Mobile Notary Diaries: How Notarizing for Hollywood’s Elite Got Me Out of Debt and Into My First Home

Do you dream of being a millionaire? Maybe you have an ongoing fantasy of sleeping on a bed of one hundred dollar bills. Or maybe it’s a recurring daydream about pulling up to your Manhattan Beach mansion in your Tesla Roadster. Ahhh, you can practically taste the top-shelf cocktail your pool boy brings you as you work on your tan. Absolute bliss.

Now, unfortunately, I can’t help you with that. But…I can tell you how I, a struggling actor with a mountain of debt, was able to quit my soul-sucking customer service job, get out of debt, buy my first home, and give myself the time and creative freedom to pursue my dream of acting in film and television. Even if you’re not an actor, you might want to stick around if the following ideas appeal to you:

A) Quitting the job that is slowly chipping away at your entire being.

B) Getting out of debt.

C) Buying a Home.

D) Having full control over your own schedule so you can have more time to [insert favorite activity].

The Big Idea

At the start of 2016, I had nowhere to go but up. I had a 9-5 job in customer service that was supposed to be flexible, and yet, anytime I needed to leave (in my case, for an audition), the phones started ringing off the hook. Luckily, my supervisor solved the problem by suggesting I reschedule the audition for another day. Because it totally works like that. Spoiler alert: it does NOT work like that.

I was frustrated. My job sucked, I had just opened up another credit card (gotta love that 0% Intro APR), and I was no closer to realizing my dream. I felt stuck. So I did what any frustrated person at the end of their rope would do. I got on Facebook.

Ok, I know that Facebook hasn’t been cool since 2010 but I am a huge fan of Facebook Groups. In fact, I have found many a great resource in one group in particular so I started there. I started searching for any and all keyword combinations: “survival job”, “remote job”, “flexible job”, “great job for creatives”.

I saw hundreds of babysitting gigs; however, seeing that most children cry within 40 seconds of meeting me, I didn’t feel like it was a good fit. Not surprisingly, I also saw a lot of waitstaff jobs. And while I respect the service industry (tip your waiters, friends), I promise you that I am doing the world a favor by NOT being a waiter.

Then I saw it. One post from just a few months before.

I messaged her on the spot and got an interview.

What is a Notary?

I had heard of notaries. I had even had to use a UPS notary once or twice. But honestly, I didn’t quite understand what a notary was or how I was supposed to make cash doing it. After a quick Google search, I found that a notary public is a certified professional that serves as a witness to the signing of important documents.

Having a trained, impartial representative present during these signings helps deter fraud and provides legal integrity. A notary public will ensure every person signing the document at hand is in their right mind, understands the contents of the document, and is, in fact, signing willingly.

A notary public is a truly unbias third party. Every certified notary public is bound by an oath to act objectively. Therefore, if a notary finds themselves in a professional situation in which they have a personal interest, they must gracefully refer the client to another notary public.

The Interview

So I admit, I was a little nervous about the concept of being a notary public. The second a saw words and phrases like “certified professional”, “oath”, and “deter fraud”, I had a crisis of confidence. My customer service job consisted of me sitting on the couch in my leggings whilst troubleshooting pretty low-stakes problems. No legal documents. And definitely no oaths.

I figured I was way under-qualified but I was also desperate. So I put on my smartest blazer – fine, my only blazer that I kept exclusively for “detective” and “attorney” auditions – and decided that I would use my acting training to act the part of a notary public.

The interview was at a hip coffee shop in Eagle Rock. I instantly spotted Rachel. She sported a pile of gorgeous curls and an effortlessly cool vibe. But her look was more boho-chic than business professional. I instantly felt like an asshole for wearing a blazer to a hip coffee shop to interview with a cool girl who was only a few years older than me.

Luckily, she was more interested in me as a person than my blazer OR my ability to deliver an oath. We talked for a solid hour and a half. I told her about how my current job was sucking my soul and she told me about how owning her own mobile notary business allows her to spend time with her daughter and make music (she is a uber-talented recording artist). Once she decided I was a responsible person with decent social skills, she filled me in on the job.

