Los Angeles Notary

Altadena Mobile Notary Public

2011-04-27T16:56:00.000-07:00

Are you seeking a mobile notary in Altadena, California? I'm a traveling notary public serving the greater Los Angeles County. As a business owner, I work directly with my notary clients. There is no middle-man or agency to tack on additional fees. My mobile notary fee for Altadena is $25 and this includes one notarization. Additional signatures (acknowledgments and jurats) will be billed at $10 each.

My repeat customers and business clients receive discounted rates on my notary services. Here's how you can save even more money and cut out the mobile fee altogether. I regularly meet with notary clients in Eagle Rock at Starbucks or Swork. All of the details are here: Altadena Mobile Notary Public. I'm often available evenings and weekends, and will do my best to work your signing into my schedule. The more notice you provide, the easier this will be for me to arrange!

The special $25 travel notary pricing applies to these areas: Altadena, Arcadia, Atwater Village, Burbank, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Glendale, Griffith Park, Highland Park, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Monrovia, Montrose, Mt. Washington, North Hollywood, Pasadena, San Marino, Shadow Hills, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland, Toluca Lake, and Van Nuys.

If you're a business owner in Altadena, please feel free to add your website link to my notary website under the section Altadena Business Directory.

Burbank Mobile Notary Public

2011-02-04T10:44:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for a mobile notary public in Burbank, California? I'm a traveling notary serving the greater Los Angeles County. As a business owner, I work directly with my notary clients. There is no middle-man to tack on additional agency fees. My mobile notary fee for Burbank is $25 and this includes one notarization. Additional signatures will be billed according to the California Secretary of State notary fee schedule, typically $10 each. My business clients and repeat customers receive discounted rates on my notary services.

My special $25 travel notary pricing applies to the following areas: Altadena, Arcadia, Atwater Village, Burbank, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Glendale, Griffith Park, Highland Park, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Monrovia, Montrose, Mt. Washington, North Hollywood, Pasadena, San Marino, Shadow Hills, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland, Toluca Lake, and Van Nuys.

Here's how you can save even more money and cut out the mobile fee. I regularly meet with notary clients in Eagle Rock at Starbucks or Swork. All of the details are here: Burbank Mobile Notary Public. I'm usually available evenings and weekends, and will do my best to work your signing into my schedule. The more notice you provide, the easier this will be for me to arrange!

If you're a business owner in Burbank, please feel free to add your website link to the Burbank Business Directory.

La Canada Flintridge Mobile Notary Public

2011-01-30T12:07:00.000-08:00

Are you seeking a mobile notary public in the La Canada Flintridge area? I'm a traveling notary public serving greater Los Angeles County. I operate my own mobile notary public business, so my clients never pay for overhead or additional agency fees. My mobile notary fee for La Canada Flintridge is $25 and this includes one notarization. Additional signatures will be billed according to the California Secretary of State notary fee schedule, generally $10 each. My repeat customers and business clients enjoy discounted rates on my notary services.

My special $25 travel notary pricing applies to the following areas: Altadena, Arcadia, Atwater Village, Burbank, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Glendale, Griffith Park, Highland Park, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Monrovia, Montrose, Mt. Washington, North Hollywood, Pasadena, San Marino, Shadow Hills, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland, Toluca Lake, and Van Nuys.

Would you like to save even more money and cut out the mobile fee? I regularly meet with notary clients in Eagle Rock at Starbucks or Swork. All of the details are here: La Canada Flintridge Mobile Notary Public. I'm available evenings and weekends by prior arrangement, and will do my best to work your signing into my schedule. The more notice you provide, the easier this will be for me!

If you own a business in La Canada Flintridge and have a website, please feel free to add your link to the La Canada Flintridge Business Directory.

Mt. Washington Mobile Notary Public

2011-01-08T13:59:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for a mobile notary public in Mt. Washington? I'm a traveling notary serving the Los Angeles County area. I manage my own notary public business, so my clients never pay for overhead or added agency fees. My mobile notary fee for Mt. Washington is $25 and this includes one notarization. Additional signatures will be billed according to the California Secretary of State notary fee schedule, generally $10 each. My business clients and repeat customers also receive discounted rates on my notary services.

