Notary Process
How it Works
Notary Process
We are appointed by the Secretary of State to verify the identity of a document signer. We can perform copy certifications and administer oaths and affirmations.
We do not verify the accuracy of a document. We verify the identity of the signer of the document.
Valid Identification Required
We are required to verify proper identification for Notary services. The following are the major types of valid identification:
- California Drivers License or ID
- A US Passport
- A Foreign Passport
- An Out of State Drivers License or ID Card
- Canadian or Mexican Drivers License or ID Card
- US Military ID with signature
- Inmate ID Card or wristband
- A Consular Card with Photo and Description
- Tribal ID Card with description, photo signature and Serial Number
All IDs must have been issued within the last 5 years.
Common Types of Documents
Acknowledgements
The form most frequently completed by the notary public is the certificate of acknowledgement. The signer personally appeared before the notary on the date and county indicated. Certifies the identity of the signer and that the signer acknowledged executing the document.
Jurats
The second most frequently completed form by a notary public. We certify that the signer personally appeared before the notary, on the date indicated, in the county indicated. That the signer signed the document in our presence, we administer the oath or affirmation and certify the identity of the signer.
Apostille
This is a certificate issued by the Secretary of State to authenticate the signature of a notary public and other public officers then placed on documents that are to be sent overseas.
Proof of Execution by a Subscribing Witness
If a person, called the principal, has signed a document but does not personally appear before us, another person can appear on behalf of the principal to prove the principal signed the document. Many restrictions on the type and nature of eligible documents apply.