What Does a Notary Do Actually?

What does a notary do? In Rachel’s terms, the job sounded a lot more chill and fun than my Google search had led me to believe. A notary public would:

Show up to the signing.
Check the driver’s license or other acceptable identification.
Assess the situation to make sure nothing weird was going on (i.e. everyone was there of their own free will).
Confirm the signer understood the documents.
Perform the jurat or the acknowledgment.
Have the client sign the notary journal and thumbprint (if necessary).
Collect payment.

Best of all, the law does not allow notaries to give legal advice. Whew!

Now, historically, notaries make their money from the signature fee. Unfortunately, a notary public only makes $15 per signature ($10 back in 2016 when I started). Not exactly a get rich quick scheme.

Luckily, she explained, that’s where the travel fee comes in.

Mobile Notary | Traveling Notary

Rachel wasn’t just any notary. She was a mobile notary or a traveling notary. Who has the money to pay for a notary public to come to their office and perform a notarization? People with – well – money! I’m pretty sure I can’t disclose who was on her client list but if I did, you wouldn’t need a Google search to know who they were.

What I can say is: stars are a lot like us. Turns out, rappers buy mansions, famed actresses go through divorces, Oscar winners start businesses, and studio execs have to give a legal okay for their ex-spouse to take the kids to Europe for the summer. See? We’re basically the same.

As a mobile notary, you still charge for signatures, but the money is in the travel. Depending on what area of LA, what time of day, and how bad traffic is, mobile notary travel costs could range from $60 – $500.

Pop Quiz: you know when auditions do NOT take place? Midnight. Do you know who was more than willing to take those $500 jobs? This girl.

How To Become a Notary Public

I was in. Rachel was awesome, her commission structure was attractive, and as long as I got certified ASAP, she said she would take me under her wing and train me so I could start making money. I was excited and I was ready for a change. But first I had to get certified.

So how did I become a notary public? Now, the process varies by state but overall, it’s pretty standard:

Take an online course.
Complete the application.
Take a state-administered exam.
Fingerprint Scan | Background Check.
Purchase a $15,000 Bond for $38 to protect yourself against financial loss.
File your bond and take an oath of office (not as scary as it seemed) within 30 days at the county clerk office.
Buy your notary swag – i.e. notary stamp, notary journal, etc.
Get E&O (errors and omissions insurance). This is not mandatory but I highly recommend unless you are a robot, free from human error.

National Notary Association | NNA

When becoming a mobile notary public, your biggest resource will definitely be the National Notary Association, also known as NNA. I used the NNA as a one-stop-shop: from training to getting my E&O. They make it super easy for you by giving you specific instructions, based on the state you live in. 10/10, highly recommend!

Mobile Notary: A Day In The Life Of

Admittedly, it was slow to start. First, I had to invest in myself. You know what they say – you have to spend money to make money. And it wasn’t just the certification costs.

While Rachel’s go-to aesthetic was boho-hippie-flower child, she looked like a BOSS when she was on the job. Think blazer, a cute top, slacks or nice jeans, and heels. Oh, and she always paired her boss babe look with a power purse. Think about it, as a traveling notary public, you are carrying a huge binder filled with notary supplies that include:

Notarization forms.
Pens.
Notary stamp.
Notary journal.
Ink (for thumbprints).
Alcohol wipes (because who wants blue ink on their thumb all day).

Then, Rachel had to train me. I spent a few weeks accompanying her to jobs. I’d watch her make chit-chat, notarize documents, and collect payment until I had the process down. Then we reversed our roles. She would accompany me on jobs, watch me make chit-chat, notarize a document, and collect payment. After a week or so of this, I was ready to be released into the wild.

