota does not recognize the nickname “Signing Agent or Mobile Notary,” a common name for persons who travel to meet people, check ID and notarizes signatures on real estate documents. Minnesota requires a Closing Agent License, which demonstrates a higher level of knowledge through education, and requires information on the applicant as well as trust accounts, because closers handle large sums of money and confidential information. There is potentially a $10,000 fine per transaction for closing/notarizing real estate documents without the license. Sign up Here.
- Obtain your Notary Commission Complete the Application for your Notary Commission with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Depending on the answers to the Notary Application, a background check may be performed. If a background check is performed a copy is available to you under the Freedom of Information Act if you request it. Separate Commissions are required to Electronically Notarize or Remotely Notarize, and there are rules to be followed. While education is not a state requirement for notaries, it is strongly recommended, as you must know the correct certificates and must conform to state law. Additional Notary Training can be a game-changer for employment. MN Notary Education sign up here.
- The Minnesota Closing Academy If you are new to the Closing Agent business, this class is a practical, hands-on application of how you explain the Minnesota Documents to clients. It walks you through the nuts and bolts of entering and growing your business as a self-employed, Independent Contractor; the records you need to keep for your clients; and your business; and it gives important tips that could only be learned the hard way. So learn the ropes from an expert, Brenda Colston. This is not a state -required course, but acts as a blue-print and is a life-saver for those new to the business. See more information at the Video below and Sign Up Here.
“Principles of Closing“ is the pre-license closing procedures course approved by the Minnesota Department of Commerce for the Closing Agent License required by the state for those who notarize real estate documents. The course closely follows the curriculum required by the state under MN statute. The course is available 24/7 via smart phone, tablet or computer, and you can log in and log out at will, bookmarking your place as you go.
Each section is timed and must be completed in order. A quiz for each section must be passed in order to move on to the next section. This assures that you understand the material. While each section has a minimum amount of time allotted, you may take as long as you wish to thoroughly understand the material, and you may review the course materials as often as you like, so long as you complete the entire course within 120 days.
At the end on the course, there is an online examination that requires a proctor, a non-relative, with no financial interest in your passing the exam, who signs a prescribed Proctor Form saying they saw you take the exam with no assistance from books, notes, your computer, or other source when taking the test. When you have passed the exam, you must submit the required proctor form and a course evaluation to the course provider, so that your course completion can be submitted to the state by the State Licensed Course Provider.
Your Course Completion will be sent on your behalf to Commerce electronically. Please use your legal name, as it appears on your driver’s license.