Requirements

A Notary Public is Required by Law to Certify the Identity of the Signer of the Document

Accepted methods of ID are:

• Valid Identification card or Driver's License issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles

• A United States Passport

• An inmate identification card issued by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, if the inmate is in custody in California state prison

• Any form of inmate identification issued by a sheriff's department, if the inmate is in custody in a local detention facility
  

If the Signer Does Not Have Any of the Above Methods of ID, then Oath of Two Witnesses with Valid ID May Be Used

Oaths of Two Credible Witnesses – The identity of the signer can be established by the oaths of two credible witnesses whom the notary public does not personally know. (Civil Code section 1185(b)(2)) The notary public first must establish the identities of the two credible witnesses by the presentation of paper identification documents as listed above. Under oath, the two credible witnesses must swear or affirm that each of the following is true (Civil Code section 1185(b)(1) (A)(i)-(v)):

1. The individual appearing before the notary public as the signer of the document is the person named in the document;

2. The credible witness personally knows the signer;

3. The credible witness reasonably believes that the circumstances of the signer are such that it would be very difficult or impossible for the signer to obtain another form of identification;

4. The signer does not possess any of the identification documents authorized by law to establish the signer’s identity; and

5. The credible witness does not have a financial interest and is not named in the document signed.

Signer Must be Conscious

Signer must be conscious and aware of surroundings. Signer may not be disoriented, medicated, or confused. This especially applies to elderly or sick clients. Any signers in a questionable capacity will not be able to receive our services.