Q. What type of identification is required?

A.  Identification can be in the form of a driver's license, non-driver identification card, passport, etc., and must be current or, if expired, issued within the past five years.  Photocopies of IDs are not acceptable.

ALL FORMS OF I.D. MUST CONTAIN THE SIGNER'S PHOTO, PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION, SIGNATURE AND BEAR A SERIAL NUMBER OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER.

Each signer must personally appear and sign the documents in the presence of a Notary. Signer must be competent, able to read and understand the action and legal consequences of signing. All documents must be complete, must not contain blank spaces, and must not be signed. We do not backdate loan documents and all signers are fingerprinted.

Q. Can a document be notarized if the signer doesn't have identification?
 
A. State laws vary on this point. Generally, a signer should have valid government issued identification such as a current driver's license, state ID, or passport. Some states allow credible witnesses to sign the notary journal and identify the signer.

Q. Who can be a credible witness?
 
A. An uninvolved person (someone not mentioned in the document and not a family member). Neighbors and friends are commonly used. The biggest problem with credible witnesses is that they might know the signer as "Fred" and not really know what his middle initial or last name are.

Q. Can a birth certificate, social security card, credit card, or marriage license constitute positive identification?
 
A. No. Generally, in most states, a proper identification should be a picture ID with a signature, physical description, and expiration date. A credit card with a picture does not meet all of those criteria, nor do the other choices.
 
Q. What if a person's name on the ID and the document do not match?
 
A. If the name on the ID includes the name on the document, but is longer, then you can proceed. However, if the name on the ID is different, or shorter, then you will need credible witnesses.

Q. Can a Notary notarize without adding a notary certificate?
 
A. A notary certificate is a piece of paper with wording on it. The wording for each particular notary act (varies state by state) must be either part of the document (at the end of the document generally or after the signature section) or attached (stapled) as a certificate generally to the back of the document.

Q. The document I need notarized requires that multiple people sign but we all work different schedules.  Do we all need to be present at the same time?

A. No.  All signers can appear at different times

Q. I was sent a document from out of state.  Can this document be notarized by a California notary?

A. Yes.  California notaries can notarize documents originating from other states.

Q. Can a notary notarize a certified copy of a birth certificate?
 
A. No. However, many notaries do what is called a copy certification by document custodian where the signer swears that the copy is a true, correct, and a complete copy of the original.

Q.  What are Apostilles?

A.  The California Secretary of State provides authentication of public official signatures on documents to be used outside the United States.

Apostilles and certifications only certify to the authenticity of the signature of the official who signed the document, the capacity in which that official acted, and when appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp which the document bears. The apostille or certification does not validate the contents of the document.

Examples of documents submitted for signature authentication are:

Birth Certificates
Bylaws
Certificates of Non-Marital Status
Corporate documents such as articles, mergers, amendments, etc.
Deeds of Assignment
Distributorship Agreements
Marriage Licenses
Papers for adoption purposes
Powers of Attorney
School records such as diplomas, transcripts, letters relating to degrees, etc.
References and Job Certification
Trademarks

Documents submitted to the Secretary of State for signature authentication must have a current certification date by the appropriate public official or their deputy or must be notarized by a California Notary Public.   For more information about Apostilles Click Here.

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Documents we do NOT Notarize:

Wills, immigration documents, incomplete documents, documents in languages other than English, copies of birth certificates, death certificates or marriage records, photographs, faxed or copied signatures.