As a mobile notary, I had complete control over my own schedule. So if I didn’t have any auditions on the books, I would get dressed in my professional attire (happy to report that I had upgraded my ho-hum blazer to something a little more stylish) and wait for the jobs to role in. Basically, I would get a text that looked something like this:

3PM, 1001 Hollywood Blvd, Suite B. 3 sigs. $70 travel.

To which I would respond:

Confirmed.

Oftentimes, it felt we were planning seedy, back-alley deals. The texts were spontaneous and only included the necessary information. But even though the technology was pretty basic, it worked well. I would confirm my job, jump in the car – allowing plenty of time for traffic and parking – perform the notarization, and then on to the next one.

Some days were non-stop. Some days were radio silent. But most days consisted of a handful of jobs that had me moving at a comfortable pace. And even when I had downtime in between the jobs, I didn’t mind. I’d stop in to see a friend (if I had one in that neighborhood), try a new coffee spot, or work on auditions.

It wasn’t long before I settled into my new workflow. I had my routine down and I was making money. But there was one added benefit that I didn’t expect: major self-confidence.

Mobile Notary: From Zero To Hero

I didn’t realize how much I needed this job until I had it. Before I became a mobile notary, my day consisted of never leaving my home, not having control over my own schedule, and being yelled at by disgruntled customers. To add insult to injury, I was in Los Angeles! I was in the city where the magic happens and yet, I had to repeatedly miss out on opportunities to keep a roof over my head. There’s something brutal about watching your dream come true in your backyard, but for other people.

I look back at 2016 as the year my life changed and this job was a huge part of that. Not only did it give me complete control of my schedule but it got me outside meeting people, many of whom are pretty influential in entertainment. Of course, I would never bring a headshot with me when I had a studio job but if it naturally comes up in conversation, then it is what it is.

Being a businesswoman gave me self-confidence that extended to all facets of my life. After all, work begets work. Happiness begets happiness. Now, 3 years later, I am happy to report that I was able to dig myself out of credit card debt, buy my first home, and my acting career has moved forward leaps and bounds. I’ve worked on some pretty amazing projects, including an Emmy-nominated show, a superhero franchise, and a movie about a famed political activist that hits theaters in 2020, and that’s just this year.

Now, all I’m waiting for is an opportunity to work with one of the actors I’ve notarized for. Talk about worlds colliding.

By: Chelsea Alana Rivera

Chelsea Alana Rivera is an actor, writer, and mobile notary. She’s appeared in The Glorias, Council of Dads, Doom Patrol, and The Act. When Chelsea isn’t notarizing documents or acting, she is hanging with her overlord – a 5 lb. maltipoo.

About The Author

Chelsea Rivera

Subordination Agreement: All Your Questions Answered

/ Uncategorized / By Chelsea Rivera

There may come a time in your life where you decide to take out a loan. Borrowing money comes in many forms. Student loans, mortgages, and auto loans are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. In some occasions, a borrower may struggle to pay back money borrowed. If that is the case, a subordination agreement may come into play. Whether you are a borrower or a lender, it is important to know the ins and outs of how loans work. Read on to find out everything you need to know about loans and subordination agreements.

What is a Subordination Agreement?

Every now and again when someone takes out a loan, they default on their payments. Translation: they fiscally cannot pay back their loan. In modern-day terms, you may call this “ghosting” on your loan payments. In some cases, these outstanding loans are one of many loans held by a specific person. What that happens, the lenders of each loan are ranked in a legal document called a subordination agreement. This document details the order in which the lenders will be paid back. In these type of situations, the debtor may have to file for bankruptcy and liquidate their assets in order to pay their outstanding debts.

What is Subordination?

To further understand a subordination agreement document, let’s break down what the process of subordination is. Subordination is the process in which creditors are placed in order of importance to be paid back.

Let’s say a debtor has three creditors. For the sake of this example, let’s call these creditors A, B, and C. If “A” is the primary creditor, they will get paid back first. Lenders B and C, on the other hand, are subordinates. B and C will only be paid back when A is back in full.