My special $25 travel notary pricing applies to these areas: Altadena, Arcadia, Atwater Village, Burbank, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Glendale, Griffith Park, Highland Park, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Monrovia, Montrose, Mt. Washington, North Hollywood, Pasadena, San Marino, Shadow Hills, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland, Toluca Lake, and Van Nuys.

Would you like to save more money and avoid paying a mobile fee? Just arrange to meet me in Eagle Rock at Starbucks or Swork. All of the details are here: Mt. Washington Mobile Notary Public. I'm usually able to meet with clients evenings and weekends, and will do my best to work your signing into my schedule. Of course, the more notice you provide, the easier this will be!

If you're a Mt. Washington business owner with a website, please add your link to the Mt. Washington Business Directory.

South Pasadena Mobile Notary Public

2010-11-15T14:23:00.000-08:00

South Pasadena Notary

Are you in need of a traveling notary public in South Pasadena? I'm a mobile notary serving the Los Angeles County area. I manage my own notary public appointments, so you will never pay for overhead and added agency fees. My mobile notary fee for South Pasadena is $25 and this includes one notarization. If needed, additional signatures will be billed according to the California Secretary of State notary fee schedule. Typically they will be $10 each. My regular customers and business clients also receive discounted rates on notary services.

If you'd like to save more money and avoid a mobile fee, you can arrange to meet me in Eagle Rock at Starbucks or Swork. All of the details are here: South Pasadena Mobile Notary Public. I'm generally able to meet with clients evenings and weekends, and will do my best to work your signing into my schedule. Of course, the more notice, the better!

My special $25 travel notary pricing applies to these areas: Altadena, Arcadia, Atwater Village, Burbank, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Glendale, Griffith Park, Highland Park, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Monrovia, Montrose, Mt. Washington, North Hollywood, Pasadena, San Marino, Shadow Hills, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland, Toluca Lake, and Van Nuys.

If you're a South Pasadena business owner with a website, please add your link to the South Pasadena Business Directory.

Glendale Mobile Notary Public

2010-11-08T08:57:00.000-08:00

Glendale Notary

Do you need a mobile notary public in Glendale? I'm a traveling notary serving the Los Angeles County area. I operate my own notary public business, so there are no agency charges or hidden fees. My mobile notary fee for Glendale is $25 and this includes one notarized signature. If you require additional signatures, those will be billed according to the rates established by the California Secretary of State. In most cases they will be $10 each. My repeat customers and business clients enjoy discounted rates on notary services.

Here's how you can avoid a mobile fee. Meet me in Eagle Rock at Starbucks or Swork. All of the details are provided here: Glendale Mobile Notary Public. I regulary meet with clients evenings and weekends, and will do my best to work your signing into my schedule.

The special $25 travel notary pricing applies to the following areas: Altadena, Arcadia, Atwater Village, Burbank, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Glendale, Griffith Park, Highland Park, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Monrovia, Montrose, Mt. Washington, North Hollywood, Pasadena, San Marino, Shadow Hills, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland, Toluca Lake, and Van Nuys.

Are you a Glendale business owner with a website you'd like to promote? Add your link to the Glendale Business Directory.

Pasadena Mobile Notary Public

2010-11-07T14:35:00.000-08:00

Pasadena Notary

Are you looking for a mobile notary in Pasadena? I'm a traveling notary public serving the Los Angeles County area. Since I operate my own notary public business, there are never any agency costs or added fees. My mobile notary fee for Pasadena is $25 and this includes one notarized signature. Additional signatures are billed according to the rates established by the California Secretary of State—typically $10 each. I always provide a discount to my repeat customers and business clients.

Here's how you can avoid a mobile fee. We can arrange to meet in Eagle Rock at Starbucks or Swork. All of the details are provided here: Pasadena Mobile Notary Public. I'm happy to meet with clients evenings and weekends by prior arrangement, and will try to work your signing into my schedule.

