IDENTIFICATION:
Signer MUST provide one of the following:
- A VALID (or issued within 5 years) State Issued DRIVER LICENSE
- A VALID (or issued within 5 years) State Issued IDENTIFICATION CARD
- A VALID United States issued MILITARY IDENTIFICATION CARD
- A VALID United States Issued PASSPORT
- CREDIBLE WITNESSES (For more information see NOTARY WITNESSES see below)
- SUBSCRIBING WITNESS (For more information see NOTARY WITNESSES below)
COMMUNICATION:
The signer and notary must be able to communicate. An interpreter will NOT be allowed.
COMPLETED DOCUMENTS:
All documents must be completed in there entirety before being notarized. If an area is not applicable just simply add an "N/A" through that blank area. This is a good practice to keep your document from being altered after the notary has signed and stamped your delicate paperwork. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE OR HAVE QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME.
SIGNING DOCUMENTS:
It is standard practice to wait to sign your documents until you are in the presence of the notary; as It is required by law that you personally appear in front of the notary. The signer must be able to move the pen on their own. Assistance to push pen around is not acceptable, but in an effort to hold the hand steady while the signer pushes the pen around is acceptable. See "Signature by Mark Witnesses" below for more information.
NOTARY WITNESSES:
CREDIBLE WITNESSES: To establish the identity of the signer who does not hold one of the above listed proper identifications. The two witnesses
essentially become walking talking identification for the signer. To use this identification practice, the signer must provide the notary with two individuals whom must personally know the signer, provide their own proper identification (MUST) and be willing to be placed under oath to attest they know the signer.
SUBSCRIBING WITNESS: Must abide by the same requirements as the Credible Witnesses (see above) but the identity is established by the witness knowing both the signer and the notary. Therefore, in this instance only one witness is needed and is willing to be placed under oath to attest personally knowing the signer and notary.
SIGNATURE BY MARK WITNESSES: Are necessary when the signer has difficulty signing their name legibly. Two witnesses are requested to be at the location with the notary when the signer makes their mark on the signature line of the document. The signer and witnesses do not have to personally know each other. The witnesses need to be advised that they will be asked to complete a signed statement on behalf of the signer requesting their assistance in the notarization process. The notary will supply the statement document for the witnesses. Each witness MUST provide their own proper identification.
WITNESSES: Should be carefully chosen. When choosing a witness it is a good practice to choose an individual whom is not named in the document.
essentially become walking talking identification for the signer. To use this identification practice, the signer must provide the notary with two individuals whom must personally know the signer, provide their own proper identification (MUST) and be willing to be placed under oath to attest they know the signer.
SUBSCRIBING WITNESS: Must abide by the same requirements as the Credible Witnesses (see above) but the identity is established by the witness knowing both the signer and the notary. Therefore, in this instance only one witness is needed and is willing to be placed under oath to attest personally knowing the signer and notary.
SIGNATURE BY MARK WITNESSES: Are necessary when the signer has difficulty signing their name legibly. Two witnesses are requested to be at the location with the notary when the signer makes their mark on the signature line of the document. The signer and witnesses do not have to personally know each other. The witnesses need to be advised that they will be asked to complete a signed statement on behalf of the signer requesting their assistance in the notarization process. The notary will supply the statement document for the witnesses. Each witness MUST provide their own proper identification.
WITNESSES: Should be carefully chosen. When choosing a witness it is a good practice to choose an individual whom is not named in the document.
I am not an attorney and cannot give legal advice! The information provided here is simply that; information. This information can be found on the California Secretary of States website or in the California Notary Handbook.