How to Run a Client Orientation at Your Signing Table

March 20, 2026

Most loan signing errors happen before you've gotten through the first document. A borrower who doesn't know how to initial, writes the wrong date format, or signs differently than their ID can cost you a corrected package and a frustrated title company.

The fix takes 60 seconds.

The Client Orientation

Before you open the package, take 30–60 seconds to walk the borrower through the three things they'll do repeatedly:

**1. How to sign**

Tell them: "Please sign exactly as your name appears on your government-issued ID. If your ID says John Michael Smith, sign John Michael Smith — not John Smith, not J.M. Smith."

Show them the signature line on a blank sheet if needed. If there are two borrowers, explain that each person signs only where their name appears.

**2. How to initial**

Tell them: "For initials, use the first letter of each name on your ID. John Michael Smith would initial J.M.S."

Some lenders accept J.S. — check the lender instructions. When in doubt, use all initials.

**3. How to write the date**

Tell them: "For dates, write today's date in MM/DD/YYYY format — that's March 20, 2026 written as 03/20/2026."

Some borrowers write the year wrong or use a format the lender doesn't accept. Stating it explicitly prevents this.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

A correction on a notarized document isn't always straightforward. On the Deed of Trust and other notarized documents, you cannot use whiteout. A Correction Agreement / Limited POA covers many errors, but it adds complexity. Some lenders reject packages with excessive corrections entirely.

More practically: borrowers who understand what's expected are calmer. Calmer borrowers make fewer mistakes. The whole signing goes faster.

The Tablet Presentation Approach

Some LSAs take this further with a short presentation on a tablet — a few slides showing:

The borrower's name typed out exactly as it should be signed

A visual of where to initial vs. where to sign

The date written correctly

A "good" vs "not quite right" signature example

This is especially useful for first-time borrowers or clients who are elderly, nervous, or non-native English speakers. If you serve a Spanish-speaking clientele, a Spanish version of your orientation is worth having.

After the Signing: Google Reviews

The end of a signing is the best time to ask for a Google review — the borrower just had a professional experience with you, the stress is over, and goodwill is at its peak.

Keep it simple: "If I did a good job today, I'd really appreciate a Google review — it means a lot to a small business. I can text you the link."

Some LSAs use a QR code on a business card. Either works. The key is asking — most borrowers who had a good experience will leave a review if asked directly.

How SigningOS Handles This

SigningOS's Guided Signing Mode includes a Client Orientation step at the start of every signing session — it prompts you with the exact orientation script for the loan type and surfaces a borrower-facing summary of how to sign, initial, and date. The completion screen includes a prompt to request a review before you leave the table.

You don't need a separate tablet app or a Google Slides template. It's built in.