Home | Fees | Apostille Services | Be Prepared | Proper ID | Travel Info | Forms & Links

 

Frequent Question/ Answer

1.
Q.  Exactly what is a Notary Public?
A.  The court defines a notary public as a "public ministerial officer", an agent for the state, and a witness of notarial writing and signatures.  A Notary Public is an honest, moral and responsible member of our society.  They are APPOINTED by the office of the Secretary of State to witness by an official seal and written acknowledgement, or jurat, the signing of documents as well as administer oaths.

2.
Q.  What is an Acknowledgment?
A.  It is a type of notarizations used to certify the identify of the document signer.

3. 
Q.  What is a Jurat?
A.  It is a type of notarizations used to certify that the signer has sworn the contents of the document are true.

4. 
Q. Why do you need documents notarized?
A.  To deter fraud.  An impartial witness (the notary) ensures that the signer of the documents is indeed who they say they are and not imposters.  The notary also makes sure the signers have entered into agreements knowingly and willingly.

5. 
Q. What documents may be notarized?
A.  For a document to be notarized it must contain: Text committing the signer in some way. An original signature of the document signer A notarial "certificate" which may appear on the document itself or on an attachment. The Notary fills in the certificate, signs it, then applies his or her seal to complete the notarization.

 

6. 
Q.  Does notarizations mean that a document is "true" or "legal"?
A.  No. Notaries are not responsible for the accuracy or legality of documents they notarize.  Notaries certify the identity of the signers.  The signers are responsible for the content of the documents.

7. 
Q.  What identification if required for NOTARIZATIONS?
A.  Each signer must present at least one form of ID listed below.  The ID must be current or, if expired, have been issued within the last 5 years; contain the signer's
photograph, personal description, and signature; and bear a serial or other identifying number (Civil Code, Section 1185).

Driver's License or non-driver's ID issued by a U.S. state
US Military identification card that contains all required elements stated above,
(The Common Access Card CAC is not acceptable)
U.S. passport, physical description not required Foreign passport stamped by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Driver's License issued in Mexico or Canada Inmate ID issued by the California Dept. of Corrections UNACCEPTABLE IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Matricula consular card
Social Security Cards
Temporary Driver's License
Driver's License without Photograph      

8. 
Q. Can a document be notarised when the signer does not have the proper identification?
A. No.  All signers must produce satisfactory evidence of identity.  Single credible identifying witnesses used to identity a signer also must present state approved ID to the Notary.  The law also requires all signers of power of attorney documents to leave a thumbprint in the Notary's journal of notarial acts.  Credible witnesses must have appropriate identification, not have financial interest in, or be named as a party in the document being signed.

9.
Q.  Why should you use a signing agent?
A.  Typically your clients will have to take a day off work to come to your office, a loan officers office, a title company, or a bank to sign a set of loan papers.  Using a signing agent, (a mobile Notary Public) who specializes in the notarizations of
loan documents, that will meet with your clients at their convenience makes the transaction much smoother, quicker and easier.  Contact Miss Notary, a certified loan signing agent.  We will travel to your clients home or office, to notarize loan
documents.  Clients/borrowers can use any of the following valid identification. (Regulations in number 7 apply)
California Driver's License 
California Identification Card
Single credible identifying witnesses, used to identify
a signer also must present proper state-approved  ID
Mexico Driver's License
Inmate ID Card
Other State Driver's License
Other State Identification card, Canada Driver's
License
Foreign Passport stamped by USCIS
ID card issued by the USCIS (Notarizations of USCIS
forms only)
US Military ID card (issued within the last 5 years)
Current U.S. Passport    

I require every one to leave a thumbprint in my journal of
notarial acts as well as their signature.