A notary public is a public official who performs invaluable services for the legal, business, financial and real estate communities appointed by the Secretary of State in California. Notaries perform official notarial acts such as notarizing acknowledgments, jurats, depositions, oaths and affirmations, proofs of execution, protests, and certifying copies of power of attorney or their own notarial records. Notaries are required to complete a state-approved education course and pass a written examination prescribed by the secretary of state. All notaries must undergo a background check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as the California Department of Justice.
Proper Identification
Signers requiring notarial services can use the following as acceptable forms of identification:
- U.S. Passport
- State (U.S., Canada or Mexico) Issued Driver's License or State (U.S., Canada or Mexico) Issued ID that is not expired.
- U.S. Military Identification
- Foreign Passport Stamped by the United States of America
- Two Credible Witnesses with proper identification as outlined above may be used if you do not have proper identification available at time notarial services are requested.
