Question 1

What is a Notary Public?

Accepted Answer

A Notary Public is a person of required honesty, credibility, truthfulness and integrity appointed by the State of California to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of acts related to the signing of important documents, taking oaths and affirmations and performing other acts authorized by law (GC 8201.1 and 8205).

Question 2

What is a Notary Signing Agent?

Accepted Answer

A Notary Public who helps people complete the signings of legal documents and agreements, such as mortgage and loan closing documents.

I guide you as the borrower through the mortgage loan closing process, ensuring that all paperwork is signed and notarized.

Disclaimer: I am NOT able to provide legal advice or answer legal questions. I can describe the documents, but NOT its contents.

Question 3

Do you travel to my location?

Accepted Answer

Yes! I provide mobile notary services and loan signings. I come directly to your location for added convenience even during the evenings, weekends, and some holidays. Whether you’re at home, at work, or at another agreed-upon location, I’m happy to accommodate within my service area.

Question 4

How long is the Notary process?

Accepted Answer

For one signer, typically 15-30 minutes. 
For loan signings, typically one hour.

Question 5

Do I physically need to be there?

Accepted Answer

For most notarizations, it’s essential that the signer is physically present. This allows me to verify identity and witness the signing in person, ensuring compliance with notarial requirements.

Question 6

What to expect at your Notary signing appointment?

Accepted Answer

I will request identification to authenticate your identity.
I will review the document for completeness.
I will verify that you executed (signed) the document.
I will compel an affiant to truthfulness.
I will record the journal entry and request your thumbprint.
I will complete the notarial certificate.

Question 7

What identification do I need to show you?

Accepted Answer

I need to see a state-approved ID that must be current or issued within the last five years.

Most common: Driver’s License issued by the CA Dept. of Motor Vehicles or US Passport.

If you don’t have CADL or US Passport, there are other acceptable document options, please contact me.

If you don’t have any documents, I will need 1 credible identifying witness (if known to you and me) or 2 credible identifying witnesses (if known to you, but not to me). The witnesses would need to present valid ID, take an oath or affirmation, and sign my journal.

Question 8

What are the types of Notary Acts in California?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledgment: A notarial act in which a Notary certifies having positively identified a document signer who admitted having signed the document (CC 1188 and 1193).

In other words, you acknowledge being the signer of the document and I confirm your identity as the signer of the document. With an acknowledgement, you don’t need to sign the document in front of me.

Acknowledgements are typically performed for documents related to valuable assets, such as deeds, mortgages, and deeds of trust.

Oath or Affirmation: The purpose is to compel truthfulness.

Oath: a solemn, spoken promise to a supreme being made before me in relation to a jurat or as a notarial act.

Affirmation: a solemn, spoken promise on one’s personal honor, with no reference to a supreme being, made before me in relation to a jurat or as a notarial act.

Jurat: A jurat is used when an individual attests to the truth or accuracy of the statements in the document. The signer is declaring that the contents of the document are true.

With a jurat, I will confirm your identity, witness you sign the document, and administer an oath or affirmation declaring that the contents of the document are true.

Jurats are typically performed on documents called affidavits and depositions.

Affidavits: written statement signed before me by the person who swears or affirms that the statement is true.

Depositions: spoken testimony transcribed into a written document to be presented in court.

Proofs of Execution by Subscribing Witness:

When the document signer cannot appear before me, another person may appear on the signer’s behalf to prove that the principal signer executed the document. A subscribing witness watches the principal signer sign the document (or take’s the principal signer’s acknowledgment that he or she signed the document) and brings the document to me for notarization at the request of the principal signer (Code of Civil Procedure 1935).

Proofs of Execution are prohibited on Grant Deeds, Quitclaim Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Mortgages, Security Agreements, Powers of Attorney, any documents affecting real property, and any documents requiring me to obtain a thumbprint.

Copy Certifications and Protests:

Copy Certification: A document that has been verified as an accurate reproduction of an original document. As a California appointed Notary Public, I can only certify copies of two types of documents… 1) Original powers of attorney and 2) my notary journal line entries, upon subpoena or court order or written request by the Secretary of State.

Protests: Activities relating to foreign and inland bills of exchange and promissory notes (GC 8205 and 8208)

Question 9

What are the most common loan documents that I will need to sign?

Question 10

What are your methods of payment?

Accepted Answer

Cash, Zelle, or Venmo

Frequently Asked Questions