There are always questions that you might come across when you are looking for a Notary Public.
Sometimes the question is as easy as 'What is a public Notary Public?'
We have a few questions and answers asked most frequently to us to help answer some of your questions.
What is a Notary Public?
According to the National Notary Association, a Notary Public is a public servant who is appointed by the Secretary of State to witness the signing of important documents, administer oaths and other tasks authorized by state law. A Notary Public is an honest and responsible individual.
What is a Mobile Notary Public?
A mobile notary public performs the same services as a regular notary public but is willing to travel to any location for anyone who is unable to leave his or her business or home for notarizing documents.
Do You Have Local Physical Office?
Due to the nature of our business module, we are always on the road, hence we do not have a physical office.
What is a Signing Agent?
A Signing Agent is a Notary Public who has received extra training in the presentation and execution of (in most cases) financial document packages. Some signing agents also take advanced classes and exams to become "certified" and/or "background screened." Most "signings" are real estate related, such as home loans, refinancing, buying and selling. A signing agent may also sign off on a reverse mortgage, adoption papers, estate planning or a loan application. In these days of Internet shopping for interest rates, it's not uncommon for a homeowner or buyer to find a lender out of state. A typical document package for one of the above transactions will contain between 100 and 200 pages, many of which require special, time-sensitive attention and/or notarization. In these cases the documents are sent (via e-mail or courier) to the notary-signing agent who then arranges to meet the client in order to present the package and to guide the signers through all the documents and collect all required signatures.
What Is An Apostille?
Additional authentication required for international acceptance of notarized documents including (but not limited to) adoption papers, affidavits, birth certificates, contracts, death certificates, deeds, diplomas and degrees, divorce decrees, incorporation papers, marriage certificates, patent applications, powers of attorney, and school transcripts.
Are you bonded and has your background been checked?
Yes, we are bonded and undergo background screenings. All notaries are required to be bonded in order to protect the public from negligent mistakes or dishonest acts performed by the notary.
Can Notaries refuse service to people?
A notary can refuse service only if her or she is uncertain of a signer’s identity, willingness, mental awareness, or has reason to suspect fraud. Notaries may not refuse service on the basis of race, religion, nationality, lifestyle, or because the person is not a client or customer.
What if I don’t have an ID?
If the signer of a document does not have a valid ID (not expired), two credible identifying witnesses (with valid IDs) must be present at the signing of all documents. One credible witness is acceptable when the Notary Public and the signer both know the witness through personal knowledge.
This witness must meet the following four requirements:
1. The individual making the acknowledgement is the same person identified in the document.
2. The individual making the acknowledgement does not possess any valid identification.
3. That it is the reasonable belief of the witness that the circumstances of the person making the acknowledgment are such that it would be very difficult or impossible for that person to obtain another form of identification.
4. The witness does not have any financial interest in the document being acknowledged and is not named in the document.
Two credible witnesses are used when the identities of the witnesses are proven to the Notary based on satisfactory evidence. The two witnesses must be known to the signer through personal knowledge and must meet the four requirements mentioned above.
What if the signer is disabled or too frail or ill to sign his/her name?
In those cases where the individual signing his/her name is competent to sign, but unable to do so because of disability or frailty there is a procedure called "signature by mark". The protocol for this requires two (2) witnesses. The signer makes a mark, frequently an "X", which is witnessed by the 2 witnesses. There is a form that the Notary can provide that one of the witnesses fills out and both witnesses sign it. This procedure essentially converts that "X" into the signer's legal signature for the purposes of that particular document.
Did the CA Notarized Signature Fee increase?
Yes, As of January 1, 2017 -Notary Fees have increased from $10 per notarized signature to $15. CA Governor Jerry Brown gave California Notaries their 1st Raise in 20 years. The last time the notary fees was increased was in 1994.
Disclaimer
We are not an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of California, and we may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice. We cannot explain or advise contents of any document for you. By doing so I would be engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. Any questions about your document should be addressed to document issuer, company and or attorney.