California law requires satisfactory evidence of a signer’s identity. Common acceptable forms of identification include a California driver’s license or identification card, a U.S. passport, and certain other government-issued identification that meets California requirements.

If you’re unsure whether your identification is acceptable, contact us before your appointment and we can let you know whether it meets California notary requirements.

Some documents may be signed before the appointment, while others need to be signed in the presence of the notary. If you’re unsure, it’s best to wait and sign your document at the appointment.

Yes. The signer must personally appear before me for the notarization, and the notarization must take place in California.

I must also be able to communicate directly with the signer. If we are unable to communicate directly, I may not be able to complete the notarization.

RSJ Notaries is a mobile service, so I can meet you at your home, office, or another convenient location within my service area.

Mobile notary appointments start at $60, which includes travel within 10 miles and one notarized signature. Additional notarized signatures are $15 each.

Appointments outside the included 10-mile radius may have an additional travel fee. Any additional charges will be confirmed before your appointment.

Loan signing services start at $150, with final pricing based on the type of signing, location, printing requirements, and other appointment needs.

RSJ Notaries provides mobile notary and loan signing services throughout Orange County, with extended service available in portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and northern San Diego counties.

Travel outside my primary Orange County service area is available by appointment. Additional travel fees may apply. Contact me with your location for availability and pricing.

California law allows a signer’s identity to be established through one or two credible witnesses in certain circumstances when acceptable identification is unavailable. Specific requirements must be met before this method can be used.

If you do not have an acceptable form of identification, please contact me before scheduling your appointment so we can determine whether the credible-witness option may be available for your situation.

California law requires a thumbprint in the notary journal for certain documents, including deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, other documents affecting real property, and powers of attorney.

For most other notarizations, a thumbprint is not required.

California notaries may not notarize a document that is incomplete. If a document is clearly incomplete or appears to be missing required information, I may need to decline the notarization until it is completed.

If you’re unsure what information belongs in a blank section, please contact the person or organization that prepared or provided the document. As a notary, I cannot advise you how to complete the document or provide legal advice.

I can explain the general differences between common notarial acts, such as an acknowledgment and a jurat, but I cannot choose the type of notarization for you or provide legal advice.

If your document does not specify the type of notarization required, you may need to contact the person or organization that provided the document for instructions.

For loan signings, the loan package typically includes instructions from the lender, title company, escrow company, or signing service that I will follow during the appointment.

General notary services are typically for individual documents such as acknowledgments, jurats, affidavits, powers of attorney, and other documents requiring notarization.

Loan signing services involve a complete real estate or loan document package, such as a purchase, refinance, HELOC, or seller package. As a certified Loan Signing Agent, I guide signers through the loan package, help ensure documents are properly executed, and return the completed documents according to the instructions provided by the hiring company.

As a notary and Loan Signing Agent, I cannot provide legal advice or advise you about the terms or legal effect of your documents. Questions about those matters should be directed to the appropriate lender, title/escrow company, or legal professional.

A U.S. military ID may be acceptable for a California notarization if it contains the information required by California law. However, some military IDs may not contain all of the required identifying information.

Loan signings can have additional identification requirements established by the lender, title company, or signing service. Even when an ID may be acceptable for notarization, it may not satisfy the requirements of the company handling your loan.

If a military ID is your only form of identification, please let me know before your appointment so we can determine whether additional identification may be needed.

No. California currently requires the signer to physically appear before the notary. RSJ Notaries provides mobile service and can meet you at an agreed-upon location within the service area.