Understanding Notary Credentials & Verification¶
NotaryDash verifies notary credentials before displaying them on a notary's profile. This helps signing services quickly identify qualified notaries without doing manual credential checks.
Credentials Available on the Platform¶
Notaries can submit the following credentials for verification:
W-9¶
A federal tax form that confirms the notary's legal name and taxpayer identification. Required for paying notaries for completed signings.
E&O Insurance (Errors & Omissions)¶
Professional liability insurance that covers the notary against claims of errors or omissions during a signing. The verified badge confirms an active policy was on file at the time of verification.
NNA Certification¶
Certification from the National Notary Association, which includes a background check and loan signing training. This is a common requirement for real estate and mortgage signings.
Background Check¶
A criminal background screening. The verified badge shows the certification date so you know how recent the check is.
Driver's License¶
Identity verification using a government-issued driver's license. NotaryDash verifies the name, state, and license number match the submitted document.
Notary Commission¶
The official state-issued commission that authorizes a person to perform notarial acts. NotaryDash verifies the commission against the issuing state's notary database to confirm it is active and valid.
How NotaryDash Verifies Credentials¶
The verification process works as follows:
- The notary submits a credential through their profile, uploading the relevant document or providing the required details.
- NotaryDash staff reviews the submission against the source document or official database.
- The credential is either approved — and a verified checkmark appears on the notary's profile — or rejected with a specific reason provided to the notary.
Common rejection reasons include missing attachments, credential number mismatches, incorrect dates, or incorrect coverage amounts. Notaries are notified of rejections and can resubmit corrected documents.
Notary Commissions are cross-checked against state notary databases as part of this review.
[Screenshot: Notary profile showing credential badges with verified checkmarks]
What "Verified" Means¶
A verified badge on a credential means NotaryDash staff has reviewed the submitted document and confirmed it matches the requirements. It does not mean the credential is guaranteed to be current at the moment of your signing — commissions and insurance policies have expiration dates, and circumstances can change after verification.
For time-sensitive or high-value signings, you may want to confirm key credentials directly with the notary before assigning.
[Screenshot: Close-up of credential section showing approved vs. pending badges]
Why This Matters for Your Workflow¶
Verified credentials let you:
- Filter search results to show only notaries who meet your specific requirements
- Reduce manual back-and-forth with notaries asking for credential documentation
- Make confident assignment decisions faster, especially under time pressure
- Meet lender or title company requirements that specify credential standards