The special $25 travel notary pricing applies to the following areas: Altadena, Arcadia, Atwater Village, Burbank, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Glendale, Griffith Park, Highland Park, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Monrovia, Montrose, Mt. Washington, North Hollywood, Pasadena, San Marino, Shadow Hills, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland, Toluca Lake, and Van Nuys.

Are you a Pasadena business owner or service provider with a website? Be sure to add your link to the Pasadena Business Directory.

Toluca Lake Mobile Notary Public

2010-11-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

Toluca Lake Notary

Are you looking for a mobile notary in Toluca Lake? I'm a traveling notary public serving Los Angeles County. I operate my own notary business, which means there are never any added fees or agency costs. My mobile notary fee for Toluca Lake is $25 and this includes one notarized signature. Additional signatures are billed according to the rates established by the California Secretary of State. In most cases additional signatures are just $10 each, though I do provide discounts to my repeat customers and business clients.

You can avoid paying a mobile fee by meeting me in Eagle Rock at Starbucks or Swork. All of the details are provided here: Toluca Lake Mobile Notary Public. I try to accommodate clients evenings and weekends, and will do my best to work your signing into my schedule.

My $25 travel notary special applies to the following areas: Altadena, Arcadia, Atwater Village, Burbank, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Glendale, Griffith Park, Highland Park, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Monrovia, Montrose, Mt. Washington, North Hollywood, Pasadena, San Marino, Shadow Hills, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland, Toluca Lake, and Van Nuys.

Do you have a business in Toluca Lake? Be sure to add your website link to the Toluca Lake Business Directory.

Shadow Hills Mobile Notary Public

2010-11-05T15:06:00.000-07:00

Shadow Hills Notary

Are you in need of a mobile notary in the Shadow Hills area? I'm a traveling notary serving Los Angeles County. I operate my own notary public business, so there are never any added fees or agency costs. My mobile notary fee for Shadow Hills is $25 and this includes one notarized signature. Additional signatures are billed in accordance with the rates established by the California Secretary of State. In most cases additional signatures are just $10 each, though I do provide discounted rates to my repeat customers.

If you'd like to avoid paying a mobile fee, just arrange to meet me in Eagle Rock at Starbucks or Swork. All of the details are provided here: Shadow Hills Mobile Notary Public. I'm usually able to accommodate clients evenings and weekends, and will do my best to work your signing into my schedule.

My $25 travel notary special applies to the following areas: Altadena, Arcadia, Atwater Village, Burbank, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Glendale, Griffith Park, Highland Park, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Monrovia, Montrose, Mt. Washington, North Hollywood, Pasadena, San Marino, Shadow Hills, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland, Toluca Lake, and Van Nuys.

If you have a business in Shadow Hills, be sure to add your website link to the Shadow Hills Business Directory.

Glassell Park Mobile Notary Public

2010-11-03T21:06:00.000-07:00

Glassell Park Notary

Are you looking for a traveling notary in the Glassell Park area? I'm a mobile notary with my own notary public business. Because there is no middle man, I don't have to tack on extra fees or agency costs. My mobile notary fee for Glassell Park is $25 and this includes one notarized signature. Additional signatures are usually just $10 each, in accordance with the fees set up by the California Secretary of State.

You can avoid paying a mobile fee by meeting me in Eagle Rock at Starbucks or Swork. All of the details are provided here: Glassell Park Mobile Notary Public. Just let me know a time that works for you. I'm usually able to accommodate clients evenings and weekends, and appreciate as much notice as possible so I can work your signing into my schedule.

My $25 travel notary special applies to the following areas: Altadena, Arcadia, Atwater Village, Burbank, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Glendale, Griffith Park, Highland Park, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Monrovia, Montrose, Mt. Washington, North Hollywood, Pasadena, San Marino, Shadow Hills, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland, Toluca Lake, and Van Nuys.

If you have a business in Glassell Park, be sure to add your link to the Glassell Park Business Directory.

Pasadena, California Free Business Directory

2010-04-28T21:57:00.000-07:00

Do you have a business serves the Pasadena, California area? If so, please add your website link to the Pasadena Free Business Directory on Squidoo. Your website link will be posted on this site, and at least two others, including Pasadena, Calfornia Facts and Information, which features the current weather conditions and forecast, current Pasadena statistics, and the lastest blog posts and Twitter tweets about Pasadena, California.

