Frequently Asked Questions

A California Notary Public is a state-appointed official who serves as an impartial witness to the signing of documents. Notaries help deter fraud by verifying signers’ identities and ensuring that signers appear willing and aware of their actions during the notarization.

• Identifying signers: verifying the identity of the people signing, usually with government-issued photo ID.
• Administering oaths and affirmations: administering oaths or affirmations for jurats and other sworn statements, as required by law.
• Performing notarial acts: completing acknowledgments, jurats, and other notarial acts authorized by California law.
• Certifying copies: in California, notaries may only certify copies of powers of attorney as true and complete copies of the original.
• Recording notarizations: keeping a journal of every notarial act, including signer details, document types, and dates.

Many types of documents can be notarized in California, including:

• Financial: trusts, affidavits, powers of attorney, loan agreements
• Automotive: bills of sale, title applications, title transfers
• Construction: notices of commencement, permits, lien waivers
• Healthcare: advance healthcare directives, medical directives, records releases
• Travel: travel consent forms and notarized consent letters or affidavits when required for passport or travel purposes.
• Legal: durable powers of attorney, court documents, releases, divorce agreements
• Real estate: deeds, leases, rental agreements, deeds of trust
• Other: employment contracts, investment documents, insurance documents, and documents requiring an acknowledgment or jurat.

California notaries cannot certify copies of birth, marriage, or death certificates. To obtain an official or certified copy, contact the government agency that maintains the record. A notary may notarize a signature on a separate document relating to a vital record when an appropriate notarial act is permitted.

Acknowledgments, jurats, certified copies of powers of attorney, affidavits, depositions, adoption paperwork, deeds, mortgages, loan and refinancing documents, living trusts, advance healthcare directives, authorization for minor child travel, and many more.

We can notarize signatures on wills, trusts, and related documents when an appropriate notarial act is required and permitted. Our role is limited to the notarial act; we do not draft, review, or advise on the contents of documents. Notarization does not replace any witness or other signing requirements that may apply. If you are unsure what your document requires, please consult an attorney.

For the full list of acceptable IDs and what to bring to your appointment, click here.

Yes. We offer mobile notary service for individuals and organizations. We can meet you at your home, workplace, or another convenient location at a time that works with your schedule.

No. Notaries are prohibited from giving legal advice or acting as legal representatives. A notary serves only as an impartial witness to the signing of documents.

No. California law requires the signer to appear in person before the notary. California does, however, recognize out-of-state remote notarizations that comply with the laws of the state where they were performed.

Yes, as long as the notarization takes place within California and follows California notary law — even if the document will be filed in another state.

You can reach Scripps Notary by texting or calling +1 (858) 900-7134 or by email at info@scrippsnotary.com.

We provide notary services for affidavits and supporting documents for Indian OCI applications and passport renewals, and have experience notarizing these types of documents. For document-copy affidavits, the customer swears or affirms that the copies are true and accurate reproductions of the originals. We administer the required oath or affirmation and notarize the customer’s signature, but do not independently verify the contents of the documents or certify the underlying copies. Please bring your unsigned affidavit, the original supporting documents for reference, and valid government-issued identification. The affidavit must be signed in the presence of the notary.