Notarization Process, Requirements, Fees & Contact Info
Notary Public & Certified Loan Agent
I am a professional mobile notary public & certified loan agent located in Orange County, California. I travel to meet clients for notarization & loan signing services.
Notary Services and Identification
Notarizing a document is verifying the identity of the signer(s), therefore; the signer must appear in person before the notary.
The signer(s) must be able to communicate directly with the notary. Translators are not allowed.
Notary Journal Requirements
All notary acts MUST be entered into the notary journal.
Identification document information, name, address, & other misc. information will be entered into the journal along with the signer(s) signature & thumbprint(s).
*Special Circumstance & Notary acts requiring witnesses will require that witness information also be entered into the notary journal.
Notaries are NOT attorneys
It is important to remember that notaries are NOT attorneys and CANNOT provide legal advice or explain the contents of the document(s).
Please ensure, you know which type of notarization you are seeking and ensure the document is complete prior to notarization.
The signer(s) must be able to communicate directly with the notary. Translators are not allowed.
Immigration Documents
I am not an immigration consultant, therefore; I cannot explain or assist with filling out immigration forms.
Please ensure you have properly completed the forms, and fully understand your immigration forms prior to notarization.
The ID presented must provide greater or equal information as that of the name in the documents.
Identification documents
Notarizing a document is verifying the identity of the signer(s), therefore; the signer must appear in person before the notary and provide identification documents that provide greater or equal name verification as the name presented in the document(s) to be notarized.
ACCEPTED IDs fall into three tiers: Using reasonable reliance, notaries accept Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 Identification documents as regulated by the California Secretary of State.
The ID presented must provide greater or equal information as that of the name in the documents.
The signer MUST be able to communicate directly with the notary. Translators are not allowed.
Tier 1 Identification documents
Notaries must be presented with satisfactory evidence of the signer's identity. The ID presented must provide greater or equal information as that of the name in the documents.
- An identification card or driver's license issued by the California DMV (*issued within 5 years of notarization)
- A United States passport (*must be current)
NOTE:
- As I am not a notary for the CA DOC, I do not notarize documents for inmates in custody.
- As I am not a notary for the CA Sheriff's Dept., I do not notarize documents for inmates in custody within in a local detention facility.
Tier 2 Identification Documents
T2 (IDs) must fulfill PSPS requirements
(photograph, signature of the person, physical description of the person, and an identifying serial number).
Notaries must be presented with satisfactory evidence of the signer's identity. The ID presented must provide greater or equal information as that of the name in the documents.
- Out of state Driver License and IDs issued by the DMV of that state are acceptable (PSPS requirements must be fulfilled)
- California State Agency or CA City Agency IDs are acceptable (PSPS requirements must be fulfilled). (i.e.: City of Irvine, CA SOS)
- Out of State Agency IDs or Out of State City Agency IDs are NOT acceptable (ie: City of Boston, TX SOS)
- A Canadian or Mexican driver's license is accepted when issued by public agency authorized to issue DLs. *NO other form of a Canadian or Mexican ID can be accepted.
- Driver Licenses from any other countries are NOT accepted.
- Consulate IDs (in English) issued by a consulate from the applicant's country of citizenship are acceptable when PSPS requirements are fulfilled.
- Foreign Passports (in English) from the applicant’s country of citizenship may be accepted when PSPS requirements are fulfilled.
- Tribal IDs are federally issued and can be accepted as long as PSPS requirements are fulfilled.
- Military IDs are federally issued and can be accepted as long as the ID fulfills the PSPS requirements (photograph, signature of the person, physical description of the person, and an identifying serial number).
- Military identification cards that do not fulfill the PSPS requirements are NOT accepted.
Tier 3 Identification - One Credible Witness
When the signer of a document is unable to present a valid identification document, there are two available alternative ID options called the use of: Credible Witness(es)
The first alternative is using one credible witness who must personally know both the notary and the signer to confirm the signer's identity.
- The credible witness will go under oath and confirm: He/She personally knows the signer
- The Credible Witness will confirm: The signer is the same as named in the document & The signer does not have or does not have access to a T1 or T2 ID.
- The Credible witness cannot be named in the document & cannot have any financial or beneficial interest in the document
- The credible witness is required to provide a T1 or T2 (PSPS) Identification.
- The notary act will be entered into the journal with both the signer and the credible witness providing journal entry information including signature and thumbprint.
The signer(s) must be able to communicate directly with the notary. Translators are not allowed.
Tier 3 Identification -Two Credible Witnesses
When the signer of a document is unable to present a valid identification document, there are two available alternative ID options called the use of: Credible Witness(es)
The second alternative is using two credible witnesses. When using two credible witnesses, both witnesses must personally know the signer to confirm the signer's identity. It is not necessary for the witnesses to know the notary.
- Both credible witnesses must personally know the signer to confirm the signer's identity.
- Both will follow the same oath process as using one credible witness
- Both credible witnesses will go under oath and confirm: They both personally know the signer, The signer is the same as named in the document & The signer does not have or does not have access to a T1 or T2 ID.
- The Credible Witnesses cannot be named in the document & cannot have any financial or beneficial interest in the document
- Both credible witnesses are required to provide a T1 or T2 (PSPS) Identification.
- The notary act will be entered into the notary journal with both the signer and the credible witnesses providing information including signature and thumbprint.