It's easy to build a free website about your Pasadena business. Get all the details here: Promote Your Business Online for Free with Squidoo SquidZipper Lenses. I use them to promote my own mobile notary public business, and show you step-by-step how you can create one (or more) for your own business.

When your website or SquidZipper is ready to share, be sure to add it to the Pasadena, California Free Business Directory. All links submitted to the list require approval, so remember to check back and vote for yourself.

Post Your Los Angeles Business Links for Free

2010-04-15T22:06:00.000-07:00

As a service to my notary clients and website visitors, each of my SquidZipper notary websites includes a section for people to post their own website links. If you have a local business you'd like to promote in any of these areas, here's where to add your links:

Altadena
Arcadia
Atwater Village
Burbank
Downtown Los Angeles
Eagle Rock
Griffith Park
Highland Park
La Canada-Flintridge
La Crescenta
Los Angeles County
Los Feliz
Monrovia
Montrose
Mt. Washington
North Hollywood
Pasadena
San Marino
Sierra Madre
South Pasadena
Sunland
Van Nuys

The links will need to be approved first, but once they're posted you can return and vote them up. In addition, each of these websites has a guestbook. Feel free to post news about your local business! If you have a Squidoo lens about your business, I'll even feature it. Would you like to create your own SquidZipper lens? All the details are here:

Document Misspellings: Where's the Attention to Detail these Days?

2010-03-25T07:32:00.000-07:00

Two of my signings this week have involved documents with multiple misspellings and outdated or improper notarial language. In both cases the documents were prepared by attorneys, and I know my clients paid a lot for their services.

I admit I'm a little sensitive to this issue because my name is routinely botched on documents. My full name is "Kimberley" with the African spelling, and more often than not the extra "e" is missed. Who wants to correct and initial name spellings on an inch-thick loan package? Not me. I always make them reprint the documents until they get it right—especially after having given a heads up about the unusual spelling, which I always do.

In one of the cases I ran across this week, my client confided he had paid an attorney more than $20,000 to handle a situation for him five years ago. Our signing appointment involved a deed that had not been recorded properly by the attorney's office, caught now only because my client was refinancing his home. Not wanting to waste time on an unbillable task, the attorney's office merely provided my client with a clean copy of the document taken from five-year old files. One of the signer's names had since changed, and the notarial language in California changed in 2008.

In another case, my elderly client needed to execute a power of attorney document. Not only was her name misspelled, but so was one of her children's names. The notarial language was wrong as well, even though someone took the time to cut and paste two acknowledgments into the document.

Contrast this with a trust document signing I did last week for an attorney in Pasadena, who not only spelled my name correctly, but included it in the notarial language of the document just minutes after I handed him my business card. All I had to do was sign and stamp. I was astounded!

It just seems to me that when creating legal documents in the computer age, most tasks should involve pulling up a template and filling in a few blanks. At the very least, a client paying for legal services has a right to expect his or her name to be spelled properly in a legal document. No one likes to make hand written revisions and initial them, but the underlying issue is much more troubling. If someone can't make a serious effort to spell the principal's name correctly or even consistently throughout a document, what else might be wrong with it?

When I encounter a name mispelling on a legal document, I attach a California all-purpose acknowledgment or jurat form, rather than take a chance on a missed word or comma in the preparer's notarial language. Attention to detail should be what it's all about.

Eagle Rock, California Free Business Directory

2010-03-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

If your business is located in or serves the Eagle Rock, California area, please add your website link to the Eagle Rock Free Business Directory on Squidoo. Your website link will be posted on this site, and at least two others, including Eagle Rock, Calfornia Facts and Information, which features the current weather conditions and forecast, current Eagle Rock statistics, popular Zagat-rated restaurants, and the lastest blog posts and Twitter tweets about Eagle Rock, California.

It's easy to build a free website about your Eagle Rock business. Find out how here: Promote Your Business Online for Free with Squidoo SquidZipper Lenses. I use them successfully for my own mobile notary public business, and show you step-by-step how you can create one (or more) for your own business.

