What is a Notary Public?
A Notary Public is a person of proven integrity appointed by the Secretary of State of California to serve the public as an impartial witness in taking acknowledgments, administering oaths and affirmations, and performing other acts authorized by law (Government Code [G.C.] S8201 and S8201.1).
What services can a Notary Public perform?
As a state-appointed official, a Notary has the authority to perform the following acts: acknowledgments, proofs of execution by subscribing witness, oaths and affirmations, jurats and copy certifications (Power of Attorney only).
Does a person have to appear before a Notary when signing a document?
Yes. Before any signature may be notarized, the signer must appear in person before the Notary Public. Only with the signer present can the Notary properly identify the signer and verify that he or she is willingly signing the document.
Can a Notary Public certify a copy of a birth certificate?
No. California Notaries are allowed to certify copies of only two types of documents -- An original power of attorney and a Notary journal line item.
Can I use a Social Security card for ID?
No. A signer must present one of the following forms of ID to a Notary: California Driver's License, California Identification Card, Mexico Driver's License, U.S. Passport, U.S. Military ID, Inmate ID Card, Other State Driver's License, Other State Identification Card, Canadian Driver's License, Foreign Passport (Stamped by USCIS)
A Notary Public is a person of proven integrity appointed by the Secretary of State of California to serve the public as an impartial witness in taking acknowledgments, administering oaths and affirmations, and performing other acts authorized by law (Government Code [G.C.] S8201 and S8201.1).
What services can a Notary Public perform?
As a state-appointed official, a Notary has the authority to perform the following acts: acknowledgments, proofs of execution by subscribing witness, oaths and affirmations, jurats and copy certifications (Power of Attorney only).
Does a person have to appear before a Notary when signing a document?
Yes. Before any signature may be notarized, the signer must appear in person before the Notary Public. Only with the signer present can the Notary properly identify the signer and verify that he or she is willingly signing the document.
Can a Notary Public certify a copy of a birth certificate?
No. California Notaries are allowed to certify copies of only two types of documents -- An original power of attorney and a Notary journal line item.
Can I use a Social Security card for ID?
No. A signer must present one of the following forms of ID to a Notary: California Driver's License, California Identification Card, Mexico Driver's License, U.S. Passport, U.S. Military ID, Inmate ID Card, Other State Driver's License, Other State Identification Card, Canadian Driver's License, Foreign Passport (Stamped by USCIS)
