notary public

Forms to be signed:    

If you are bringing a form to be notarized, do NOT sign the form in advance—for most notarizations you need to sign in front of the Notary.  However, the rest of the form should be completely filled out. 

Have acceptable ID ready:  The person whose signature is to be notarized must have an acceptable form of ID:     

• An identification card or driver’s license issued by the California DMV     
• A United States passport     
• A photo identification card issued by another state, which includes a physical description of the person, signature of the person, and an identifying number.     
• A driver’s license issued by another state or by a Canadian or Mexican public agency authorized to issue drivers’ licenses.     
• A passport issued by a foreign government, provided that it has been stamped by the U.S. Immigration or Naturalization Service or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.     
• A military identification card.     

All ID'S provided MUST be CURRENT or have been ISSUED within the last five years.     

If no such ID is available and cannot be reasonably obtained, the signer may have two credible witnesses present who know you and can attest to who you are.  

Each of those two credible witnesses must have acceptable ID.

• Loan Documents, Deeds of Trust, Grant Deeds, 
• QuitClaim Deeds Power of Attorney  
• Insurance Release Claim Forms  
• Authorization for Foreign Travel with a Minor Forms 
• Passport Applications   
• Employment Benefit Authorizations  
• Application for Retirement Benefits, Retirement and Pension Forms 
• Bill of Sale for a Motor Vehicle  
• Application for U.S. Citizenship 
• Depositions and Affidavits 
• Application for certified copy of Birth or Death 
• Certificates 
• Advanced Health Care Directives  
• Adoption documents 
• Dissolution of Marriage documents  
• Many More.....

What is a Notary?    

A public servant appointed by the state government to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths.               

Why are documents notarized?   

Documents are notarized to deter fraud and ensure they are properly executed. An impartial witness, the notary, identifies signers to screen out impostors and to make sure they have entered into agreements knowingly and willingly.  

Does notarization make a document “true” or “legal”?    

No. A notarization typically means the signer acknowledged to the notary that he or she signed the document or vouched under oath or affirmation that the contents of the document were true.  

Can a Notary give legal advice?     

No. A notary is forbidden from preparing legal documents or acting as a legal advisor unless he or she is also a licensed attorney.  A notary cannot answer legal questions or provide advice about your particular document.

We are not attorneys and therefore, by law, cannot explain or interpret the contents of any document for you, instruct you on how to complete a document, or direct you on the advisability of signing a particular document.   By doing so we would be engaging in the unauthorized practice of law and could face legal penalties that include the possiblity of incarceration.   Any important questions about your document should be addressed to the issuing/receiving agency or an attorney.