An Acknowledgment is a certificate completed by the notary according to Civil Code section 1189,
wherein: (a). The signer personally appeared before the notary on the date and in the county
indicated and acknowledged executing the document being Acknowledged, (b). The notary signed
and affixed his/her seal on the Acknowledgment, and (e). The notary properly
identified the signer. The wording of the Acknowledgment must read:
State of California
County of ______
On_____before me (Name and title of officer executing the Acknowledgment), personally appeared _____________
who provedto me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the
within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies),
and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the
person(s) acted, executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is
true and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
What is a Jurat?
A Jurat is a certificate completed by the notary according to Goverment Code Section 8202,
wherein: (a). The signer personally appeared before the notary on the date and in the county
indicated, (b). The signer signed the document in front of the notary, (c). The notary
administered the oath or affirmation, (d). The notary signed and affixed his/her
seal on the Jurat, and(e). The notary properly identified the signer. The wording of the
jurat must read:
State of California
County of ______
Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on this____ day of ____, 20__. by ___________, proved to to me
on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me.
What is an Apostille?
An Apostille is a certificate issued by the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of California,
authenticating the signature of the California official who signed the document and the capacity
in which that official acted. Authentication is limited to the signatures of Notary Publics,
County Clerks or Recorders, Court Administrators of the Superior Court, Officerswhose authority
is not limited to any particular county, Executive Clerks of the Superior Court, Executive Officers
of the Superior Court, Judges of the Superior Court and State Officials. This certification is
usually used for foreign countries that belong to the Hague Convention. (Return to Top)
What is a U.S. Department of State Certification?
This is a certificate issued by the U.S. Department of State, authenticating the signature of
the official who signed the document and the capacity in which that official acted, for
use overseas to foreign countries not belonging to the Hague Convention. Usually, a
completed Apostille is forwarded the U.S. Department of State for this certification.
What is an Affadavit?
An Affadavit is a sworn statement that is notarized.
What is "Satisfactory Evidence?"
Satisfactory Evidence means the verification of a persons ID according to (a). Paper documents
according to Civil Code Section 1185(b)(3)&(4), or (b). The oath of a single credible witness
(Civil Code section 1185(b)(1)), or (c). The oath of two credible witnesses (Civil Code 1185(b)(2)),
and the absence of any information evidence or circumstances which would lead a reasonable
human being to believe or suspect that the individual is not the individual he or she
claims to be.
What is a "Subscribing Witness?"
A Subscribing Witness is a person who who appears on behalf of another person, the principal,
to prove the principal signed the document. There are many requirements attached to this
type of witness. One major requirement is the identity of the Subscribing Witness must be
established by the oath of a credible witness whom the notary personally knows and who
personally knows the subscribing witness. This type of witnesscan not be used for a Quitclaim
Deed, Grant Deed (other than a trustee's deed or deed of reconveyance), Mortgage, Deed of Trust
or Security Agreement.
What is a "Credible Witness"
A Credible Witness is a person (whose identity has been established by the Notary according to
Satisfactory Evidence) who personally knows and establishes the identity of another person via
oath. (The Notary has to personally know the Credible Witness if he/she is validating the
identity of a person with only one Credible Witness. )
I can't travel. What options do I have?
Contact a Mobile Notary to come to your location.
Must I personally appear before the notary to get a document notarized?
Unless you are useing a Subscribing Witness, you must personally appear before the notary.
May I sign my documents in advance before the notary arrives?
You may sign your documents in advance if they only require an Acknowledgment. The notary will
ask you to acknowledge that the signature on the docs are indeed yours. However, all docs
requiring a Jurat must be signed in front of the Notary.
How can someone who is illiterate or unable to write get a document notarized?
If a person is illiterate or unable to write but is able to make a mark, the State of California
allows such notarizations via "Signature By Mark." (Return to Top)
Can I get a document notarized if I have lost my ID or am unable to immediately obtain it?
You are still able to have your documents notarized if you do not have the proper identification
on your person and the Notary has either (a). Two credible witnesses who swear (or affirm)
to the requirements of Civil Code section 1185(b)(1) (A)(i)-(v), or (b). One credible witness
who swears (or affirms) to Civil Code section 1185(b)(1)(A)(i)-(v) and whom the Notary
personally knows. (Return to Top)
How may I get a Certified Copy of a Power of Attorney?
You may obtain a Certified Copy of a Power of Attorney by presenting the original Power of
Attorney to a California Notary Public for certification. (Return to Top)
Can any driver's license be used as ID for notarization?
Only driver's licenses from the U.S., Canada and Mexico are valid for establishing
notarization ID in California.
Can I get an Acknowledgment for a doc that is not currently in my posession?
Acknowledgments may only be executed for documents you (or Subscribing Witness)
personally bring to the notary.
Can I get a document notarized over the phone?
You or your Subscribing Witness must personally appear before the Notary to have a
document notarized.
Which documents require a thumb print?
Documents for which a mandatory thumb print must be obtained are: Deed, Quitclaim Deed,
Deed or Trust affecting Real Property, Power of Attorney and Affidavits.
Do I still need to provide ID if the notary knows me personally?
Your identity must be verified by satisfactory evidence, whether or not you are personally
known by the Notary.
Why does the notary sometimes staple a Jurat or Acknowledgment form to my document?
Your notary will staple your Acknowledgemnt or Jurat form to the back of your document
being notarized if the notarization statement of your document does not comply with
approved California Notary wording. (Return to Top)
May my notary assist or advise me on completing a document?
Notaries are not lawyers and are prohibited from giving any legal advice.
May I use my expired U.S. driver's license as ID?
You may use your expired U.S. driver's licnese to establish your identification provided it
has not been 5 or more years since the expiration date of your license.
May I assist another person sign a document for notarization?
Signers may not be assisted by anyone during the signing process. The signer must be
able to sign or make their mark independently.
If I am sedated and/or incoherent, may I still get a doc notarized?
The Notary must make a judgment call in determining if you are aware and capable of
making a decision to sign and that you are not under the control of any substance or duress
that would cause you to sign something that you normally would possibly not sign. Usually,
all extentuating circumstance during a signing are indicated in the Notary's journal.