When your website or SquidZipper is ready to share, be sure to add it to the Eagle Rock, California Free Business Directory. All links submitted to the list require approval, so remember to check back and vote for yourself!

Author Eric Warren, president of the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society, has recently published a much-anticipated volume in the popular Images of America series. More than 200 maps, graphics, and photographs are assembled to illustrate Eagle Rock's development from a quiet valley into one of southern California's most desirable neighborhoods.

New Mobile Notary Price Structure

2010-03-16T11:12:00.000-07:00

I've revamped my pricing structure a bit to make things easier for my clients to understand. In the past I was charging a flat mobile fee, plus the appropriate notarization fees. I try to answer as many questions up front about what a job will cost, but sometimes my clients aren't sure of what they need. For example, a document package with "five signatures" sometimes ends up having only one requiring notarization. So it's often difficult for me to quote an exact price for my services.

In practice, I was giving multiple signature discounts and waiving mobile fees entirely for mortgage and trust packages. And, of course my regular clients enjoyed discounts too! That won't change—I appreciate my repeat customers.

So here's what I've decided to do. My new pricing structure features a flat $25 mobile fee for the areas I cover, and this fee now includes one signature. Additional signatures are $10 each, and these are typically accompanied by an acknowledgment or jurat form. All other California notarization fees are set by the Secretary of state. Thus, if your document requires one notarized signature, the fee will be $25. If your document requires two signatures, the fee will be $35. Much simpler, I think.

I work all over Los Angeles, but these are the areas where I advertise: Altadena, Arcadia, Atwater Village, Burbank, Downtown Los Angeles, Eagle Rock, Glendale, Griffith Park, Highland Park, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Los Angeles, Los Feliz, Monrovia, Montrose, Mt. Washington, Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland.

Even if you don't live in one of these areas, give me a call and I'll work something out or refer you to a notary closer to where you live.

And of course, I never charge a mobile fee for clients who meet me for coffee at Swork or Starbucks in Eagle Rock.

Establishing Identity with Credible Witnesses

2010-03-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

My pet peeve as a notary is dealing with signers who don't have proper identification. Not that it inconveniences me—it merely creates undue stress for my clients. Typically these are seniors who no longer drive or travel. I've encountered a few signers who haven't had a valid form of identification for more than 10 years, yet somehow they're able to write checks and function quite well in their day-to-day lives. However, it becomes a problem when someone without proper identification needs to have a document notarized.

Suppose you have a relative who needs to have a power of attorney document notarized and you're the person who will be assuming that responsibility. If this relative doesn't have a valid form of identification, it will be necessary for that person's identity to be established by the oaths of two credible witnesses. Before the oaths are administered, credible witnesses must present valid forms of identification as required by law, such as a driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles or a U.S. passport.

Under oath, the credible witness must swear or affirm that each of the following statements is true:

1. The individual appearing before the notary public as the signer of the document is the person named in the document.

2. The credible witness personally knows the signer.

3. The credible witness reasonably believes the circumstances of the signer are such that it would be very difficult or impossible for the signer to obtain another form of identification.

4. The signer does not possess any of the identification documents authorized by law to establish the signer's identity.

5. The credible witness does not have a financial interest and is not named in the document signed.

The credible witnesses then sign the notary public's journal, using the aforementioned documents to establish their identities.

I've done many signings this way and everything goes smoothly if the credible witnesses are in place with proper identification at the appointed time. I always ask ahead of time if a signer has a valid form of identification, and have been surprised a few times when it turned out not to be the case. Then it becomes a mad scramble assembling friends to vouch for the signer. These situations are always stressful for elderly and housebound signers who feel punished by the rules.

Of course, you're the one in control if you have a valid form of identification at all times. I always praise my non-driving clients who possess an up-to-date Senior Citizen identification card or other acceptable form of identification.

There is an exception to the scenario outlined above. If a signer's identity can be established by a credible witness whom a notary knows personally, the law only requires one credible witness. So it definitely pays to count a notary among your friends!

