The Notary Files: A Podcast by National Award-Winning Signing Agent Sonita M Leak

Get your document signed, notarized, scanned and faxed or emailed right on the spot!

A little-known tidbit – If you have a document that needs to get notarized then to a company by either facsimile or by email (30 pages or less for scanning and emailing, 10 pages or less for fax), we can send it without those exorbitant fees set by the major fax/copy companies. We can even put it in PDF format for you for printing later.

Call 864.214.6447 today.  The time it takes for me to scan your documents takes LESS* time than if you were to perform the operation on a standard All in One Copy/Scan/Fax machine.

*Time results not a guarantee.

Podcast recorded on December 11, 2020ON LOCATION at Coffee UndergroundGreenville, S.C.COVID 19 has NOT made it easy to see loved ones inside of hospitals, rehab and assisted living facilities.  It has not. Many facilities have limited patient visitors, to a handful of people.  Others, 1 visitor a day.  Even others, no visitors.How does this affect those persons who are inside of them that need paperwork taken care of?  I can say, personally, it’s been difficult to assist signers who are in facilities. Yes, they must be protected, however, many who reside in these facilities need last will and testament, advanced directive and power of attorney forms, important paperwork, taken care of.These are people who may be very ill, some in critical care units, in hospice care. There are certain states that will allow a subscribing witness, a person who is not a conflict of interest threat, to watch the Principal within a facility (and in some cases OUTSIDE of the facility) sign.One option, that may seem unconventional yet may be warranted, is for those facilities that will only allow 1 family member visitor for a signer, to allow another patient’s visitor to witness on their behalf.All-in-all, there must be prior preparation for these types of notarizations.For those notarizations involving subscribing witnesses, everything must be set-up beforehand to ensure the transaction goes smoothly.  Ensuring there is identification for each party, not only the Principal signing, but for the subscribing witness or witnesses involved.  Additional paperwork, including Subscribing Witness forms and copies thereof in case of errors, must be carried.  All necessary notary tools, pens, stamp(s), etc.The preparation is key because for these types of situations, it may be staff members, the social worker or volunteers who are acting as Subscribing Witness, if the facility allows it.Also preparation is key because you are not only on the Principal’s time, you are also on the witnesses’ time.  When you disrupt the lives of others because of mistakes you make as a professional, it goes against that professionalism. You are held to a higher standard.  Being prepared includes having not just your notary stamp, but pens, the proper jurat paperwork and various ways to take payment, should your in-facilty signer not carry cash.Preparation also calls for playing facility situations out in your head BEFORE the trip happens.  This is especially true if you are new to facility signings or if you are not familiar with certain situations, such as dealing with signers who don’t write well, cannot write at all AND ICU patients.After listening, what are some ways YOU assist signers who are in facilities?  Have a facility experience you want to share?Post it in the comments below!

People in my life would say that I’m a work-a-holic. When they see me out and about, I’m doing just that most times – working. But as a human being, I must take time to sit back, smell the roses, sip the coffee, play with the kids and RELAX. Yes, I said it Seemingly from a person who never rests. But, au contrare, mu frere! I do.

If I spent every waking hour of the day working and not getting the recharge and the rest I needed, I would be a ball of nerves, tired all the time and just plain unhealthy. There’s just no way I could let that happen dealing with multiple children and multiple responsibilities.

My advice for the day? Take some good quality time out with your family doing something recreational. No, it doesn’t have to go on for hours, it could be as little as 20 minutes worth of something, ANYTHING. Just do it!

Also, don’t forget to take some time for you. I hear it all the time, and so I repeat it, “If you can’t help yourself or do something for yourself, you definitely cannot do anything for anyone else.” Breathe, pray, meditate, recreate, and most of all APPRECIATE!

I sincerely hope you all enjoy this beautiful next couple of days, I know I’m looking forward to them.

Love,

Your Local Upstate Marriage NotarySonita M. Leak

Myth: All banks will notarize your signature for free.

At least once per week, via Social Media, I see individual requests for signature notarization. 9 times out of 10, those that respond will say, “Just go to your Bank.” It seems fairly easy, right? Just jump in your car, take a trip to your bank (which may very well be right around the corner), and have your signature notarized on that document.

Now, in certain situations, this task is an easy one. There are banks that, as a normal operation of business, perform this service and perform it gladly for their customers. Few and far between will you find a Bank notary that will notarize signatures for someone who is not a member of that Bank.However, there are a myriad of situations that may prevent your signatures notarization for FREE or even AT ALL at a Bank or other Financial Institution of your choosing.Some Banks charge even their OWN members for signature notarization. Yes, I know this because I was once a member of a Bank that charged $2 per notarial act for their services.