The signer(s) must be able to communicate directly with the notary. Translators are not allowed.
Special Circumstance
Signature by Mark
If a signer is unable to write his or her name, that person can sign the document by mark.
- Signer must be able to communicate with the notary & acknowledge the "the document is true and accurate"
- Signer must provide ID
- Two witnesses required.
- Witnesses can be random or family so long as they are not named in & receive no benefit from the document.
- Signer must sign using his/her mark & under his/her own power
- Witnesses must watch the signer make his/her mark
- Witnesses must subscribe their own names as witnesses on the document.
- Both witnesses sign next to & beneath the signer's mark (See Example in Image)
- In the journal, one witness will sign his/her name next to the signer's mark. (Example: Signer's Mark then By: witness sig)
- 2nd witness info will be entered into journal under misc. column but no signature or thumbprint is required from 2nd witness
The notary act will be entered into the notary journal with the signer and credible witnesses providing information including signature and thumbprint (as required)
The signer(s) must be able to communicate directly with the notary. Translators are not allowed.
Special Circumstance
Notarization of Signature on an Affidavit of Identity
If a signer is seeking notarization of Signature on an Affidavit of Identity, the affidavit form will likely contain a photo or thumbprint and lists the person's birthdate or age.
The signer’s age needs to be certified using
- A T1 ID (Driver License or Passport)
- While a T1 ID is preferred: On occasion, a birth certificate can be used to verify age (The birth certificate must be a certified original)
- Will require use of a Jurat
- The notary act will be entered into the Journal including signature & thumbprint
Notaries must be presented with satisfactory evidence of the signer's identity. The ID presented must provide greater or equal information as that of the name in the documents.
The signer(s) must be able to communicate directly with the notary. Translators are not allowed.
Certified Copy - Guidelines
Certified Copies
California guidelines only allow 2 types of certified copies AND only when requested by subpoena, court, or Secretary of State.
They are:
- Certified copies of powers of attorneys (a separate certified copy certificate page will be attached.)
- Certified copies of journal entry line item (a separate certified copy certificate page will be attached.)
An Alternative to a 'certified copy' is : "Certification by Document Custodian' in which the document custodian is certifying to the truth and accuracy of the document & the notary is certifying the identity of the custodian.
A separate certified copy certificate page will be attached.
Please ensure this type of certification is acceptable by the agency requesting certification
Acknowledgment, Jurats, Veteran Docs & Voting Materials
Acknowledgments & Jurats
Acknowledgments & Jurats are the most common type of notarizations.
It is important to understand that verbiage, formatting & fees of notarization documents are regulated by the California Secretary of State.
As such, California Secretary of State Regulations stipulate that Acknowledgment and Jurat verbiage and format presentation MUST adhere to CA guidelines.
In such a case where the Acknowledgment or Jurat presented at the time of notarization does not follow CA guidelines, a separate CA notarization certificate will be attached.
Please ensure the use of a separate notary certification page is allowed by the requesting party before seeking notarization.
The ID presented must provide greater or equal information as that of the name in the documents. In all instances, the signer(s) MUST be able to communicate directly with the notary.
The use of a translator is not allowed.
Veteran Benefits-Voting Materials
There are NO fees for notarizing documents associated with:
- Veteran Benefits such as Insurance or Pension Documents
- Voting Materials such as Circulation Affidavits
NOTE:
- Veteran documents unrelated to Benefits, Insurance or Pension are subject to fees
- Voting materials unrelated to Circulation Affidavits are subject to fees
Documents List
The most common question asked is:
"What types of documents do you notarize?
This image provides a list, however; this list is not all inclusive. Use the message link if you have a document that is not listed.
As stated throughout, the signer must be able to communicate with the notary directly. No translator allowed.
Information Regarding Appointments & Fees
Services available by appointment only
Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM - 6PM
*Emergency services can be performed outside business hours
contingent on availability.
Fees are regulated by CA SOS
Acknowledgement & Jurat notarizations: $15.00 per signature
Fees are per signature AND per person
Example: A Two page form requiring 2 notarized signatures per page; by 2 individuals is a total of 4 notarizations. Four Notarizations at $15 per signature = $30 (The same formula applies for every page requiring notarization)
Loan Signing Fees: Vary per entity contracts
Travel fees: Vary per distance and circumstance
Payment Options: Cash, Zelle, PayPal, & Cashier's Check
***Sorry, Personal checks no longer accepted.
Credit cards not accepted
Background, ID, Bond plus E&O Insurance Verification
Before being officially certified as a Notary Public, ALL Notary applicants must pass a thorough background check conducted by The California Department of Justice and The FBI.
My background check was processed and completed by CA DOJ & The FBI in June 2023.
In addition to successfully passing the CA DOJ & FBI background check,
I am also Snapdocs verified for compliance with ID, Commission, and Surety Bond requirements.
As a Loan Signing agent, I am also verified for compliance with E&O Insurance loan signing requirements.
Snapdocs is a mortgage industry e-Closing platform that offers a streamlined and cost-effective way to close loans digitally.
Contact Us
I look forward to assisting you with your notarization needs
Over 20 years of Real Estate, Business Administration & HR industry experience.
949-257-2651
Se Habla Español
For appointments or questions, click below.
