NOTARY PUBLIC California

If you are signing a legal document in California, such as a loan agreement or mortgage documentation you may need a loan signing agent to bear witness to the signing of your documents. Before you begin looking for a notary agent in CA, let us first start by explaining what a notary public is.

What is a Notary Public?

A notary public is a public officer appointed by the state to oversee the signing of documents. They serve as public witnesses for matters related to estates, deeds, financial transactions, powers of attorney, and international business.

Why Do You Need a Notary Public?

The notary public serves as a public witness to the signing of important documents. They ensure that the document is signed by the person authorized to do so and that no fraud is taking place.

Can a Notary Public Go to You?

A notary public may offer a mobile option that make things convenient for members of the public.

How do Notaries Verify Identity?

To verify a signer, a notary requests an identification document issued by the government that includes a photograph, a signature, and other important information such as the signer’s full name and surname.

Who Can Perform Notary Duties?

Notaries are people who have taken notary tests and have been trained to follow procedures and laws as stipulated by state laws. When choosing the right notary, take into consideration the type of document you want to notarize and the service method you prefer.

• Regular Notaries

Regular notaries can witness the signing of documents. They notarize a document by stamping and signing it. This is after having verified the identity of the signers and the validity of the document. Generally, this is done within a notary office. You may need to make an appointment with a notary public, so be sure to check their operating hours.

• Notary Signing Agent or Loan Signing Agent

Notary signing agents can perform all the functions of a regular notary. They can also close and sign off on documents such as loan agreements and other types of financial documents. Loan signing agents may also be mobile; visiting clients to notarize documents. However, they tend to be more expensive than regular notaries.

• Mobile Notary

If you are unable to travel to a notary office, a mobile notary may come in handy. Mobile notaries can travel from one location to another to notarize documents. However, if you choose to hire a mobile notary, you should keep in mind that there is an additional travel fee that you pay for this service.

• Remote or Online Notary Public

Instead of having to schedule an appointment and travel to a notary’s office, you can choose to make use of online notary service. All you need to do is sign up for an account on a notary website such as donotpay.com, upload your document, and you should be connected to a notary who performs a notary service through video calls. Proof that your document has been notarized is given in the form of a digital seal and signature.

• Tasks that a Notary Public should not perform

Some notaries engage in business that charges to prepare and process documents. Each company elects to conduct business the way it chose. Some signings are simple – and do not require any additional work, however, there are some companies that add to their menu of services to offer more business. It is imperative to separate the “notarial” act and the other service that a business is offering you.

Where Can I Find a Notary Public?

Notary Offices

There are several establishments that offer notary public services. Some of these include:

Credit unions
Banks
AAA Stores
United Parcel Service or UPS
Several stores that deal with money transfers
Stores that sell office supplies
Tax firms
Law firms
Real estate agencies
City or county clerk offices
Courthouses
Insurance agencies
Police departments

Not all these locations can notarize all documents. Some may not have the authority to notarize documents such as affidavits and wills, so it is best to phone ahead to check.

How Much is the Notary Service fee?

Notary public fees range in price from $0 dollars to $15 dollars per notarial act. You may be charged per document or signature.

If you choose a mobile notary, you may incur additional travel costs. Loan signing agents generally charge a greater fee for their duties, so keep this in mind if you are notarizing loan agreements via a loan signing agent.

There are maximum fee limits for notaries. If a notary public is found charging fees greater than the maximum fee, he or she could face suspensions and disciplinary action.

How Much Do Notaries Charge in California?

Notaries are subject to the laws of the state of California. All notaries operating in California are subject to Californian Government Code Section 8211, effective as of the first of January 2017. The law stipulates maximum fees that a notary public may charge.

Additionally, the maximum fees payable for notary services in the state of California are as follows:

You may pay a maximum of 15 dollars for every signature for acknowledgments or proof of deeds. This fee is inclusive of the seal and notary certificate.
A jurat is a clause found on an affidavit stipulating where, when and before whom an oath or affirmation was made. Jurat fees must not exceed 15 dollars for every signature. This is inclusive of the seal.
Depositions may not exceed 30 dollars each. You may, however, incur an additional fee of seven dollars for the administration of the oath to the witness, and another seven dollars should you require a certificate for a deposition.
Power of attorney certification may not exceed 15 dollars for each copy.

Important Things to Note About Notary Fees

Travel fees are not regulated and are therefore subject to the notary public’s discretion. There are also no charges for the notarization of signatures on a vote. Also, US military veterans are exempt from paying notary fees when applying or claiming for an allotment, allowance, pension, insurance, compensation, or any such benefit.

Other Services Offered by Notary Public Stores or Offices

Many notary stores or offices offer additional services to the public. An example of such a service is overnight shipping offered by the UPS store. It allows you to have your important documentation shipped to where it needs to be in record time.

Many notary public agents allow you to make copies of and fax through your notarized documentation on their premises. Many institutions that offer notary facilities also allow you to get documents certified.

Operational Hours

Most notary establishments are open six days a week and close on Sunday. They are operational from Monday to Friday roughly between nine in the morning and six in the evening. Operational times on weekends are generally between ten in the morning and one in the afternoon. Again, most notary establishments do not operate on a Sunday. Be sure to phone ahead to check operational times and fix your appointment, at least an hour beforehand.

Final Thoughts

A notary public is a state-appointed individual who is qualified to bear witness to the signing of documents and verify the identity of a signer. There are many places where notary public services are offered in California.

There are three types of notary service types, namely physical notary offices, mobile notary public, and virtual notary services. Choose the type of notary service based on your preferences.

If you choose to visit a notary office, keep in mind that you may need to contact them to determine their hours of operation and to make an appointment. You can also choose to have a notary public come to you. Keep in mind, however, that notaries do charge additional travel fees for their mobile services.

Notary Public in La Puente

13732 Amar Rd, La Puente, CA 91746

Visit Our La Puente Office

Notary Public in Riverside

5586 Mission Blvd, Riverside, CA 92509

Visit Our Riverside Office