Most title companies require using their own notaries for real estate closings to maintain chain of custody, ensure compliance with specific lender instructions, and manage liability. While your own notary is legally valid in Nevada, title companies contractually mandate their selected notaries. Using an unauthorized notary can lead to rejection, closing delays, or escrow complications.

Why Title Companies Insist on Their Notaries:

Title companies coordinate with lenders, insurers, and county recorders—all of whom have specific requirements. They need notarization consistency and direct communication with the notary handling your closing. They also carry errors & omissions (E&O) insurance that covers their contracted notaries, which may not apply to independent notaries.

🔑 Can You Use Your Own Notary?

In rare cases, yes—but only with prior written approval from:

• The title company (may have exceptions for scheduling conflicts)
• Your lender (may require their approval)
• The seller's title company (if using separate title agents)

📋 Legitimate Reasons for Exception Requests:

• Your notary has existing relationship and coordination history
• Title company's notary has scheduling conflicts or excessive travel costs
• Out-of-state remote notarization is the only practical option
• Your notary is bonded, insured, and Nevada-commissioned

⚠️ Best Practice:

Always disclose your preferred notary to the title company early in the transaction. Get written approval in advance. If they refuse and delays occur, professional notaries in Summerlin and Water Street can coordinate with title company staff to facilitate acceptance or serve as backup if needed.

Related Questions

• What Happens If a Deed Is Notarized Incorrectly—Can It Be Fixed?
• How Do You Close Real Estate When Buyer Is Out of State and Can't Attend Closing in Person?
• Why Do Banks Refuse to Notarize Documents They Prepared?

Many procedural stipulations between counsel are filed with signatures only. Notarization becomes necessary or strategically useful when the stipulation disposes of rights or a case outcome. Examples include a stipulated divorce decree, a final disposition, or a dismissal with prejudice. Using a Nevada acknowledgment confirms identity and voluntary execution, which reduces questions about signature validity and helps clerks accept the filing on first review.

We meet attorneys and clients near Symphony Park, Town Square Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Arts District, and Centennial Hills Town Center. Need witnesses for settlement paperwork? See Notary with Witnesses Provided, plus Affidavits and Power of Attorney.

Out-of-state buyers have three primary options for closing when they cannot attend in person: Remote Online Notarization (RON), local notarization in their home state, or coordinating a mobile notary to travel. Remote Online Notarization is increasingly accepted by title companies and Nevada lenders, allowing the buyer to sign and notarize documents via secure video call from anywhere, eliminating the need for travel or complex multi-state coordination.

Option 1: Remote Online Notarization (RON) ⭐ Recommended

• Buyer signs documents via video with commissioned Nevada eNotary
• No travel required; all-digital workflow
• Nevada law recognizes RON for real estate transactions
• Typically completes in 1-2 business days
• Lower cost than travel or apostille alternatives
• Title company must approve RON platform in advance

Option 2: Home State Notarization (More Complex)

• Buyer uses local notary in their home state
• Notarization must be recognized in Nevada (reciprocity applies)
• May require apostille certification for multi-state validity
• Coordination required with title company & lender
• Potential delays due to notary availability mismatch
• More expensive (notarization + apostille fees)

Option 3: Notary Travel (Premium Option)

• Mobile notary travels to buyer's location for in-person signing
• Rarely done due to cost and logistics
• Only practical for high-value transactions or complex situations

✅ Best Practice for Nevada Property Buyers:

Early communication is critical. Contact your title company within days of purchase agreement to confirm they support Remote Online Notarization. Many do. If your title company doesn't support RON, explore Option 2 with their guidance on apostille requirements. Lake Mead Mobile Notary provides real estate closing coordination, connecting out-of-state buyers with certified notaries in Las Vegas and Summerlin to streamline closing timelines.

Related Questions

• Are You Allowed to Use Your Own Notary for Real Estate Closing Instead of Title Company's?
• What Happens If a Deed Is Notarized Incorrectly—Can It Be Fixed?
• How Do You Notarize Event Contracts When Vendor and Client Live in Different States?

Yes. Nevada law (NRS 108.270) requires you to send certified mail, return receipt requested, to both the registered owner AND all lienholders shown on the DMV title record. Missing either notification invalidates your entire VP-147 lien sale process, even if you properly notified the owner. This is the number one reason auction houses reject VP-147 submissions from tow operators.

The confusion is understandable. A former tow operator explains on automotive forums: "Tow company has to send 3 certified letters to both the titled owner and the lien holder over about 6 week period before they can lien sale the vehicle." But what happens when the lienholder is a bank that merged, went out of business, or has an outdated address on the DMV record?

📋 Nevada's Dual Notification Requirement Explained:

• Registered owner notification: Required because they own the vehicle subject to the lien. Must use address from DMV registration records, even if you know it's outdated
• Lienholder notification: Required because they have a secured interest in the vehicle. The lender loaned money against the vehicle and has first rights to any sale proceeds
• Multiple lienholders: If DMV records show two lienholders (first lien and second lien), you must notify both separately
• Timing: Send both certified letters on the same day; the 30-day waiting period runs from the date of mailing

⚠️ What If You Can't Find Current Lienholder Information? If the lienholder on DMV records is a bank that no longer exists (merged, acquired, or failed), you have several options:

• Research the successor bank: Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia, Chase acquired WaMu, etc. Send certified mail to the current entity at their registered agent address
• Contact Nevada DMV Title Research: They can sometimes provide updated lienholder contact information for lien sale purposes ($15 title search fee)
• Document your good-faith effort: Keep records of your research attempts (internet searches, phone calls to bank customer service, successor bank inquiries). If certified mail returns undeliverable, this documentation supports your VP-147
• Consider legal consultation: For high-value vehicles or complex lien situations, consult an attorney before proceeding with lien sale. Wrongful sale to a vehicle with valid lien = potential lawsuit

💡 The Most Common Mistake: Tow operators send certified mail only to the registered owner, assuming the bank "knows" the vehicle was towed because the owner stopped making payments. Wrong. The lienholder must receive independent notification of the impending lien sale. Without proof of certified mail to the lienholder (green return receipt or returned undeliverable envelope), your notarized VP-147 affidavit will be rejected by Pahrump auctions, Copart, IAA, and DMV during title transfer processing.

🏢 We provide on-site VP-147 notarization at tow yards throughout Aliante, North Las Vegas, and Clark County. During your notarization appointment, we can review your certified mail documentation to ensure both owner and lienholder notifications are properly documented before you sign the affidavit under oath.

Related Questions

• What if certified mail comes back undeliverable or refused? Can I still do lien sale?
• After lien sale, do I owe the owner or bank any excess money from the auction?
• Who at my tow company can sign VP-147? Manager or owner only?