Valid ID Requirements
All Signers Must Bring:
A valid State ID/Driver License from the U.S., any valid U.S. or International Passport, Mexico/Canada Driver License, Consular ID (Matrícula), or Tribal Identification with a photo and expiration date.
What Documents Do We Notarize?
What is a California Notary Public?
A California notary public is a public official appointed by the state to serve the public as an impartial witness. A notary is not an attorney. Here's what a California notary does:
Acknowledging Signatures
A notary verifies the identity of the signer, ensuring that the person signing a document is who they claim to be. This often involves checking a government-issued identification like a driver's license or passport.
Administering Oaths and Affirmations
Notaries can administer oaths for affidavits or sworn statements. An oath is a solemn promise to tell the truth, often with a religious connotation, while an affirmation is a similar promise without religious wording.
Certification of Copies
A California notary public can certify copies of a Power of Attorney. With other documents, both registered and unregistered (birth/marriage certificate, death certificate, diploma, etc.), the notary public can verify that the copy is a true and accurate copy of the original, with the acknowledgment of the original document holder or the authorized holder.
Taking Acknowledgements (Jurats)
For documents where the signer must swear or affirm that the content of the document is true, the notary administers an oath or affirmation and then signs and seals the jurat, which is the notarial certificate on the document.
What a Notary CANNOT Do:
- Give legal advice
- Prepare legal documents
- Notarize a document if the signer is not present
- Certify copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates