Long Beach Mobile Notary (562) 688-5721

Covering Los Angeles and Orange County 
Loan Signing Agent/Apostille

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Notary Public?

A state appointed official commissioned to witness the signing of important documents and to administer oaths. Documents are notarized to deter fraud and to ensure they are properly executed. An impartial witness (the Notary) identifies signers to screen out impostors and to make sure they have entered into agreements knowingly and willingly.


May a Notary give legal advice or prepare legal documents?

No. It is illegal for a Notary to prepare legal documents, answer legal questions or act as a legal advisor unless he or she is also an attorney. A violation of this is considered a UPL (unauthorized practice of law) and is a crime. Also, a Notary cannot provide any advice about a particular document.


What are acceptable forms of ID?

Identification must be current or have been issued within five years:

  1. An identification card or driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles;
  2. A United States passport;
  3. Other state approved  identification card, consisting of any of the one following, provided that it contains a photograph, a description of the person, signature of the person, and an identifying number.

A passport issued by a foreign government, provided that it has been stamped by the U.S. Immigration or Naturalization Service or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services;

A driver’s license issued by another state or by a Canadian or Mexican public agency authorized to issue drivers’ licenses;

An identification card issued by another state;

A military identification card;

An inmate identification card issued by California Department of Corrections, if the inmate is in custody.

 

If no i.d. is available, 2 credible witnesses may be used.  Credible witnesses consist of a person who is not related nor has any financial benefit from the document being signed who will provide an acceptable form of i.d., sign notary journal and give witness to knowing the person whose signature is being notarized.