How to become a Closing Agent or Signing Agent in Minnesota

1. Complete the required state Closing Agent License application
The application for an Individual Closing Agent License is found on the Pulseportal.com website. Select:  MN Department of Commerce> Choose Board: Real Esate>Licensing Services> Submit License Application> Individual (unless you own a closing company)> License Type> Closing Agent. Complete the information and pay the one-time license fee. If you do not have a personal Trust Account (which is not required – and not recommended), you must also submit a completed and notarized Trust Account Waiver Form to Licensing.Commerce@state.mn.us

2. Complete the Required Education
Obtaining your Closing Agent License makes you eligible to close for title companies, lenders, law firms, or anyone who deals with real estate. The class contains the legal content required under Statute. Minnesota does not recognize the nickname “Signing Agent or Mobile Notary,” a common name for persons who travel to meet people, check ID and notarize signatures on real estate documents. There is potentially a $10,000 fine per transaction for notarizing real estate documents without the Closing Agent License, which demonstrates a higher level of knowledge through education. The license requires information on trust accounts as well as personal information to demonstrate trustworthiness, as Closing Agents handle large sums of money and confidential information. We offer the 8 hour state approved Pre-licensed Closing Agent course.

3. Obtain Notary Commission (Note: You may want to consider doing this FIRST)
If you do not have a Notary Commission, you may want to do this first, as it is presently taking weeks for a Notary Commissions to be issued. You can complete an application for your Notary Commission with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Depending on the answers to the Notary Application, a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension background check may be performed. If a background check is performed, a copy is available to you under the Freedom of Information Act if you request it. Note that separate Commissions are required to Electronically Notarize or Remotely Notarize, and there are laws to be followed. While education is not a state requirement for notaries, you must know the correct certificates and your notary work must conform to state law. Additional Notary Training can be a game-changer for employment. To learn what a notary can and cannot do, take a Minnesota Class.National courses do not cover Minnesota laws and you don’t want to do things incorrectly. We offer the state approved Notary course.