Understanding Loans

Before we dive any deeper into the mechanics of subordination agreements, lets back up a few steps and talk about loans. A loan is a financial agreement in which a person or business borrows money from an establishment with the expectation that they will pay it back over time, plus interest. Loan agreements take many forms. A blossoming small business may borrow money from a bank to open a second location. Or even more simply, a person may borrow money from a family member to help finance the advancement of their education. Let’s discuss a few of these terms in more detail.

Lender vs. Borrower

A loan is a basic example of a give and take relationship. A borrower is an entity that is requesting money. Borrowers can be a single person or represent an entire company or establishment.

On the “give” side of the equation is the lender. Sometimes referred to as a creditor, the lender is the person or establishment providing the money for the loan. As with the borrower, the lender can be a single person or a big business. Your Grandpa Joe can be your creditor just like a big bank can, but maybe with slightly shallower pockets.

What is Interest?

When a lender provides a borrower with money, they look at it as an investment. Therefore, they hope and expect to make some money off of the exchange. The terms of the loan will typically define a payment plan broken down in installments, plus interest. Interest is essentially the cost of borrowing money. Interest rate is a percentage of the amount loaned that is paid on top of the money borrowed.

Let’s say you borrow $1,000 with an interest rate of 5%. If you pay your creditor back all at once you would pay them $1,050. Additionally, your loan may allow you to pay in monthly installments of $100/month. That $100 is paying off the principle, or the original amount borrowed. Once interest is in the mix, your monthly payment would amount to $105.

Subordination Agreement: The Mechanics of It All

Now that we have deconstructed the basics of a loan, let’s discuss how subordination agreements work. First of all, subordination agreements are usually prompted by the creditor themselves. This is an added layer of protection on their investment. That is to say, these agreements are a sort of insurance on investments. The agreement will detail the terms of the loan and ensure the creditor will boast primary repayment benefits. Subordination agreements require notarization to be valid.

Subordination agreements are utilized in real estate transactions. For example, when someone takes out a loan to purchase a house, they typically enter into a mortgage agreement. It is incredibly common for people to take out a second mortgage on a home or property. This decision may be purely opportunity based, perhaps another bank is offering a lower interest rate on mortgages. Sometimes, the choice is more need-based, due to financial hardships making consistent payments. Whatever the reason, banks know borrowers often seek the aid of a secondary loan. Therefore, many mortgage creditors require their clients to sign a subordination agreement.

Secondary Lenders

When a new creditor joins the party, they should be informed that they are not the first to arrive. Lending to a borrower with existing loans is a risky move for creditors. The likelihood of getting paid back is reduced when a lender owes on multiple loans. However, as the saying goes, the higher the risk the higher the reward. Secondary lenders will charge a higher interest rate, to cover the risk involved in making the loan.

However, it should be noted that secondary, or subordinate, lenders often times do not get paid back at all. You can see why this is a risky move for creditors.

Types of Subordination Agreements

Subordination agreements are frequently used in mortgage and real estate loans. However, subordination agreements have also been used in corporate debt structures as well.

Namely, these type of agreements are in reference to secured and unsecured bonds.

Secured Bond – When a bond is considered “secured” the bond-holder with pledge an asset as collateral. An asset is anything of value (cars, property, money) that a person or business owns. Collateral is when a borrower uses their assets to secure a loan. If a borrower defaults this type of agreement, the creditor can seize the asset(s) pledged as collateral
Unsecured Bond – On the other hand, unsecured loans are not secured by the promise of collateral. Naturally, unsecured loans and bonds are riskier investments for creditors. Cell phone bills, utility and medical bills, and credit cards are all examples of unsecured loans

In terms of corporate subordination agreements, secured bonds are the primary beneficially. Conversely, unsecured bonds are subordinate. Therefore, unsecured bonds are paid back after secured bonds.

