A notary, or notary public, is a public official who witnesses and certifies the signing of important documents. Notaries are appointed by state governments and serve as impartial witnesses to protect against fraud.

A notary public verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document to which the notarial certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.

Sometimes the notarial wording isn’t printed on the document you need notarized. Such as handwritten or private documents. In this case, the signer should ask the receiving agency what type of notarization they need. The notary may not legally choose for you, as this is considered unauthorized practice of law.

The signer may also seek the advice of an attorney or make the choice themselves.

For signatures, the choices are an:

1. Acknowledgement: which proves that you signed the document

2. Jurat: the signer swears or affirms what they signed is true

To complete a notarization in California, signers must present a valid, government-issued identification that meets state requirements.

Acceptable forms of ID include:

• A California driver’s license or identification cardA U.S. passport or passport card

• An out-of-state driver’s license or identification card

• A U.S. military ID card with a photograph, description, and signature

• An inmate ID issued by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (for inmates in custody)

• A foreign passport stamped by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

All identification must be current or issued within the last five years.

*If a signer lacks acceptable ID, two credible witnesses with valid identification may be used to verify their identity.

No.

I am not an attorney, and therefore, by law cannot explain or interpret the contents of any document for you; instruct you on how to complete any document; or direct you on the advisability of signing a particular document. By doing so I would be engaging in the unauthorized practice of law and could face legal penalties that include loss of notary commission and/or fines, and possibility of incarceration. Any important questions about your document should be addressed to the receiving/issuing agency who requested the document be notarized or an attorney.

Our fees vary based on the type of service, total number of notarized signatures, document complexity, and travel requirements for mobile notary or apostille services. A final quote will be provided once all information and requested details of service are gathered. Please contact us for a detailed quote.

Accepted forms of payment: Cash, Credit Cards, Paypal, Zelle, Cashiers Check

Payment for services are due in full at the time when appointment is booked online or email/text invoice via payment link.

We can notarize documents from any state, as long as the notarization occurs within our jurisdiction. For international documents, please contact us to discuss your specific needs.

You can book an appointment by visiting our website, calling 510-410-7567, or sending us an email. We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate your busy life.