Smoky Mountain Notary

08/29/2026

Get your business in front of Knoxville-area homeowners - at the exact time they may be looking for someone like you.

I complete more than 100 real estate signings a month, including refinances, HELOCs, purchases, and clients who have recently moved to East Tennessee. Many of these appointments take place right at the homeowner’s kitchen table.

And I’m constantly asked:

“Do you know a good roofer?”
“Do you know someone who does tree work?”
“Who do you recommend for fencing, painting, remodeling, pet sitting, or lawn care?”

So I’m creating a better way to connect my clients with local businesses.

My clients receive their important documents in a professional folder they’re likely to keep in their home for years - not a flyer that gets tossed in the trash.

Starting with my next batch of folders, I’ll be offering limited advertising space to select local service businesses.

Your business could be placed directly in the hands of someone who:

• Just purchased a home
• Just refinanced
• Took out a HELOC for home improvements
• Recently moved to the Knoxville area
• Or is newly married and starting the next chapter of their life

⭐ ONE BUSINESS PER CATEGORY

You won’t be sharing space with your direct competitors.

Because I work closely with Realtors, title companies, lenders, escrow professionals, and attorneys, I’m keeping those industries out of this program to avoid any appearance of conflict and protect those professional relationships.

I’m looking for roofers, plumbers, electricians, remodelers, painters, fence companies, landscapers, tree services, house cleaners, pet sitters, HVAC companies, junk removal, dumpster rental, and other local service providers.

📌 YOUR BUSINESS STAYS IN THE HOME - NOT IN THE TRASH.

Advertising will be offered in six-month terms.

Message me for pricing and available categories.

📞 Call or text: 865-386-7398
✉️ Email: [email protected]

08/28/2026

I’ve been reading so many tributes to Dolly, and one thing I hope never gets lost is just how much she gave back to Sevier County, East Tennessee and the people of Appalachia.

Long before the Imagination Library became known around the world, Dolly was already investing in children right here at home.

Through the Dollywood Foundation’s Buddy Program, Sevier County students were paired up and promised $500 each if BOTH graduated high school. The dropout rate for those classes dropped from 35% to 6%.

After the devastating 2016 wildfires, Dolly’s My People Fund gave families who lost their homes $1,000 a month for six months. When donations exceeded expectations, the final payment was increased to $5,000 — bringing the total to $10,000 for more than 900 families. Another $3 million was committed to long-term recovery.

She also helped raise and contribute money toward LeConte Medical Center, supported a permanent sanctuary for non-releasable bald eagles at Dollywood, and after Hurricane Helene, personally donated $1 million to relief efforts while her businesses and foundation contributed another $1 million.

And then there is the Imagination Library.

Dolly started it in Sevier County in 1995 because her daddy couldn’t read or write. Before he passed, he told her it was probably the most important thing she had ever done.

Today, hundreds of millions of books have been given to children through that program.

Dolly could have become famous, made her fortune and left these mountains behind.

She didn’t.

She kept giving back to the people, children, families, wildlife and communities that shaped her.

That is the part of her legacy I hope people never forget.

She never forgot where she came from. ❤️

Rest in peace, Dolly. 🇺🇸
East Tennessee will never be quite the same without you.

08/26/2026

🐾 National Dog Day is August 26! 🐾

Around here, dogs aren’t just pets — they’re family. ❤️

Whether you have a loyal companion, a tiny four-legged boss, a rescue who stole your heart, or a senior pup who’s been by your side for years, National Dog Day is the perfect excuse to spoil them a little extra. 🐶

And yes — Smoky Mountain Notary is absolutely pet-friendly!

If I come to your home for an appointment, you do NOT need to put your dog away. I will never ask you to put your dog up just because I’m there to notarize documents.

And if your appointment requires witnesses, I only work with dog-friendly witnesses too. 🐾

Your pets live there. I’m the guest. 😊

Give your dog an extra treat, an extra walk, or a few extra belly rubs for National Dog Day.

📸 Drop a picture of your dog in the comments — I’d love to see them!

08/24/2026

Are you moving from 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗲 but still have a house or property back in California that needs to close?

You may NOT have to fly back just to sign and notarize documents. ✈️

I work with California title companies, escrow professionals, and California notaries to provide 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 when their clients need a remote option.

So if you've already made it to Knoxville or East Tennessee but your California real-estate transaction hasn't caught up with you yet, we may be able to handle your signing securely online from your new home.

And here's something a lot of people don't realize:

👉 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀.

