San Diego Coverage

A notary public is an official of integrity by the state government, typically by the Secretary of State, to serve the public as an impartial witness to verify the identity of the document signer with proper identification to prevent fraud. A notary public performs copy certifications, administer oaths and affirmations.

A notarization is a certificate completed by a notary, certifying certain facts about the document and the signer. Keep in mind, the notary does not verify the accuracy or validity of the document.

A remote online notarization is performed just like an in-person notarization but utilizes audio and video technologies. The Notary and Signer do not need to be in the same room to complete the notarization.

The State of California's Secretary of State defines an apostille as a certificate that authenticates the signature of a public official on a document for use in another country. An apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature of the public official who signed the document, the capacity in which the public official acted and when appropriate, the identity of the seal/stamp which the document bears. An apostille does not validate the contents of a document.

Witnesses can be provided for an additional nominal fee or you can bring your own free of charge.

Yes, you can still use Remote Online Notarization (RON) even if you are out of the country. As long as you have a reliable internet connection, you can securely notarize your documents online from anywhere in the world. Keep in mind, you need to make sure the 'receiving agency' will accept a remote online notarization versus the traditional in-person notarization.

Identity Verification: The signer’s identity is verified through a multi-factor authentication process, which includes credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication questions. Remote Notarization: Using secure audiovisual technology, the notary and signer connect online, allowing the notary to witness the signing of the document in real-time. Electronic Signing: The signer electronically signs the document, and the notary applies their electronic seal and signature, completing the notarization process. Digital Storage and Retrieval: The notarized document is securely stored and can be easily retrieved and accessed by the signer or any authorized parties as needed.

A mobile notary public can perform a variety of notarization services, including: ​ Administering an oath or affirmation - Allowing the person to make a formal declaration that they are telling the truth. ​Acknowledgement - A formal statement made by a person acknowledging that they have signed a document of their own free will. The notary public can take an acknowledgement of the document and notarize it. ​ Jurat - A statement made by a person under oath or affirmation that they have read a document and that the contents of the document are true to the best of their knowledge. The notary public can perform a jurat and notarize it. ​ Copy Certification - A notary public can certify that a copy of a document is a true and accurate copy of the original (Power of Attorney only). For copy certification for other documents, a signer may write a statement about the document and sign it. Then, the notary can notarize the signature by proving the identity of the signer as in an acknowledgement or have the signer sear what they wrote in the statement is true with a jurat. ​ Deposition Services - A service that involves the notarization of deposition transcripts during a legal proceeding. The notary’s role in this process is to verify the identity of the witness and to confirm that the transcript is an accurate and complete record of the testimony given by the witness. The notary may also administer an oath to the witness, requiring the witness to swear or affirm that the testimony given in the specific deposition is true and accurate.

A mobile notary public can notarize an array of documents, including legal documents, financial documents, and personal documents.

Typically, a document requires notarization if it will be used in a legal or official capacity and needs to be authenticated.

For the State of California, you will need to present a valid government-issued identification (ID) to a notary public to have a document notarized. Acceptable forms of identification must contain a photograph, signature, and physical description. An identification card or driver’s license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles A United States Passport Inmate identification card issued by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, if the inmate is in custody in California state prison Any form of inmate identification issued by a sheriff's department if the inmate is in custody in a local detention facility Note: All these ID cards must be either current or issue within the last 5 years Other acceptable forms allowed provided it contains a photograph, description of the person, signature of the person, and an identifying number: Valid consular identification document issued by a consulate from the applicant’s country of citizenship, or a valid passport. Driver’s license issued by another state or by a Canadian or Mexican public agency Identification card issued by another state United States Military identification card An employee identification card issued by an agency or office of the State of California, or an agency or office of a city, county, or city and county in California An identification card issued by a federally recognized tribal government Note: Since a Mexican Passport provides a gender description (male/female), it qualifies as a primary form of identification.

Yes, remote notarizations are legally valid and accepted by all agencies. However, some agencies may not accept electronic notarizations, so it’s advisable to confirm before proceeding. Electronic signatures have been recognized in California since 2000. While California notaries cannot perform remote notarizations, they collaborate with notaries nationwide who are authorized to conduct these services.

If you do not have a current, valid ID such as a Driver's License or Passport, you can do one of two things: You may be identified on the oath or affirmation of one credible witness personally known to the notary or;​ Two credible witnesses unknown to the notary but each need to know the signer. ​A credible witness will need to present a valid state-approved ID to the notary and must not have any financial interest or be named in the document.

A notary public does not notarize the following: Immigration Documents Photographs Blank/incomplete documents Documents that do not require a signature Documents that do not indicate which notarial act to perform, and for which the client cannot choose which notarial act they prefer

A notary signing agent (NSA) has a certification and extended training specializing in real estate transactions that a general mobile notary public does not. Typically, NSA's are hired by mortgage, escrow, or title companies to notarize documents related to mortgage loans. They are highly trained in understanding all real estate loan closings for home refinances, home purchases, or home equity lines of credit. The notary signing agent will review, prepare, and print documents to meet with the signers to verify their identity, witness their signatures and ensure that all documents are complete and accurate.

Signature by mark allows a signer to sign a document by making a mark typically a X rather than writing their signature as they are unable to write or may have difficulty writing due to a physical disability. The mark requires two witnesses to observe and sign the document. One of the witnesses must write the signer’s name next to the mark, provide an ID and also sign the notary journal.

To prepare for your appointment, have all the necessary documents readily available to notarize as well as valid identification to provide to the notary.

Yes, depending on my schedule, same day appointments or within the hour are available. You can call directly to book your notary needs.

The cost of mobile notary services can vary depending on the number of signers, location, and number of documents requiring notarization. It's best practice to ask for a quote so San Diego Notary Signing Agent can be transparent with your out-of-pocket costs.