Some Banks don’t have notaries on hand. Before you make that special trip to your Financial Institution, place a pre-emptive phone call to make sure they even offer this type of service.

Some Banks have notaries on hand and will only allow their own customers to utilize their services. If you are seeking a Notary Public and you are not a member of the Bank you are visiting, service may be refused. Refusal of Bank Notaries notarizing for signatures for non-members is a whole ‘nother topic.

Some banks will not notarize the signatures of documents that are life estate related. Thinking about writing your Last Will and Testament or drafting your Durable Financial Power of Attorney? Think it through before you present it to your Financial Institution for signature notarization. Due to liability issues, your Bank may say, “No.” The problem with signature notarization on these documents is that if there is an issue with property in probate, or something someone signed (or did not sign) within the document becomes an issue, the Bank notary maybe be pulled away from normal bank activities, costing the Bank time and money for the loss of that employee’s time away from regular banking activities.

Now, by all means, if you can get your signature notarized by your Financial Institution for free, by all means, utilize the service, but please be aware that if someone in Social Media-land is seeking a Notary Public, think twice before referring them to ‘their bank’.

Author: Sonita M. LeakThe Marriage NotaryOwner of GreenvilleNotary.com and WeddingsbySonita.comNotary Public for the State of South Carolina

One trip to Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina a few years ago did not go smoothly. Upon arrival, I learned that the signer I was about to see had a medical emergency and therein could not sign a simple document that would have set his beneficiary information for insurance straight. It happens quite a bit. We notaries are met with situations that are beyond our control. I learned shortly before midnight that the signer passed away.

The job of a notary can go from fairly simple to very complex in a matter of seconds. Many trips to hospitals, assisted-living facilities and hospices can be daunting on the psyche of a notary. One day you will see a patient in a facility who is in good spirits; and in a different setting the next day in Intensive Care. It comes with the territory.

Although most of my posts are ‘happy-go-lucky’, problems arise and things do go wrong in many signing situations, and they are not posted on this website as blogs; hence, why I post what I do post about signers being of sound mind, not incapacitated, held under duress, etc. Sharing information is caring.

One thing to consider in signing situations is the complexity of what’s really in front of you. If you pare people’s lives down to a piece of paper, there is a major disconnect. Yes, you’re just a notary public, but being a notary in a particular situation does not mean that you don’t have feelings and cannot empathize. People who deal with signing situations can get into the rut of ‘performing the job at hand and leaving’, but I must warn these professionals that in that 30 minutes to an hour of time you are before your signer or signers, unless you are a completely heartless human being, you will have some form of attachment to them and their situation.

Customer Service is key. I say that with capital letters because those two words are so very important. I’ve contributed to several articles regarding offering top-notch Customer Service. Knowledge is at one end of the Customer Service spectrum. Empathy is at the other end.

For more information (and this is for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY), you can search through my posts by using the Search Bar in the top right sidebar of this site.

Comments? Questions? Leave them in the Comments section below.

Right now in our field of signature notarization, we are between a rock and a hard place.  It has been established that the office of Notary Public has been placed on the ‘essential worker’ list, however, our jobs are fairly high contact.  We come in contact with signers, shake hands with signers, pass pens and certain documents back and forth.The Notary Public set up is a specific clockwise set up, and now that set up has been disrupted.  It gets skewed further with the different requirements that are set for Notaries in the different states in which they are commissioned.  A handful of states allow Remote Online Notarization, the rest do not.Now there is push for bipartisan legislation* in both the United States House and Senate (see footnotes) for Remote Online Notarization on a Federal level.  However, there are major concerns about increased fraudulent activity, whereas with personal appearance, the instance of fraud is fairly low.Where Do We Turn From HereSo the question is, where do we turn?  Many Notaries Public, especially those who conduct their public service full-time are at a crux between performing their ‘essential duties’ or ‘protecting their and others’ families.Social Media doesn’t make it seem any better.  There are bitter battles within the various Notary groups on what we should all do, the steps that we as Notary Public Signing Agents should take — or not take.One thing is for sure, we need solutions and we need solutions fast. You notice I said ‘solutions’.  Why did I say ‘solutions’? I said ‘solutions’ because we can’t, as Notaries, roll every assignment into the same category.  Performing a Field Services assignment (i.e. verifying a business location exists) is far different from assisting a 70-year-old Senior with Reverse Mortgage documents.The Signing Services (those that select Notaries to perform work), have just as much thinking to do.  There are some that have come up with very interesting ways to work with the public. There are also Signing Services that have put a halt on operations, as suggested during this COVID-19 crisis.If you are a Notary Public or Signing Agent and you’re reading this blog post, what are some ways we, as Notaries can make the process better to protect all involved?  You can also send an email to [email protected] to voice your opinion. Tell me how you think we should move on to continue serving the public in this COVID-19 Culture in the comments below.__________ *Bill H.R.6364  and Bill . S.3533  as introduced to the 116th Congress of the United States of America

