As a former escrow officer with years of experience, I cannot emphasize enough how important legible handwriting is for notaries public. In the world of loan signings, precision and clarity are paramount, and nothing slows down a transaction quite like the confusion that stems from illegible handwriting. Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed this issue firsthand. Documents with unreadable handwriting often cause frustration, delays, and in some cases, require the entire loan package to be redrawn and a new notary to be assigned. This not only wastes time and resources but reflects poorly on the notary’s professionalism.
Imagine this scenario: you’re in the middle of processing a critical loan document and are unable to decipher a signature or note from the notary. It’s not just a minor inconvenience; it can derail an entire transaction. In many cases, I’ve had to bring documents to other escrow officers, asking for help to decode what should have been clear and legible. In extreme cases, we’ve had to send new orders to signing companies, seeking replacements for notaries whose handwriting was simply too poor to use.
You might think that this issue is minor or rare, but it’s surprisingly common. And the excuses? I’ve heard them all:
- “Well, not everyone is good at cursive.”
- “I was in a hurry.”
- “That’s just how I write; I’ve always had bad handwriting.”
None of these excuses hold up. Not when the integrity of a loan signing is at stake. If your cursive is difficult to read, simply switch to printing. It takes little extra time, and the difference it makes is enormous. If you find yourself rushing through a signing, ask yourself: Is that worth the $200 you’re being paid for an hour of work? A rushed job that leads to unreadable documents can cost you future assignments and reflects poorly on your professionalism. And if you know you’ve always struggled with legibility, it’s time to practice or, frankly, consider whether the notary field is the right fit for you.
Legibility is not a skill that can be overlooked. It’s part of your job as a notary public, and your clients—whether they’re escrow officers, title companies, or the borrowers themselves—depend on it. In today’s technology-driven world, many people may not handwrite often, but in the notary business, handwriting is still a critical part of your role. You’re tasked with ensuring that documents are clear, legally binding, and easily understood by all parties involved.
Take the time to write legibly. If cursive isn’t your strong suit, print. Don’t rush through documents just to finish quickly, and avoid abbreviating words that might make sense to you but confuse someone else. What’s obvious to a local in your area may be completely foreign to an escrow officer out of state. Write “Los Angeles” instead of “LA” or “New York” instead of just “NY.” These extra few seconds of effort can save hours of headaches for your clients.
Cutting corners by rushing your handwriting or using unclear abbreviations doesn’t just cost others time—it could cost you future business. Escrow officers and title companies notice these details, and if they can’t read your work, they won’t be eager to work with you again.
Remember, professionalism isn’t just about showing up on time or handling documents correctly—it’s also about the small things that reflect the care you put into your work. Legible handwriting is a reflection of your dedication to providing a quality service, and it’s one of the simplest ways to ensure you’re meeting the needs of your clients.
At the end of the day, your attention to detail, including your handwriting, can make or break a transaction. Take pride in your work, and you’ll see the difference in how you’re perceived by clients and colleagues alike.
Hannah Chen
Founder & CEO
Loan Signing Solutions