PHOTO IDENTIFICATION ID REQUIREMENTS

At the beginning of your document signing appointment you will need to provide your Notary Public with at least one form of identification. It will require a government issued photo identification card that has been issued within the past 5 years. The photo ID must have an identifying number, photograph, description and signature.

Accepted Forms of Identification

An ID card or driver’s license issued by the State of California
A United States passport
A driver’s license issued by another U.S. state or by a Canadian or Mexican public agency authorized to issue driver’s licenses
An ID card issued by another U.S. state
A U.S. military ID card with a photograph, ID number, description and signature of the ID holder
An inmate ID card issued by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
An employee ID card issued by an agency or office of the State of California.

For clients without a valid form of ID, the identity of the signer can be established by the oath of one credible witness known by both the notary public and the client. The oaths of two credible witnesses who know the client and who the notary public does not know is also an acceptable criteria to establish the signer's identity. Both credible witnesses must provide valid forms of identification meeting the ID criteria mentioned above.

NOTARY PUBLIC SERVICE FAQS

Why do documents need to be notarized?

A notary serves as an impartial witness to ensure the identify of a person who is required to sign a document. The primary reason is to prevent fraud.

What is a notary public allowed to do?

By law, a notary is allowed to take acknowledgements, administer oaths and affirmations, perform jurats, take depositions and certify copies of power of attorney.

How long does it take to have a document notarized?

In addition to providing a proper ID, customers need to sign the notary’s public record book and provide a thumbprint. The process usually takes about five minutes for a single document.

Can I complete and sign a document before the notarization?

Only documents with acknowledgment wording can be signed beforehand. An acknowledgment is the notarial certificate attached to a document when the notary public confirms the identity of the signer and the signer acknowledges being the signer of the document. Acknowledgement statements only require that the signer appear before the notary with valid photo identification. A jurat is the notarial certificate attached to a document when a person signs a document and swears under oath or affirms that the contents of the document are true and correct. The notarial certificate for a jurat is identified by the wording “Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed).” A document with jurat wording, which requires an oath or affirmation, must be signed in front of the notary along with the showing of a photo ID.

Need a California Certificate of Acknowledgment form?

Click to download the official form from the California Secretary of State: Acknowledgement Form

Need a California Jurat form?

Click to download the official form from the California Secretary of State: Jurat Form

What will Encinitas Mobile Notary NOT notarize?

We cannot notarize incomplete documents. Make sure the document that requires notarization is filled out with all details prior to your appointment.

We are also not allowed to notarize certified copies of birth certificates, marriage or death certificates.

We can notarize an Affidavit of birth, marriage or death.

Can a notary refuse to notarize a document?

Yes. A notary can be held legally responsible if a document they notarize turns out to be fraudulent. If a notary can’t properly identify a client or be certain the client knows what they are signing, they can refuse to notarize a document.

Can a notary help to prepare documents?

No. A notary is not allowed to assist in drafting documents aside from making sure the documents are signed and dated in the proper place and by the right person.

Mobile Notary Service

To The Following Neighborhoods:

Encinitas - Carlsbad - Leucadia - Rancho Santa Fe - Olivenhain - Rancho La Costa - Solana Beach - Cardiff By The Sea - Del Mar - Carmel Valley - San Elijo Hills - Lake San Marcos - Poinsettia - Aviara - Bressi Ranch - La Costa Valley - La Costa Oaks - Rancho Ponderosa - Encinitas Ranch - Rancho Carrillo - Carlsbad Village - Olde Carlsbad -

Calavera Hills - Carlsbad Ranch - North Beach - South Beach