Marriage Notary Public & Officiant Sonita M. Leak is the Author of the following information:

All requests for a Marriage License in Greenville County must be made in person by both parties getting married.  There are additional options for picking up the license once applied for, such as Third-Party Authorization.  Inquire to the Marriage License Division by calling 864) 467-7171.

For a couple consisting of Greenville County residents, the application fee is $45.00. If both parties live outside of Greenville County, yet one resides in South Carolina, the fee will be $75. For any couple traveling from out of state/country, the cost for a marriage license in Greenville County is $95. If, after review and nuptials, you discover that there is something incorrect on the license, there will be a correction fee of $6.75, so make sure when it is issued you check that it is absolutely, positively, 100% CORRECT!

There are different items requested by both parties from each Marriage License Division office and since these can vary, I definitely urge you to visit the Greenville County’s Marriage License Division website to seek your answers to what documentation, IDs, originals you need to accomplish applying.  You can visit the site by clicking HERE.

There is a keepsake folder that, although not necessary, may be something you will consider purchasing for an additional $2.00 (as of July 1, 2019). I do not recommend to any couple to use their copy of the Marriage License and Certificate to transact business. This is your copy to keep, frame, put away, and should only be used in an emergency. Why? Say you travel to the Social Security office to have your name changed and in the commission of the clerk making a copy of your certificate, it is accidentally caught in a paper jam. Say the clerk fouled up the copy and instead of putting the misprinted copy in the shredder, accidentally shreds your original. Case in point, keep it as just that, A KEEPSAKE!

A certified copy of your certificate will cost you $5.00. At this time, the copy fee is $ .25, however, it may be higher depending on your request.

Some interesting facts:

Marriage License requests can go as far back as 1911 in the Greenville County database and requests can be made by either walking in to the office or by mail.

One of the biggest questions by a couple to our service is, “Do I have to have a ceremony?” Quite simply, “Yes.” In the State of South Carolina, it is a requirement for a ceremony to be performed.

Probate Court judges, staff, nor personnel marry couples.

If you do not have a Social Security card and are not eligible to receive one, it is possible to obtain a letter from the Social Security Administration Office stating that you are unable to obtain it.

The Marriage License Division is located in Suite 5600 of Greenville County Square, 301 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601. The number to call for inquiry is 864.467.7571.

The Marriage and License Administrators Elizabeth Robinson, Janise Chapman and Ruby Moore are at your service to assist you with your application needs.

For More Information on Application Click HERE.

One trip to Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina a few years ago did not go smoothly. Upon arrival, I learned that the signer I was about to see had a medical emergency and therein could not sign a simple document that would have set his beneficiary information for insurance straight. It happens quite a bit. We notaries are met with situations that are beyond our control. I learned shortly before midnight that the signer passed away.

The job of a notary can go from fairly simple to very complex in a matter of seconds. Many trips to hospitals, assisted-living facilities and hospices can be daunting on the psyche of a notary. One day you will see a patient in a facility who is in good spirits; and in a different setting the next day in Intensive Care. It comes with the territory.

Although most of my posts are ‘happy-go-lucky’, problems arise and things do go wrong in many signing situations, and they are not posted on this website as blogs; hence, why I post what I do post about signers being of sound mind, not incapacitated, held under duress, etc. Sharing information is caring.

One thing to consider in signing situations is the complexity of what’s really in front of you. If you pare people’s lives down to a piece of paper, there is a major disconnect. Yes, you’re just a notary public, but being a notary in a particular situation does not mean that you don’t have feelings and cannot empathize. People who deal with signing situations can get into the rut of ‘performing the job at hand and leaving’, but I must warn these professionals that in that 30 minutes to an hour of time you are before your signer or signers, unless you are a completely heartless human being, you will have some form of attachment to them and their situation.

