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NOTARIZING FAQ's
As One Of The Signers, Do I Have To Appear Face To Face Before The
Notary To Have My Document Notarized?
Yes. The signer must personally appear before the Notary at the time of notarization to have his or her signature notarized. If it was virtually impossible for the signer to appear personally a "Subscribing Witness" may be used. The Subscribing Witness must be someone the Notary personally knows. The Subscribing Witness has to have witnessed the signer signing the document.
Can My Documents Contain Blanks?
No. A Notary may not notarize a document that is incomplete or contains blanks.
Can my Document be in a Foreign Language?
Yes, as long as the document has been completely filled out and there are no blanks, and the signer can communicate with the Notary.
Can the Notary advise which Legal Document I should use?
NO: It is against the law for a Notary Public to give legal advise in any way, including the type of document to be used, unless that Notary is also a bona fide Attorney.
Can the Notary Just Sign and Stamp the Signature Page without seeing
the document?
NO. The Notary Public must view the document to be notarized and ensure the document has been completely filled out.
What Type of ID do I have to show the Notary?
Any Identification card that contains a) A Photograph, b) Current Physical Description and c) A Signature is acceptable. If you do not have an acceptable ID, you can use a "Credible Witness" - someone the Notary Public personally knows and who also knows you. The Credible Witness will have to take an oath from the Notary that he/she knows you to be who you say you are.
Can the Notary Notarize a Birth Certificate or Photograph?
No, the Notary cannot notarize either a Birth Certificate or Photograph. You will have to get a certified copy of the birth certificate from the county. However, you can sign the bottom of a photograph with a statement such as "this is a photo of myself…" and the Notary can notarize your statement and signature.
Why Does the Notary Have To Take My Fingerprints?
In California the following documents pertaining to Real Estate must be notarized and the notarization must include the fingerprinting of the signers: Deeds; Quitclaim Deeds; and Deeds of Trust. Fingerprinting protects against forgeries. A California Notary, by law, does not have to take a signers fingerprint unless the Notarization is for one of the above documents. However, many Notaries prefer to take fingerprints on all notarizations as additional identification.
