Signer’s Checklist – Before Your Notary Appointment

To ensure a smooth, efficient, and compliant notarization, please review and complete the following steps before our scheduled appointment.

1. Confirm Appointment Details

Once your appointment is confirmed, please provide your full legal name exactly as it appears on your valid photo ID.

This allows me to confirm that your identification matches the documents and helps prevent delays, corrections, or rescheduling.

2. Prepare Your Documents

• Gather all documents that require notarization.

• Complete all required fields except signatures that must be notarized these must be signed in my presence, as required by California law.

• Do not staple documents before the appointment unless instructed by the receiving party.
  
  

3. Identification Requirements (California Law)

You must present one valid, government-issued photo ID that is current or issued within the last 5 years and contains:

• A photograph

• A physical description

• A signature

• A serial or identifying number
  
  

Accepted forms of ID include:

• California Driver’s License

• California Identification Card

• U.S. Passport

• U.S. Military ID

• Tribal Identification Card
  
  

Jail / Detention Facility Signings:
A facility-issued ID or official documentation may be accepted. If no acceptable ID is available, credible witnesses may be required in accordance with California Notary law.

⚠️ I cannot proceed without proper identification.

4. Review Your Documents

• Take time to read and understand your documents before the appointment.

• Do not sign documents ahead of time.

• Please confirm in advance whether you or I will be providing the documents at the appointment.
  
  

Important: As a California Notary Public, I am not permitted to provide legal advice or explain the legal effect of documents.

5. Ink Color

Unless otherwise instructed, documents are typically signed in blue ink, which helps distinguish original documents from copies and is often required by lenders and institutions.

6. Contact & Location Details

Please confirm that I have:

• Your current phone number

• The correct signing address
  
  

Also notify me of any:

• Parking restrictions

• Gated access

• Paid or limited parking
  
  

This helps me arrive on time and prepared.

7. Signing Environment

Please ensure:

• A quiet, distraction-free space

• A flat surface or table for reviewing and notarizing documents

This allows for accuracy and compliance with legal requirements.

8. Pets & Distractions

Pets are welcome, however, please ensure they do not interfere with the paperwork or signing process. These are important legal documents and require full attention from all parties.

9. Punctuality

Please be on time for your appointment.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, notify me as soon as possible.

Excessive wait times may result in additional fees.

10. Payment

Please have your chosen payment method ready for applicable notarization and travel fees.

11. Additional Signers, Witnesses & Co-Signers

• Confirm that all required signers and witnesses will be present.

• Witnesses must meet California eligibility requirements and may need valid ID.

• If credible witnesses are required, this must be discussed before the appointment.
  
  

12. California Notary Journal & Thumbprint Requirement

California law requires me to:

• Record every notarization in my official notary journal

• Obtain a thumbprint for certain documents (including deeds, powers of attorney, and real estate documents)

This is mandatory and cannot be waived.

13. Language & Willingness to Sign

• The signer must be able to communicate directly with me.

• The signer must be willing, aware, and signing voluntarily.

• If a signer appears confused, pressured, or unable to understand the transaction, I am legally required to refuse notarization.
  
  

14. Questions or Concerns

Please write down any questions ahead of time so we can address notary-related questions during the appointment.