FAQ

Here are some of the frequently asked questions

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Can any Document be Notarized?
For a document to be notarized it must contain: 1) Text committing the signer in some way. 2) An original signature (not a photocopy) of the document signer. 3) A document should be completed that includes witness signatures if required and notarization is not asked for the witness signatures. 4) The signer with witness needs to be present at the time of Notarization If notarization is required for witness signature as well. 5) A notarial "certificate" which may appear on the document itself or as an attachment. The notary fills in the certificate, signs it and then applies his or her seal to complete the notarization. Notaries certify the identity of signers. The signers are responsible for the content of the documents.
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What are all the valid IDs for Notarization?
There is reasonable reliance on any one of the following forms of identification, provided it is current or was issued within 5 years:
  • A driver’s license or identification card issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles
  • A United States passport
  • Text committing the signer in some way
  • An inmate identification card issued by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, if the inmate is in custody in prison or
  • Any form of inmate identification issued by a sheriff’s department, if the inmate is in custody in a local detention facility

There is reasonable reliance on any one of the following forms of identification, provided it is current or was issued within 5 years, and provided that it also contains a photograph, description of the person, signature of the person, and an identifying number:

  • A valid consular identification document issued by a consulate from the applicant’s country of citizenship, or a valid passport from the applicant’s country of citizenship
  • A driver’s license issued by another state or by a Canadian or Mexican public agency authorized to issue drivers’ licenses
  • Text committing the signer in some way
  • An identification card issued by another state
  • A military identification card (caution: current military identification cards may not have all of the required elements)
  • An identification card issued by any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States (caution: current military identification cards may not have all of the required elements)
  • An employee identification card issued by an agency or office of the State of California, or by an agency or office of a city, county, or city and county of California
  • An identification card issued by a federally recognized tribal government
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What is the notary process for a photocopy of an original document?
A written statement with signature is provided by the notary client when the client/custodian makes a photocopy of the original document.
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Incomplete document be notarized?
No. The document should be completed before the notarization. And the photograph must be attached before notarization if it requires.
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California Jurat with Affiant Statement
Is exclusively used when no document is presented by the client and he/she is ready to write the statement in the top 5 lines along with signature on the top 6th line.
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When is a thumbprint mandatory?
For POA and Real Estate documents, getting a thumbprint from the client is mandatory. For all the remaining documents including will and trust documents, thumb print is optional. If the client is not willing to do a thumbprint for an optional document, then it’s ok
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Empty fields in photocopy of the documents is allowed?
As a notary, whatever the content(even empty fields) in the photocopy, it does not matter.( Even for student empty visa status also ok) But, as a document custodian, the client’s statement with his/her signature has no empty spaces.
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What type of Notarial Act is required?
The signer is responsible for knowing what type of notarization they need. If the signer does not know what kind of notarization(Acknowledgment or Jurat) they need, they must consult the entity from which the documents originated.
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What is an Apostille?
An Apostille only certifies 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 does not validate the contents of the document. We are doing service by getting the apostille from Secretary of State, Sacramento. Processing time could range from 5 to a max of 7 business days for California Apostilles. We will try to accommodate everyone's emergency deadlines.