Subordination Agreement Example

Since real estate subordination agreements are the most common, let’s use a mortgage deal as an example. Let’s say a person owes $260,000 on their primary mortgage (also known as “senior debt”). Additionally, they take out a second mortgage (aka subordinate loan) in which they still owe $95,000. Financial distress leads to defaulted payments and having to file for bankruptcy. When their assets are liquidated the debtor has a cash value of $290,000.

First, the primary mortgage of $260,000 will be paid off in full. This leaves only $30,000 left to pay secondary loans. Meaning, the subordinate lender will lose $65,000 of their original $95,000 amount loaned. This is a particularly dire example, but often times subordinate lenders will only make 50 cents on the dollar back.

If someone has multiple subordinate lenders, the remaining $30,000 would be equally distributed amongst them.

Bonus Loan Terms

In order to better understand loans and subordinate agreements, it is helpful to learn a few bonus terms. Specifically, we are going to go over three terms: lienholder, refinancing, and postponement.

Lienholder Definition

Anytime you borrow money to purchase a specific item (house, car, etc), the creditor is also considered a lienholder. This means that legally, they own the property until you pay back the loan in full. A lienholder can be anyone who provides money for the loan. Individuals, big financial institutions, and private banks can all be lienholders.

Refinancing Meaning

As discussed, subordination agreements are commonly used regarding property loans and mortgages. When someone takes out an additional mortgage, they are likely doing so to help pay off the original mortgage or get a lower interest rate. This is called refinancing. When you refinance a mortgage, the new loan will actively pay off your original loan. The idea is that you have made a significant dent on paying the original mortgage already. That way, you are borrowing less than before, which will likely come with a lower interest rate and help you save some money on your original mortgage.

Postponement Definition

To continue rolling with examples related to mortgages, let’s talk about postponements. When a borrower defaults on a mortgage, there is a possibility of foreclosure. This process is long and expensive. Foreclosure is a detriment to both the borrower and the lender. If foreclosure is a looming possibility, a postponement may be a positive alternative.

Simply put, the lender will work with the borrower to reassess the terms of the original loan. Most likely, they will push back the due dates, giving the borrower more time to pay the loan back. This keeps the borrower from a credit nightmare and saves the lender countless dollars in legal fees involved in foreclosures. Better yet, the lender will also stand to make more money on the higher interest rates they can now charge.

Subordination Agreement Template

There are countless subordination agreement templates available online. Most leave cavities for you to fill in with specific information like the date, details of the loan, and space for a notary public to sign and stamp the document.

Keep in mind that subordination agreements are complex legal documents. Therefore, you may want to consider having your attorney look it over before you sign it.

What’s the Deal with Notarization?

As previously mentioned, subordination agreements need to be notarized to be legally binding. If you are unfamiliar with this term, a notarization is a vital form of fraud deterrent. A person called a notary public will the identity of a signer, as well as the authenticity of the document they are signing.

What Happens During a Notarization?

While notarizations are relatively simple acts, they help legitimize documents and prevent fraud. Below are the five steps to getting a document notarized.

1. Physically Visiting a Notary

First of all, it is vital to understand that notarization is a person-to-person exchange. Therefore, it is vital to physically visit a notary in person. With the constant growth of the digital world, more and more business is taking to the internet. However, almost every state in America still requires notarizations to take place in the physical presence of a certified notary public.

Currently, only five states currently allow virtual notarizations: Texas, Virginia, Montana, Minnesota, and Nevada. However, in-person notarizations are more effective at protecting you from liability and fraud.

2. Check the Document

Every state has different laws regarding certain aspects of the document itself during a notarization. For example, some states require no field be left blank in documents getting notarized. On the other hand, some states allow blank spaces. It is important to educate yourself on your state-specific notary laws and requirements. No matter what, it is a good idea to visit a notary with a completed document. However, do not sign the document until in the physical presence of a notary.

A notary is mainly going to check that the name on your identification matches the name on the document.

