What Notary Signing Agents Can and Cannot Say at the Table

March 24, 2026

The most common compliance mistake NSAs make isn't a notarial error — it's answering the wrong question.

The National Notary Association frames the rule this way: always cover "the what" and "the where." Never discuss "the how" or "the why."

What That Means

The what: The document name and the key information on it.

The where: Where to find that information — point to it on the page.

The how and why: Why the rate is what it is, how the loan was structured, whether the terms are good, what happens if they default. Never.

Example: A borrower asks about their interest rate.

✓ Correct: "Here's your Promissory Note — your interest rate is shown right here on page 1. That's the rate you agreed to with your lender."

✗ Incorrect: "That rate seems high compared to current market rates" or "Your rate is locked for 30 years, so..." or any explanation that goes beyond pointing to the printed information.

You present. The borrower reads. The borrower decides. That's your role.

Why the Line Exists

Real estate transactions involve legal rights, financial obligations, and tax consequences. Explaining those is the practice of law and financial advice — professions that require licenses NSAs don't hold.

If a borrower has questions about why terms are what they are, you have one answer: "That's a great question for your loan officer." Then offer to call them right now. Most borrowers appreciate the option. Many don't actually have questions — they just needed to see that someone was paying attention.

Common Situations and How to Handle Them

"Why is my rate so high?"

"Your rate is shown on the Note right here. If you have questions about how your rate was set, your loan officer can explain — would you like to call them before we continue?"

"Is this a good deal?"

"I'm just here to notarize your documents — I can't advise you on whether the loan terms are right for you. Your real estate agent or lender can help with that."

"What happens if I miss a payment?"

"Those terms are in the Note — I can show you where it's described. For specific questions about your obligations, your lender is the right person."

"Should I sign this?"

"That's your decision to make. I can show you any part of the documents you'd like to review before signing."

What You Can Always Do

·Name the document: "This is your Deed of Trust"

·Point to printed information: "Your loan amount is here — $425,000"

·Confirm process: "You'll sign on the line at the bottom, and initial each page in the corner"

·Refer to the lender: "That's a question for your loan officer — I can get them on the phone"

·Pause the signing: "We can take a break if you'd like to review anything further"

The NNA Hotline

If you encounter a situation at the table and genuinely aren't sure what to do — a borrower dispute, a suspicious document, a missing notarial certificate — the NNA Hotline is available during business hours:

1-888-876-0827

Mon–Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. PT

Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. PT

NNA members get unlimited access. Non-members get a one-time courtesy call.

How SigningOS Reinforces This

SigningOS's Guided Signing Mode includes a script prompt for each document that stays strictly in "what and where" territory — it tells you what the document is, what to point to, and where signatures and initials go. No advice, no interpretation. You follow the prompts and move through the package confidently.

When borrowers have questions, the AI Assistant can help you quickly look up what a document covers — so you can point to the right section and refer their questions to the right person.