FAQ

What is a Notary Public?
Why are documents notarized?
What is an Apostille?
What Forms of Identification do Notary Publics Accept?
What if I do not have an acceptable form of identification?
Does A Notarized Document make the document True or Legal?
May any document be notarized?
What is a Certified Loan Signing Agent?

A: A notary public is a public official whose main powers include administrating oaths and attesting to signatures, both important and effective ways to minimize fraud in legal documents.

Q: Why are documents notarized?

A: To deter fraud. Acting as an impartial witness, the Notary Public ensures that the signers of the documents are who they say they are and not imposters. The Notary Public makes sure the signers have entered into the agreement knowingly and willingly.

Q: What is an Apostille?
A: Apostille is a document issued by the State government officer who authenticates that the official signature and seal/stamp of a notary public or other public signatory on your original document is legal and should be accepted internationally by the governments of foreign countries.

In 1961 many nations joined together to create a simplified method of "legalizing" documents for universal recognition. Members of the conference, referred to as the Hague Convention, adopted a document referred to as an Apostille that would be recognized by all member of Hague convention.

Q: What forms of Identification do Notary Publics accept?

A: A valid photo identification card is required, in order for a document to be notarized. One of the following will do, so long as it is current or issued within the past 5 years:

a. State issued driver's license or identification card.
b. U.S. passport.
c. Foreign passport stamped by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
d. Alien registration card, acceptable only for notarization of INS forms.
e. U.S. military identification card with your signature applied.
f. Driver’s license officially issued in Mexico or Canada.
g. Inmate ID issued by the California Department of Corrections, but only to identify prisoners in custody.

Q: What if I do not have an acceptable form of Identification?

A: Break the questions into sections by subject and give each section a subhead, such as Sales, Products, or Services.

Q: Does A Notarized document make the document true or legal?

A: No. Notary Publics are not responsible for the accuracy or legality of any document they notarize. Notary Publics certify the identity of the signer(s). The signers are responsible for the content of the documents.

Q: May any document be notarized?

A: For a document to be notarized, it must contain the following; *Text committing the signer in some way, * An original signature (photo copies are not acceptable, *A notarial "Certificate" which may appear on the document itself or as an attachment. The notary completes the certificate, signs the certificate, and applies his/her seal to the complete the notarization.

Q: What is a Certified Loan Signing Agent?

A: A Certified Loan Signing Agent is a Notary Public who specializes in loan document signings. We are authorized to perform the signing portion of the loan transaction. To achieve certification, the Signing Agent must go through additional, comprehensive training and education and pass an extensive exam. The Signing Agent accepts and provides pre-appointment prep-work of the loan documents, personally couriers the documents to the borrower’s location, ensures the proper execution and notarization of the loan documents, and returns the executed loan package to the Escrow Office in a timely manner.

Los Angeles Mobile Notary Public & California Apostille Service - 310.877.3800

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