Preparing for the Appointment

What you Need to do Before the Appointment

Before your appointment it is important to make sure all documents are complete and that you understand what the document is.
Incomplete documents cannot be notarized.
As the signer it is your responsibility to fully understand the document and its contents that you are signing.

Prior to the appointment you must confirm that the name on the document matches the name on the government issued identification with picture. If the names do not match, the notarization cannot be completed and will need to be rescheduled.
Bring your government issued identification with picture to the appointment. Without your identification the notarization cannot be completed and will need to be rescheduled.
Come prepared to sign and swear or affirm that you are willingly signing the document brought before the Notary Public.
At your appointment, the Notary Public will record the following details of the appointment in the Journal of Notarial Acts:
- The title and/or brief description of the documents notarized.
- Verification of your government issued identification with picture.
- Your current address.
- Your name.
- Your signature.
- Your Right thumb print affixed to the Journal of Notarial Acts if needed for the type of document being notarized.
In the event that the appointment cannot proceed as planned due to any reason, the signer agrees to make the necessary payment of the travel fees owed to the Notary Public.

Please submit the Required Information form to help the notary better prepare for the appointment.

The role of the Notary Public is to:
- Identify the signer via government issued identification with picture.
- Verify or witness the signature on the document.
- Witness an oath or affirmation made by the signer as it relates to the document contents.
- Affix the Notary seal to the document being notarized.
The Notary Public is required by law to record the details of the appointment in the Journal of Notarial Acts, which is a legal record kept for the State of California and can be surrendered to a peace officer upon request pertaining to a legal matter.
The Notary Public will maintain all the necessary instruments needed in the scope of practice.
- E&O Insurance
- Journal of Notarial Acts
- Notary Seal
The signer agrees to and will not commit any act of fraud or any other illegal activity when bringing any documents to the Notary Public to be notarized. If the signer is found to have committed any illegal act, legal proceedings as deemed necessary by the State of California or any other local municipalities will occur.
The Notary Public will not be held responsible for any illegal act committed by the signer.
The Notary Public is not permitted to:
- Give legal advice.
- Explain the contents of any document.
- Assist with completing any documents.
Please note; in California, a Notary Public's commission permits the Notary to notarize documents in any county within the state, regardless of where the oath and bond are filed. No out of state notarizations are permitted.