Signature by Mark

2010-02-11T19:56:00.000-08:00

Recently I've had a few clients who were unable to sign their names for various reasons. When this situation arises for a notary public, the law provides a solution. The person is allowed to sign the document by mark, usually by making an "X" on the signature line. It's not as simple as it sounds, and there are a few requirements to keep in mind. The person signing the document by mark has to go through the same identification process as any other signer. Proper identification must be shown, thus meeting the requirement for satisfactory evidence. Valid forms of identification in California include a DMV-issued identification card or driver's licence and a U.S. Passport. There are other acceptable forms of identification, but these are the ones I see most often in my own notary business.

The signer's mark must be witnessed by two people who sign their names as witnesses on the document. The first witness writes the signer's name next to the mark, then signs his or her name as Witness #1. The second person signs as Witness #2. By signing, the witnesses are only verifying that they saw the signer make a signature by mark. They're not required to provide identification to the notary public (unless they're also acting as credible witnesses, establishing the identity of someone without a valid form of identification).

The next step is for the signer to make their signature by mark in the notary public journal. This mark must be witnessed by someone who then writes the signer's name in the journal, and then signs his or her own name as witness.

I can't stress enough how important it is to possess a valid form of identification at all times. A state-issued identification card or senior citizen card is easily obtained, yet many people who no longer drive or travel neglect to take this important step. If you're responsible for the care of an elderly family member, take the time to secure an identification card for them. Assembling credible witnesses takes a bit of coordination, especially if you're dealing with multiple documents, and it often proves exasperating for signers in fragile health.

Protect Your Important Legal Documents

2009-12-11T12:30:00.000-08:00

Are your important legal documents and photographs safe from thieves, water and fire? If you had only a few minutes to retrieve valuables from your home, would you be able to find them quickly and take them with you?

The most reliable way to protect your vital documents at home is to keep them in a fireproof and waterproof safe. Here's a list of items that you might consider protecting: wills and trusts, deeds, titles, and other legal and financial documents, passports, birth certificates, diplomas, copies of marriage and vehicle licenses, a list of account numbers and credit card numbers, an inventory list of valuable household items, extra sets of keys, family photos, irreplaceable keepsakes, and cash.

The next best choice is a fireproof and waterproof portable case, one that you could grab easily in an emergency. Storing important papers in one place makes sense, and will add to your peace of mind in an unforseeable evacuation situation. You won't be running all over the house retrieving photo negatives and vital documents. They'll be safely stored in a totable case that you've placed in a predetermined location, one that all household members are aware of.

Many people play it doubly safe. They place original documents in a heavy duty fireproof/waterproof safe and store additional certified copies in a safety deposit box or with a trusted friend or family member. The important thing is to be organized and in complete control of your vital records at all times. No one is exempt from the possibility of a natural disaster, or worse yet, a thief.

What is a Notary Jurat?

2009-12-10T16:38:00.000-08:00

The jurat is the second most common form to be completed by a notary public, and is identified by the words "subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me." Jurat, from the Latin "juratum," meaning "sworn," is the name given to the clause on an affidavit that indicates when, where, and before whom the actual oath or affirmation was made. A person who makes the oath or affirmation is referred to as the "affiant."

According to California law, a notary public signature and seal cannot be affixed to a document without the proper notarial wording, as shown here:

State of California
County of _______________

Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on this _____ day of _________________, 20_____, by____________________, proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) who appeared before me.

(Seal) Signature of Notary______________________

A affiant must personally appear, swear to or affirm the truth, and sign an affidavit in the presence of someone authorized to take oaths. Appearing before a notary public is usually the easiest method of meeting this requirement. The oath is typically worded this way: "Do you swear or affirm that the statements on this document are true?" Unlike courtroom oaths, there is no legal requirement for the signer and notary public to raise their right hands, though many notaries choose to do so.

Find out more about notary acknowledgment and jurat forms, and print out a free California jurat form here:
What You Need to Know Before You Hire a Notary Public in California

What is a Notary Acknowledgment?

2009-12-08T18:01:00.000-08:00

An acknowledgment is the form most frequently completed by a notary public. It can accompany a wide range of documents in cases where the identity of the signer requires verification. The acknowledgment certifies that a signer personally appeared before a notary and provided a valid form of identification. The form also indicates the date and county where the actually signing took place. In California, a certificate of acknowledgment must be worded exactly as follows:

Acknowledgment

State of California
County of ____________)

On ____________ before me, ____________ (insert name and title of the officer) personally appeared ____________, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.