Notary Public vs. Lawyer

Let’s take a quick pause to discuss the role of a notary public in your document. It is vital to understand that a notary is not a legal representative. They are not there to double check the legalese of your document. Furthermore, notaries are not allowed to legally consult, draft, or advise you regarding the contents of your document.

If you have any questions regarding the content of the document you are getting notarized, be sure to chat with your attorney first.

3. Confirmation of Identity

Accurately identifying signers is the cornerstone of a successful notarization. When visiting a notary, it is vital to bring along a valid form of acceptable photo identification. The most widely accepted forms of identification are a driver’s license or passport. Certain states may also accept state-issued i.d. cards or military identification cards. Birth certificates, social security cards, and credit cards are not acceptable forms of identification.

Moreover, proper identification means more than simply comparing a face and name to an i.d. card. In fact, correctly identifying someone also calls for confirmation of consent and understanding. When you visit a notary, they will ask you if you are choosing to sign the document by choice and at your own free will. Furthermore, they will ensure that you understand the contents of the document in full.

4. Notary Journal Entry

Journals are for more than logging the details of adolescent crushes. In fact, notary journals are a valued tool of the trade. Notary journals provide an added layer of protection in notarizations.

Specific details kept in a notaries journal may vary by state. Common notary journal entries include:

Date, time, and location of the notarization
Type of notarization (Jurat or Acknowdgement)
The type of document Notarized (Property Deed, Subordination Agreement, Mortgage, etc)
Name and address of all document signers
Forms of I.D. used to identify each signer
Price of the notarization
Signature of everyone who signed the document
The right thumbprint of anyone who signed the document

5. Fill Out the Notary Certificate

Some documents will already have a special section designated for the actual notarization. For example, most subordination agreements will include space for notarization within the document itself. However, it is entirely common for documents to leave this out of the actual document. If that is the case, the notary will attach a separate notary certificate to the document.

Whether within the document or attached, this space will be where the notary signs and stamps the document. A notaries stamp is unique to them. Notary stamps detail their name, state of commission, and commission expiration date. Most notaries official commission lasts for four years at a time. However, the expiration date stamped on your document does not affect the validity of your document. The expiration date only marks the expiration of that particular notaries current commission.

Where to Locate a Notary Near You

Congratulations! You now know what happens during a notarization. However, you may still be wondering where to find a notary public. Fortunately, you don’t have to go far to find one. With over four million notaries nationwide, you can easily find a notary near you. Read on to find a few places to start your notary search.

1. Credit Unions and Banks

Most notarizations deal with documents of a legal or financial nature. Therefore, it makes total sense to find notaries working in your local banks. Even better, if you are an account holding member at a bank, you may benefit from complimentary notary services.

2. Local Businesses

Many businesses find it beneficial to have a notary on staff. This not only expedites internal business but is a nice community bonus. Some places to look for a notary:

Car Dealerships
Home and Auto Insurance Agencies
AAA Offices
Colleges and Universities
Real Estate Offices
Public Libraries

Be sure to call ahead to confirm notary availability and pricing. Furthermore, keep in mind that notaries are servants of the public. Therefore, you do not have to be a customer or a client at any of the above institutions to access their notary.

3. Government Buildings

Many local government agencies will have a notary available on site. Local courthouses, town halls, or county clerk’s offices may have a notary for community use.

4. Mobile Notary

Better yet, live in the lap of luxury and have a notary come straight to you! For the ultimate in ease and efficiency, many metropolitan areas boast the services of mobile notaries. These notaries will come directly to you at your home or workplace. Keep in mind that you will have to pay an added fee to cover the notaries travel time and expense. However, convenience is worth the cost.

Subordination Agreement: In Conclusion

At the end of the day, loans can be a slippery slope for both the borrower and the lender. Ceratin legal documents protect everyone involved. Subordination agreements ensure that a primary lender will be paid in the event the borrower takes on more debt. As with most legal documents, subordination agreements need to be notarized in order to be official in the eyes of the law. Now, go forth and borrow and buy responsibly!