What is a Notary Public?

A notary public is a public officer, legally authorized by the state of California to administer oaths, witness the signing of documents, and deter fraud by verifying the identity of a person who signs a document.

What you will need to get a document notarized.

• Current government issued I.D. such as: drivers license, military ID, state issued photo I.D., Passport with photograph, signature and physical description of the signer. Expired I.D. cards will not be accepted.
  
  
•  In the event the signer does not have acceptable I.D., 2 witnesses who are not named in the  document and who do not have a financial interest in the document and who have valid I.D. can be used as a alternative method to ID the signer.
  
  
• You must have a completely filled out document. A blank and/or incomplete document will not be notarized.
  
  
•  The name that is being signed on the document must match the legal name of the individual signing on his/her I.D. card. Names on documents that do not legally correspond with an  individual’s I.D. card will not be notarized.
  
  
•  You must know which type of notarization is to be performed. (Usually an acknowledgment or a jurat). A notary public is not an attorney and cannot make this decision for you.