I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.

WITNESS my hand and official seal.

Notary Signature ____________ (Seal)

What if a word is missing? Will the County Recorder look the other way? Sorry... no way. I learned early in the game to attach my own all-purpose California acknowledgment certificate to any document headed for the County Recorder. Even the best mortgage and title companies make mistakes while cutting and pasting text for their inch-thick mortgage and loan documents. A notary in this situation is better off playing it safe and using an all-purpose form for deeds.

A notary is not responsible for choosing the proper form to attach to a document. Before you contact a notary be sure to find out which form is required for your signing (acknowledgment, jurat, affidavit, etc.) In most cases notary forms will be included in your document package, though the actual notarial language may vary depending on the state in which the document originated. For example, last week I notarized a loan package for a home mortgage in Texas. The notarial language did not match what is required in California, so I attached all-purpose acknowledgment forms to comply with the law.

Find out more about the certificate of acknowledgment, and print out a free California acknowledgment form here:
What You Need to Know Before You Hire a Notary Public in California

How to Plan a Jail Wedding in Los Angeles

2009-12-05T19:44:00.000-08:00

I've had several calls from clients in need of this service, and would like to outline the procedure for obtaining a marriage license in Los Angeles County, where I work as a notary.

The County Recorder requires identifications from the bride, groom, and the officiant who will be performing the wedding ceremony. Each form of identification must be valid, original, and in good condition. Valid forms of identification in California must include a photograph, description of the person, signature of the person, and an identifying number. In most cases, signers use a California Driver's License or a passport. An inmate in custody may also have an inmate identification card.

Once valid forms of identification are confirmed for all parties, an "Inability to Appear" package must be obtained from the County Recorder. At this point, the notary will have the incarcerated person complete the "Affidavit of Inability to Appear" form, the marriage license application, and a Jurat (oath) notarial form. The notary cannot be the one who will perform the wedding ceremony -- that person is the officiant.

The bride or groom and the officiant must appear together at the County Recorder with the aforementioned documents and valid forms of identification for the bride, groom and officiant. Assuming there are no problems, the request for the marriage license is processed, the license fee is paid, and the marriage license is issued that day.

After the marriage license is issued, the couple must comply with the facility's procedures for intimate weddings. During this process, a date will be set for the wedding ceremony. When permission is granted, the officiant is notified about the date and time scheduled for the ceremony. The officiant will then appear at the appointed time to perform the wedding ceremony, which usually takes place during normal visiting hours through glass. The officiant then completes the wedding license and leaves as quickly as possible to file it with the County Recorder (the newlyweds are then free to spend the remainder of their visit time together).

A certified copy of the marriage license/certification can be obtained 6 to 8 weeks after the filing, though expedited service can usually be arranged ahead of time through the officiant.

Are you planning a jail ceremony? Watch out for scam artists. If anyone wants to perform your wedding ceremony over the phone, hang up! In California, such ceremonies are not legal. Similarly, if anyone wants to sell you a marriage license, they're not being truthful. Marriage licenses must be obtained and purchased from the County Recorder. In Los Angeles County you will need to contact the incarcerated party's facility for a list of approved officiants.

Squidon'ts for SquidZipper Lenses

2009-11-04T12:23:00.000-08:00

My last post described how I promote my mobile notary business for free with Squidoo SquidZipper lenses. Straightforward and to the point -- or so I thought.

I just got a call from a notary who saw one of my SquidZipper sites and wanted to know how they were working out for me. After half a dozen probing questions about my background, I started to smell a rat. My instincts are that this guy wanted to sell me something, but he never got that far in his pitch. When I asked him to get to the point, he said he was trying to determine if Squidoo would be a waste of his time.

As I stated before, I have more than 20 SquidZipper lenses covering several zip codes in my area. Some of the lenses do better with search engine results than others. I hedged my bets and created a stable of lenses. As a result, I get a lot of calls from people seeking a mobile notary in my local area. Many callers state right off the bat that they found me on Google or Yahoo.

