What IS a Mobile Notary & Signing Agent?
My Mission
What is a Signing Agent?
What is a Notary Public?
I strive to make real estate closings convenient for borrowers, while remaining diligent to prevent mortgage fraud by properly identifying signers and performing State compliant notarization(s). I strive to provide Signers with a positive signing experience and high-level of consumer protection. I adhere to industry guidelines, the Notary Code of Conduct, and attention to detail. My clients appreciate having a skilled signing guide as the face of their financial transaction. I offer flexible start times at a location of your choosing. I make it my priority to be professional, respectful & courteous for your loan closing experience.
I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!! If I have notarized a document for you, please tell me what you enjoyed most about your notary appointment by clicking below.
What is a Notary Public?
What is a Signing Agent?
What is a Notary Public?
A Notary Public is a person of integrity, appointed by the Secretary of State to verify the identity of document signers. A Notary also performs copy certifications, administers oaths and affirmations.
Virginia Notary Publics are not required by the Virginia Secretary of State to be trained, insured, nor are they required to use a Notary Journal. However, I feel that these are very important as a professional Notary. If a Notary is ever questioned about a notarization they need to produce some proof that they properly identified their signer. My clients choose me because of my experience, knowledge and professionalism. I have been trained and certified through the National Notary Association. I've also received extensive training through various other resources including: Notary Stars, Loan Signing System, Notary Coach, Chase Mortgage and Amrock. I am a member of the National Notary Association and American Association of Notaries.
What is a Signing Agent?
What is a Signing Agent?
Virginia Association of Notaries
A Notary Signing Agent is a Notary Public that notarizes mortgage & loan documents such as: new home purchases, seller's packages, equity loans/HELOC (aka 2nd mortgage), re-finance loans, loan modifications and vehicle loans and construction loans. Notary Signing Agents are impartial witnesses who identify the signer(s), walk them through the documents, verify that all documents are signed, dated, notarized correctly and the executed documents are returned to the Title company in a timely manner.
My repeat clients include Navy Federal, Rocket Mortgage, Wells Fargo, First American, Chesapeake Bank, Atlantic Union Bank, and Mortgage Connect to name a few.
Click on the link below to learn more about the difference between a Notary Public and a Notary Signing Agent.
Virginia Association of Notaries
What do you need for a Notarization?
Virginia Association of Notaries
The Virginia Association of Notaries is the ONLY Virginia non-profit State Association FOR Notaries BY Notaries.
Their Mission is:
"To educate, empower, and support Virginia notaries by guiding them in executing their duties following the Virginia Notary laws. We represent Virginia notaries at the local and state levels. Our goal is to be a trustworthy resource for notaries to learn best practices and enhance their knowledge as credible public officials."
"V.A.N. has a growing network of seasoned Virginia Notaries with years of training and experience. Their willingness to share their time, knowledge, and experiences is what makes our mission possible.
We want Virginia Notaries to be the BEST they can be! We will connect them with top trainers whose content is “specific” to our state, and whose goal is to ensure that Notaries will be able to perform their duties with confidence." (V.A.N. website)
What do you need for a Notarization?
What do you need for a Notarization?
What do you need for a Notarization?
Proper identification is required for any notarial service. Virginia recognizes the following types of identification are valid:
- A State issued Identification card (with photo) such as a Driver's license.
- A United States Passport
- US Military identification card or DoD
- Foreign passport, if stamped by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- Green Card, Permanent residence/Alien Card (only for documents related to USCIS–e.g., Affidavit of Support)
All IDs must be current. Virginia allows a Notary to accept an expired Virginia Driver's License ONLY for nursing home residents as long as it is expired no more than 5 years. I require a 2nd form of ID if the Driver's License is expired. The above-mentioned IDs are the only Virginia-approved ID cards. Expired and/or damaged IDs may be refused at the time of service depending upon their condition.
If you are unable to provide one of these ID cards, you may be identified by oath or affirmation of two credible identifying witness who have their own valid ID.
*Notary has the right to refuse a notarization if identification is not valid/acceptable.
Disclaimers
What do you need for a Notarization?
What do you need for a Notarization?
PLEASE NOTE: providing the wrong type of document, failing to supply required witnesses, providing fraudulent identification, or requesting the wrong type of notarial service does not constitute an error on the Notary’s part.
I am not an Attorney and therefore, by law, I cannot explain or interpret the contents of any legal document for you, instruct you on how to complete a document, or direct you on the advisability of signing a particular document. By doing so, I would be engaging in the unauthorized practice of law and could face legal penalties that include the possibility of incarceration. Any important questions about your document should be addressed to the issuing/receiving agency or an attorney. I can not handle any money or escrow as restricted by Virginia law.
All parties signing must be conscious and cognizant (in a healthy state of mind) in order to sign before a Notary. All signers must be signing of their own free-will and without coercion. If I feel that the signer is mentally incompetent to sign documents or if I feel that the signer is being coerced I have the right to refuse a notarization.
*Notary has the right to refuse a notarization if Notary feels the signer is being coerced or if they are not of sound mind and don't understand what they are signing.
Affiliations
Your Mobile Notary - Aleena "Ally" Ward
About Me
I grew up on a farm in southern New Jersey and moved to a ranch in Colorado during my teenage years. I finished middle school and high school in Colorado while helping my Dad run a custom hay-cutting business. Growing up on a farm taught me a strong work ethic. After high school, I moved to Utah and completed my Office Management Certificate and Associate Science Degree. In 1999, I moved to Oregon and spent 2 years doing administrative work for a construction & property management business and then an auto dealership conglomerate. In 2002, I moved to Williamsburg, Virginia where I met my husband, Shawn, and later settled in Middlesex County. While working full-time at the Tides Inn I finished my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Human Resources. Shawn & I married in 2008, we have a daughter named Caroline. Through the years I have worked for several organizations including Cale Realty Co., The Tides Inn, HMP Hotels, and currently Lancaster Co. Sheriff's Office. I served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer for Healy's Mill Home Owners Association from 2012-2020. I am a Founding Member of the Virginia Association of Notaries and served as a Board Member from 2022-2024. I am currently the Vice Chair of the Middlesex Republican Committee.
Honesty & Integrity
Working for a law enforcement agency I understand the importance of honesty and integrity. I strive to be transparent and professional in all my dealings. I want to make sure all parties involved in the signing process are comfortable and confident in their notarized transaction. I will never bully or coerce anyone into signing a document.
My Motivation & Cause
I wouldn't be able to balance work and family life without the help and encouragement of my husband and my wonderful in-laws. Shawn helps me be a better person and together we provide for our daughter, Caroline. I can't imagine my life without Shawn and Caroline.
I believe in giving back to my community and have made a goal to donate blood to the American Red Cross 100 times before I turn 65 years old. Blood donation is a simple and priceless sacrifice that I can make that will make a difference to someone in need. You never know who might need it.
I also believe in supporting Veterans and law enforcement, because 'freedom is not free'. I stand for those who no longer can because of the ultimate sacrifice they made for our country. I support the Wounded Warrior Foundation and the Police Benevolent Association. I am a member of the Virginia Sheriff's Association and support our 2nd Amendment Rights.