Don’t Hesitate in Choosing the Right Notary

Each individual client, need and process will be depend on the services requested. If you are in a rush, have limited time or would like a longer appointment, please be sure to let us know before so we create the most efficient appointments - your valuable time is our priority!

A Certified Notary Public is a state appointed individual who provides services to the public. The Notary verifies the signer’s identity using their approved identification and takes acknowledgment of the signer executing the document, or administers an oath and witnesses the signing of the document. The Notary does not give legal advice, complete documents, or verify that the documents are true or legally binding. The Certified CA Notary only verifies the person’s identity.

In some cases, identifying a minor can be as easy as looking at a current passport, or, if they are 16 or over, a valid driver’s license. However, many minors will not have an ID. A Notary must determine that a signer — adult or minor — understands or consents to what they are signing, or allow the Notary to refuse the notarization if they do not

You may be able to use one or two credible identifying witnesses in lieu of an ID.

If you do not have a current, valid ID such as a Driver's License or Passport, you can do one of two things:

​A credible witness will need to present a valid state-approved ID to the notary and must not have any financial interest or be named in the document (s).

Because its required by law on some documents. Or to have an impartial witness to the signing. Some courses of business require notarization of signatures when the signer is not present to sign at the destination the document will be going to. Say a document being sent to Washington, and the individual is in California, some businesses request notarization to feel more confident that the signer indeed did sign the document that they were mailed.

Even if a Notary is personally acquainted with a signer, California state law prohibits using personal knowledge to identify document signers. Every signer must be identified through one of the identification documents or other methods listed in California Code 1185[b].

• -A California driver’s license or nondriver’s ID
• A U.S. passport (or passport card)
• An inmate identification card issued by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation if the inmate is in prison or any form of inmate identification issued by a sheriff’s department if the inmate is in custody in a local detention facility
• A driver’s license or official nondriver’s ID issued by a U.S. state*
• A Canadian or Mexican driver’s license issued by an appropriate public agency*
• A U.S. military ID*
• A valid foreign passport from the applicant’s country of citizenship*
• An employee ID issued by an agency or office of the state of California or a California city, county, or city and county*
• An identification card issued by a federally-recognized tribal government*
• A valid consular identification document issued by a consulate from the applicant’s country of citizenship that meets specific requirements (see #3 below)*
• The oath or affirmation of one credible witness personally known to the Notary and identified through statutorily prescribed ID cards or the oath or affirmation of two credible witnesses not personally known to the Notary and identified through statutorily prescribed ID cards

All of the identification documents listed above must be current or issued within the past 5 years in order to be accepted by California Notaries. IDs listed above marked with an asterisk (*) must also contain an identifying number and the photograph, signature and physical description of the bearer. 

An apostille is a certificate — often attached to the document by an appropriate government official after it is notarized.

Apostilles and authentication certificates validate the seal and signature of a Notary on a document so that it can be accepted in a foreign country. 

Apostilles are used when public documents are being transferred between countries that are a party to the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961. This international treaty streamlined the cumbersome, traditional procedure for authenticating documents.

An apostille is issued by the Secretary of State's office or Notary commissioning agency.

The single apostille is the only certification needed. Once prepared and verified, the apostille is attached to and sent along with the notarized documents. Notaries cannot issue apostilles themselves. This all happens after the notarization.

Authentication certificates are used for destination nations that are not part of the Hague Convention. Instead of a single apostille, the document needs several authentication certificates, including  from your commissioning agency, the U.S. Department of State, the consul of the destination country and potentially another government official in the destination country.

The requirements and processing time for authentication certificates will vary from country to country.

The agency/organization requesting your background check will provide you with a Livescan Fingerprinting form that you will need to bring, this is required to perform your background check. Providing a Livescan form from the requester of a background check is very important. The information on the form is needed in order to process your application and identify verification. 

Be sure to have your Livescan form (with your information in the Applicant Information section) ready for your session, this may delay your services if you do not have. For the correct DOJ Live Scan form and more information, please verify the correct form with the requesting organization is completed before your appointment so that you are not charged the wrong amount and/or your background information is not sent to the wrong place OR you have to re-do your prints at your cost. 

Additional information and more forms are available on the CA Attorney General's website. 

One of the most significant advantages of choosing a CNTDA is their expertise in the delivery of an estate plan. These professionals are well-versed in the intricacies of estate planning documents and can guide you through the process. A CNTDA can explain WHAT you’re signing and can go over the information with you to make sure its accurate before signing. 

The cost of mobile notary and fingerprinting services can vary depending on the number of signers, location, fingerprinting procedures and number of documents requiring notarization.

Please contact us directly to discuss your specific needs so we can provide you with the best quote with all costs upfront. Please keep in mind if additional signers, documents or additional services are added at appointment, the original quote with costs will cease to be valid and clients are responsible for payment at time of service. Trusty Ink Works Services will provide new upfront costs at time of service. 

To be considered a medical courier, companies are required to have HIPAA-compliant policies and procedures in place for their employees. They must also have technology in place that allows them to track shipments from start to finish and keep PHI secure.

Buying or selling a house is a tremendous task. It’s a long and tiring process often involving complex documents and requirements that vary by cities and states. That’s why most people rely on agents to help them with the heavy lifting. Unfortunately, even with expertise in the field, you can still face a tiresome process.

The Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) is a law that mandates that a business entity must disclose who the beneficial owners of  the entity are.

Any business entity formed by application is subject to the CTA. These entities include:

• Corporations (both C and S status);
• Partnerships (both general and limited);
• Professional Corporations;  and
• Limited Liability Entities (in all forms).