Customer Service is key. I say that with capital letters because those two words are so very important. I’ve contributed to several articles regarding offering top-notch Customer Service. Knowledge is at one end of the Customer Service spectrum. Empathy is at the other end.

For more information (and this is for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY), you can search through my posts by using the Search Bar in the top right sidebar of this site.

Comments? Questions? Leave them in the Comments section below.

My initial intention in attending the seminar was to gain some insight into what clients and families of the clients I served dealt with on a daily basis with the grief over the loss of a loved one.  Not once in the days leading up to the seminar did I think, “How would this seminar relate to my personal life?” Today hit home for me.  Gloria and Heidi Horsley, the mother and daughter team who lost their beloved son and brother, Scott, to a tragic car accident made me question the entire grieving process, not only for my customers and clients, but for those who I interact with on a daily basis, my own family, ten years after the violent gun death of my brother, Michael.

Many situations were covered during the course of the seminar, which involved two workshop group sessions.  The seminar focused on Pregnancy Loss, Spouse Loss, Sibling Loss, Trauma, Treatment and Life Reconstruction.

The purpose for my attendance, dealing with customers and clients who are experiencing or have experienced a loss, was discussed.  I learned many things within one small group workshop led by Alice MacDonald, MSW, CACII. First, as a person who has experienced the loss of a spouse, she provided the participants of the workshop chance to speak about their experience; what helped them in their process of grieving, what didn’t, and participants offered to each other encouragement in the process.  I learned there are different levels to the grievance process and that not everyone reacts the same way.

One part of the discussion focused on myths that complicate mourning.  Another, on the different ways a spouse might be traumatized when experiencing the loss of a loved one. One thing Clinician MacDonald taught us is that there CAN be healing through positive efforts, sharing, surrounding yourself with positive people and keeping your life at a balance; sometimes gently re-writing some inter-workings of your life to fill the void.

I want to sincerely thank Gloria and Heidi Horsley for sharing Scott with all of us in attendance. I want to thank Alice MacDonald for having the courage to address her intimate story of loss and reconstruction. I also thank Speaker WYFF News 4 Anchor Nigel Robertson for closing this wonderful day with his story about his father’s battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).  I would like to thank them all for allowing God to use them.

Sincerely,

Sonita M. Leak,

A Mother

A Sister

A Notary Public

The Holiday Grief Seminar was held in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Greenville, 847 Cleveland St., Greenville, SC 29601. Presented by Interim Healthcare Hospice, Mackey Mortuary, Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Dillard Funeral Home, Hillcrest Memorial Park, Greenville Memorial Gardens, Oconee Memorial Park and Palmetto Cremation Service.

*Photo courtesy of Open to Hope

One trip to Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina a few years ago did not go smoothly. Upon arrival, I learned that the signer I was about to see had a medical emergency and therein could not sign a simple document that would have set his beneficiary information for insurance straight. It happens quite a bit. We notaries are met with situations that are beyond our control. I learned shortly before midnight that the signer passed away.

The job of a notary can go from fairly simple to very complex in a matter of seconds. Many trips to hospitals, assisted-living facilities and hospices can be daunting on the psyche of a notary. One day you will see a patient in a facility who is in good spirits; and in a different setting the next day in Intensive Care. It comes with the territory.

Although most of my posts are ‘happy-go-lucky’, problems arise and things do go wrong in many signing situations, and they are not posted on this website as blogs; hence, why I post what I do post about signers being of sound mind, not incapacitated, held under duress, etc. Sharing information is caring.

One thing to consider in signing situations is the complexity of what’s really in front of you. If you pare people’s lives down to a piece of paper, there is a major disconnect. Yes, you’re just a notary public, but being a notary in a particular situation does not mean that you don’t have feelings and cannot empathize. People who deal with signing situations can get into the rut of ‘performing the job at hand and leaving’, but I must warn these professionals that in that 30 minutes to an hour of time you are before your signer or signers, unless you are a completely heartless human being, you will have some form of attachment to them and their situation.

Customer Service is key. I say that with capital letters because those two words are so very important. I’ve contributed to several articles regarding offering top-notch Customer Service. Knowledge is at one end of the Customer Service spectrum. Empathy is at the other end.

For more information (and this is for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY), you can search through my posts by using the Search Bar in the top right sidebar of this site.

Comments? Questions? Leave them in the Comments section below.