Notary Disclaimer & Fee Disclosure

A California notary public is a public officer commissioned by the Secretary of State to serve as an impartial witness. Our role is to:

• Verify the identity of each signer using satisfactory evidence.
• Confirm the signer appears willing and aware of what they are signing.
• Complete the notarial certificate, record the act in our journal, and affix our official seal.

• Give legal advice or explain the legal meaning or consequences of a document.
• Prepare, draft, or choose legal documents or the type of notarial certificate for you.
• Notarize a document in which the notary has a financial or beneficial interest.
• Notarize a signature without the signer personally appearing.
• Certify copies of vital records (birth, death, or marriage certificates) — these must be obtained from the issuing agency.
• Act as an immigration consultant or offer immigration advice.

A notarization does not make a document true, legal, or enforceable, and does not verify its contents.

As a loan signing agent, we present loan documents prepared by your lender, title, or escrow company, show you where to sign, and notarize where required. We cannot explain loan terms, interest rates, or legal implications. Questions about the content of your loan documents should be directed to your lender, escrow officer, or attorney.

Under California Civil Code § 1185, each signer must present a current (or issued within the last five years) identification document, such as:

• California driver’s license or state ID card
• U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
• U.S. military ID
• Driver’s license or ID issued by another U.S. state
• Other forms permitted by Civil Code § 1185

If a signer has no acceptable ID, identification may be made through credible witnesses as permitted by law. Without satisfactory identification, the notarization cannot be performed.

The maximum fee for notarial acts is set by California Government Code § 8211. For acknowledgments and jurats, the maximum fee is $15 per signature notarized. Certain acts, such as notarizing signatures on some veterans’ benefit documents, must be performed at no charge as required by law.

Travel fees, convenience fees, after-hours or holiday fees, waiting time, printing, and loan signing package fees are not notarial fees. They are charged for the mobile service and will be disclosed and agreed upon before your appointment.

California law requires notaries to maintain a journal of notarial acts. A right thumbprint is required in the journal for deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, and other documents affecting real property, as well as powers of attorney (Government Code § 8206).