Notary Public Underwriters Blog
5 Common Mistakes That Can Get Notary Signing Agents Blacklisted
- Details
- Published: July 7, 2025
As a notary signing agent, your reputation is everything. With more signing platforms relying on performance metrics and reviews, one bad experience can lead to fewer assignments—or worse, being blacklisted entirely. The good news? These mistakes are completely avoidable with a little awareness and professionalism.
Here are five common mistakes that can damage your standing and how to avoid them:
1. No-Shows or Lack of Communication
One of the fastest ways to lose trust with a signing platform is to miss an appointment or fail to communicate updates in a timely manner. Whether it’s running late or needing to reschedule, always notify the hiring company immediately. Clear and consistent communication shows you're reliable and respectful of everyone’s time.
2. Requesting Excessive Fees for Local Signings
While it’s fair to expect compensation for your work, charging excessive rates for nearby signings can make you appear unreasonable. Signing platforms often work with multiple notaries, so if your fees are out of range—especially for standard local assignments—you may be passed over in favor of someone more competitively priced.
3. Failing to Update the Platform Portal
Keeping the signing platform updated is essential. Always mark milestones—such as confirming the appointment, completing the signing, or uploading scan backs—as soon as they happen. Failing to update the portal can lead to confusion between the platform, title company, and signer, potentially causing delays and reflects poorly on your reputation.
4. Negative Comments on Social Media
Think twice before posting complaints about a signing company, title office, or client. Industry professionals pay attention to social media, and what you post could determine whether or not you’re hired in the future. Stay positive and professional online.
5. Incorrect or Excessive Scan Backs
If a signing company asks for specific documents to be scanned back, follow their instructions exactly. Sending the entire loan package when they only requested a few key pages slows down processing and can frustrate hiring companies. Stick to what's requested.
Staying in good standing with signing agent platforms comes down to professionalism, communication, and attention to detail. Avoiding these five common mistakes will help you stay in good standing with signing platforms and hiring companies.
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