Preparing for Your Notary Appointment

7 Steps to a Successful Transaction

Understand Your Responsibilities When It Comes to Your Documents

It is very important for signers to know what they are signing, and it is their responsibility to seek any professional advice regarding their documents. A notary is not a legal expert or professional and is not able to discuss with you the content of your documents and what they mean. We are not qualified for this. A notary's only role is to identify a signer and affirm that they are willingly signing a document, or swearing to a statement.

Remember - The Name on Your ID Must Match the Name on the Documents You Want Notarized

In accordance with the laws of the State of California, the name on an ID presented at a notary appointment must match the name on the documents presented in order for the notary to identify you. It is alright if your ID provides additional parts of your name. For example, your ID contains your full name (first, middle, last), but your documents only have your first and last name. Simply remember this base formula to establish identity: the ID name is >= to the document name.

Documents Must be Complete and Ready in Advance

According to state law, all documents presented to a notary public in California must be completely filled out before they can be notarized. A notary is not a legal professional and is not authorized to assist with the task of making sure a signer's documents are complete. If you require assistance with this task, reach out to the receiving agency of your documents or a legal professional, and please do so prior to making a mobile notary appointment.

Be Sure You Have a Valid ID for All Signers

Any signer presenting documents before a notary should have an active (not expired) government-issued photo ID with them at their appointment. It is sometimes even recommended to bring 2 IDs. Acceptable ID for a notary appointment includes:

Passport
Driver's License
State-Issued ID
Two Credible Witnesses with IDs

Communication with Your Notary is Key

Communication before and during your notary appointment is very important. By law, all signers presenting to a notary must speak the same language as the notary public in order for the notary to conduct the transaction. Charity is currently only an English-speaking mobile notary. If you require a notary public in a different language (Spanish, French, etc.), please see the Notary Public Listing on the California Secretary of State's website.

Signers Should Be Completely Comfortable with All Agreements in the Documents Beforehand

It is important as the signer that you are totally comfortable with the transaction you will complete with the notary. Before your notary appointment, please be sure that all discussions and agreements regarding your documents have been finalized. When meeting with your mobile notary, you should be at ease, and be a willing participant in the transaction. You should have completely reviewed and understood the documents you are signing, and be 100% willing to sign voluntarily.

All Signers Should be of Sound Mind

It is not uncommon in the notary public business for a notary public to be asked to notarize documents for the sick or elderly. However, out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with the laws of the State of California, Charity will not notarize documents for heavily medicated, disoriented, or any signer that may present before her that appears to be of questionable capacity. Please see more information here regarding how notaries determine a signer's awareness.