Will SquidZippers work for other notaries? I don't see why not, and it sure beats spending hundreds of dollars on notary directories that seldom perform. If you're a notary public and want to give Squidoo a try, everything you need to know is here: How to Promote Your Notary Public Business for Free with Squidoo SquidZipper Lenses.

So what's in it for me, you must be wondering? Actually, nothing. I'm merely sharing my SquidZipper experiences with other notaries and business professionals.

If you decide to build a free SquidZipper lens of your own, I'll be more than happy to answer your questions and provide support. Just leave a guestbook comment on one of my Squidoo lenses. There is also a busy SquidU forum where other lensmasters are available to critique and offer suggestions to newbies. I can't possibly predict how well a SquidZipper lens will perform for your mobile notary business, but your only investment is one of time.

By the way, you don't have to be a notary to use SquidZipper. My companion site, How to Promote Any Business for Free with Squidoo SquidZipper Lenses, provides step-by-step instructions for promoting any local business. Why not make one lens and see how it does in searches for your top keywords? If it works, build a few more. Then it's just a matter of keeping them fresh and updated. Good luck!

Mobile Notaries: Promote for Free with Squidoo

2009-10-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

If someone Googles "notary" plus "your town" does your notary website come up in the search? Do you even have your own notary website? If you knew it was possible to establish an online presence and attract targeted leads for free, would that interest you?

I'm a mobile notary public in Eagle Rock, California. If you Google "notary" and "Eagle Rock," my website usually comes up on the first page. These are highly targeted leads, and I don't pay one penny for them.

In addition to my Eagle Rock notary site, I have more than 20 other websites based on zip codes in my coverage area. The format I follow is called SquidZipper, and it's available for free through Squidoo. SquidZipper was designed to support real estate professionals, but the sites work very well for notaries, and in fact for any business that relies on local leads.

All the details are here: Promote Your Notary Public Business for Free with Squidoo SquidZipper Lenses.

I've included step-by-step instructions for creating your first SquidZipper website -- a "lens" in Squidoo parlance. It's free, and you can even set up your lenses to earn a monthly income for yourself or charity.

Senior Citizens Need Valid Identification

2009-10-27T18:12:00.000-07:00

My first experience as a mobile notary was one I'll never forget. My ostensibly housebound client was in her eighties and didn't possess a current form of valid identification. Yes, I did ask ahead of time. The job was contracted through her attorney, who assured me that she did. I would have had more empathy for the woman if she had been a pleasant person, but she was not. She tossed credit cards and family photo albums in my direction, exclaiming that I must be an idiot if I couldn't see with my own eyes who she was. "I don't drive, I don't travel... why do I need identification?" You get the idea. I proceeded to outline the remaining options, but she claimed that none of her neighbors were home to vouch for her signature. After several minutes of verbal abuse, I packed my bag and prepared to leave.

Suddenly, the neighbor idea appealed to her. I knocked on a few doors and found two local residents who were willing to help out. Was my client grateful that I went the extra mile to notarize her document? On the contrary. She called me names, told me that other notaries never asked for identification (highly unlikely) and even called the next day to chastise me after one neighbor complained about having to show proof of her identity. Needless to say, I "thanked" her attorney for the ambush. I'm sure he was all too aware of her sour disposition, and had probably been on the receiving end of her wrath a few times himself.

Over the years I've received many inquiries from people calling on behalf of elderly family members who don't have proper identification. These assignments almost always involve power of attorney or trust issues. Obviously, family members who might later benefit from these documents can't vouch for the person signing. It takes a bit of coordination to get the signer and witnesses together at the same time, particularly if the signer is in declining health.

In California, where I am commissioned, there are several valid forms of identification. The most logical choice for a person who does not drive or travel is a state-issued identification card, which contains a photograph, description of the person, signature of the person, and an identifying number. Why add stress to an already stressful situation. Plan ahead and be sure to possess a valid identification card at all times. You never know when you'll need it, and your family members will thank you for being prepared.

Image used under Creative Commons from ibison4 (Flickr)