I'm also an 𝗙𝗔𝗔 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟭𝟬𝟳 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁, so if you're still in California and house hunting here in East Tennessee, I can help you get a better look at a property with ground photos and aerial footage—or connect you with a trusted local real-estate agent.

🏠 California property on one coast.

🌄 New Tennessee home on the other.

💻 Remote notarization can help bridge the gap.

There are ways to make the transition a whole lot easier.

𝗜 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗴:
https://smokymtnnotary.com/blog/f/california-to-tennessee-ron-keeps-your-closing-on-track

08/23/2026

I had a busy week last week with 15 Sign & Go marriages! 💍❤️

If you want a quick, simple courthouse-style marriage without the expense or planning of a traditional ceremony, my Sign & Go service may be exactly what you’re looking for.

I offer Sign & Go marriages in the Knoxville area for couples who just want to keep things easy and make it official.

And if I’m unavailable- or you’re looking for something a little more involved than a Sign & Go - I have a great network of trusted officiant colleagues I can connect you with.

📞 Call or message me if you’re ready to get married! 865-386-7398

08/21/2026

This is an interesting read for notaries and a good look at some of the issues being discussed at the national level.

The National Notary Association recently participated in the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) (NASS) summer conference, where Notary commissioning officials and industry stakeholders discussed issues affecting the profession, including deed fraud, Remote Online Notarization, compliance, investigations, training standards, journal requirements and stronger protections against fraud.

One thing that really stands out to me is the growing focus on better education, stronger standards and accountability for Notaries.

Since COVID, we’ve seen a huge increase in people becoming Notaries, and in many states the barrier to entry is still extremely low. When someone can become commissioned with very little training or understanding of the responsibility involved, it creates problems not only for the public, but for the profession as a whole.

A Notary isn’t just someone with a stamp.

We handle real estate transactions, estate planning documents, powers of attorney, affidavits, business documents and other paperwork that can have serious legal and financial consequences. With deed fraud, identity theft and document fraud becoming more sophisticated, proper training and accountability matter more than ever.

Remote Online Notarization has also completely changed the profession over the last several years, and our laws, technology standards and training need to keep up with those changes.

I’m glad to see these conversations happening between state officials and organizations that work closely with Notaries. Raising standards doesn’t hurt good Notaries - it helps protect the public and strengthens the credibility of the profession.

NNA policy experts briefed officials on deed fraud, remote online notarization and Notary legislative trendsLOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- --The National Notary Association (NNA) brought policy expertise to the Notary Public Administrators (NPA) se...

08/20/2026

📋 August is National Make-A-Will Month — the perfect nudge to finally get your estate plan signed, sealed, and legally in place.

Having your will, trust, or power of attorney drafted is a great first step... but it's not official until it's properly signed, witnessed, and notarized. If your documents have been sitting in a folder waiting on signatures, this is your sign. 😉

✅ Mobile signings — I'll come to you (home, attorney's office, hospital, assisted living, etc.)
✅ Professional witnesses available if you don't have your own
✅ Couples can sign together in one appointment
✅ Remote Online Notarization available for eligible documents

Don't have your documents drafted yet? I work with trusted TN estate planning attorneys and I'm happy to point you in the right direction.

Let's get your plan finished this August. 📞 (865) 386-7398 or visit https://smokymtnnotary.com/estate-planning-notary

08/13/2026

📜 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝗮-𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 - 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗜𝘁 𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁?

If you belong to a church, community group, neighborhood association, club, or other organization, I also offer 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

You can make a little 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 out of it - get several people together, have your estate planning documents ready, and complete the signing in one convenient session.

One added benefit? Depending on the documents and witness requirements, group members may be able to serve as disinterested witnesses for one another, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀.

For larger groups, I can also coordinate 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 so we can keep things moving efficiently.

I can assist with the signing and notarization of documents such as:

✔ Wills
✔ Powers of Attorney
✔ Advance Directives
✔ Trust documents
✔ Other attorney-prepared estate planning documents

Don’t have your documents prepared yet? I can refer you to a 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆.

📍 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘅𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀
💻 Remote Online Notarization available for eligible documents
📞 𝟴𝟲𝟱-𝟯𝟴𝟲-𝟳𝟯𝟵𝟴
🌐 SmokyMtnNotary.com

Getting your estate plan completed doesn’t have to be complicated - and sometimes it’s easier when everyone gets it done together.

08/13/2026

Some traveling Tennesseans are unexpectedly missing flights after TSA refused to accept their driver's licenses. Here is the bizarre issue state officials are investigating and how to get a free replacement: https://tinyurl.com/mr3ayec4