Notary Services

What is a Notary Public and will you ever need a Notary Service? A Notary Public is an official commissioned by the Secretary of State to witness a variety of official acts to prevent fraud when documents are signed. Each individual Notary Public at Ezra Apostille & Notary is individually commissioned by the Secretary of State to provide notarial services for the public within the State of California. For example, when you buy a home, a notary is present when you sign your ownership documents, guiding you through the process of signing each document.

Our office based in Camarillo, CA provides online and in-person notarization services. Notaries are required to follow specific, notarial laws (per the state they are commissioned in) when fulfilling their responsibilities so that documents are consistent and free from fraud. This is a “ministerial” position that doesn’t allow for personal discretion but follows a legal protocol of document notarization for our California clients.

A Notary Public’s primary responsibility is to observe the signing of the documents, ensure that the signers’ identities are verified, establish they are signing the document of their own free will, verify they are not under duress or coercion to sign, and confirm they are fully aware of the content of the documents they are signing.

Reach out to Ezra Apostille & Notary today for online and in-person notarization services. Each California Notary Public on our team is often called upon to validate documents such as affidavits, travel consent forms, personal wills, and powers of attorney. The notarial process protects the integrity of the document's signatures, thus objectively protecting, all individuals, families, and businesses involved. Notary Publics fulfill a vital function in a world where the risks of identity theft and fraud are growing. Private citizens can be certain their official documents are properly executed when certified by a Notary Public.

• Do Not Sign the Document
You must sign the document in the Notary Public's presence.
Please note: Acknowledgment certificates are okay to have been signed previously—even years ago.

• Completely Fill Out the Document
All blank spaces in the document must be filled in before the notary arrives. However, do not sign. A Notary Public cannot notarize incomplete documents.
Please note: Incomplete documents may result in additional charges.

• Questions About Completing the Document?
If you're unsure how to complete the document, contact the person or organization who drafted or requested it. A Notary Public is not permitted to provide legal advice or assist in drafting documents.

• Every Signer Must Be Present
Each signer must appear in person, be coherent, and present valid identification at the time of notarization.
Please note: See below for acceptable forms of ID or steps to take if you don't have proper identification.

• Original Documents Must Be Presented
For all copy certifications, the original document must be shown.
Please note: Vital records—such as birth, marriage, death, or divorce certificates—cannot be notarized.

• Know Which Certificate You Need
Be sure you know which notarial certificate your document requires (e.g., acknowledgment or jurat). A Notary Public cannot advise you on which one to use.

All identification cards must meet the following criteria:
• Be original (no copies)
• Be current or issued within the last 5 years
• Contain a photo
• Contain a physical description
• Contain a signature
• Contain a serial or ID number

Identification requirements are mandated by the California Secretary of State. The following are acceptable forms of identification:
• California Driver's License
• Other U.S. State Driver's License
• U.S. Military ID Card
• California Identification Card
• Other U.S. State Identification Card
• United States Passport
• Foreign Passport (must be stamped by U.S. Customs)
• Canada Driver's License
• Mexico Driver's License
• Inmate Identification Card (for inmates in custody in California)

If none of the acceptable forms of identification are available or
The name on your identification is different or shorter than what is on the document than you can use:

Two Credible Witnesses:
• That can swear to the signer's identity.
• They must have proper Identification.
• They must be 18 years old or older.
• They must know the signer by the name on the document.
• They must not be named in the document.
• They must not have any financial interest in the transaction described in the document.

If the signer is unable to write his/her signature and has a valid ID. Then:
• Two "disinterested" witnesses need to be present and be witnesses on the document.
• One witness should write the person's name next to the signer's mark.
• Then each witness should sign his/her name as a witness.
• Both witnesses are only verifying that they witnessed the signer make his/her mark on the document.