Notary Public vs. Notary Signing Agent: The Real Difference
There’s a lot of confusion between what a Notary Public is and what a Notary Signing Agent does. Here’s the truth every notary—and client—should understand.
Notary Public
A Notary Public is what you are commissioned as legally by your state government.
Your general duties are straightforward and essential:
Identify the signer
Assess willingness and awareness
Witness the signature
In most cases, signers have already reviewed their documents and simply need you to notarize.
Notary Signing Agent
A Notary Signing Agent (NSA) is not a government commission—it’s a specialized service you provide within your authority as a notary public.
This service is most often connected to real estate closings.
As a signing agent, your responsibilities go further:
Walking signers through important documents
Showing them how, where, and when to sign
Ensuring documents are executed properly
Identifying the signer, verifying willingness/awareness, and witnessing signatures
In other words, Notary + Signing Agent = Specialized Service.
Why the Distinction Matters
👉 Being a Notary Public is your legal commission.
👉 Being a Signing Agent is a service you choose to offer.
Recognizing this difference helps avoid misrepresentation and strengthens professionalism in the industry.