News From AYS

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When I don’t recognize the document type

By Laura Biewer | Jul 8, 2025

When handling general mobile notary work, I receive calls for documents I many times do not recognize. Recently, I received a call to notarize an FS-240 form. I wasn’t familiar with this form so I looked it up and saw it is a vital record, just like birth records here in the US. It is…

You Did the Work, Now Get Paid!

By Laura Biewer | Jun 24, 2025

Today I helped a caller regarding tips on collecting fees from loan signings and thought there are likely others who would like those tips as well. 1) Read the agreement you signed with a signing agency (if you did) for time frames, and how they handle failed appointments/trip fees, etc so you have a standard…

A Notary’s Lending Hand

By Laura Biewer | Jun 8, 2025

Not a typical Assignment… I love when our notary community steps up to help a fellow notary! I drove to Los Banos on Saturday to deliver a trust. This client was a little unusual; no close family, did not like/trust neighbors, and no A/C in his home. Needless to say is was really hot and…

Las Vegas, a letter of observation and hope

By Laura Biewer | Oct 9, 2017

We all need coaches who can give us direction and inspiration beyond our business. I follow Brandon Burchard as one of my many coaches. In this case he give me encouragement when it is difficult to fathom a person can destroy life as the gunman did in Las Vegas. Brandon was in Las Vegas working…

Am I Sure I Want to Be My Own Boss?

By Laura Biewer | May 16, 2016

[Updated 10/31/2025] And since 2016, I’ve founded and organized one-day notary conferences, written books for the notary, and founded a coaching business. I came across this great article published  on LinkedIn by Tim Horton, about being our own boss. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/9-things-dont-tell-you-being-your-own-boss-tim-horton/ For those of you thinking about how great it is to to think about it,…