Before the appointment
What to have ready
Four things. Getting them right is the difference between a ten-minute appointment and a wasted trip for both of us.
What to have ready
Four things. Getting them right is the difference between a ten-minute appointment and a wasted trip.
Valid, unexpired photo ID
Government-issued, with your photograph and signature — driver’s licence, state ID, passport, or military ID. Check the expiry date now, not at the door. An expired ID is the single most common reason a signing cannot go ahead.
The document, unsigned
Complete, with no blank fields left, but do not sign it yet. Some notarial acts require your signature to be made in front of the notary and cannot be performed on a page you already signed.
Every signer, in person
Everyone whose signature is being notarized has to be physically present with their own ID. A notary cannot notarize for someone who is not in the room, however well you know them.
Any witnesses your document requires
Some documents need witnesses in addition to the notary, and a witness usually cannot be someone who benefits from the document. Ask when you call and we will tell you what your document needs.
Bring it unsigned
This is the instruction people most often get wrong. Some notarial acts require your signature to be made in front of the notary, and cannot be performed on a page you have already signed — so a completed, signed document can mean a second appointment.
Fill everything in. Leave the signature line empty.
What goes wrong
The five reasons a signing gets stopped
None of these are judgement calls. They are limits on what a notary is permitted to do, and no notary can waive them for you.
- The ID has expired
- Check the date on every signer’s ID today, not at the appointment. An expired licence cannot be accepted no matter how recognisable the photo is.
- A signer is not there
- Every person whose signature is notarized must be present with their own ID. There is no way around this, including for a spouse or an adult child.
- The document was signed early
- Some acts require the signature to be made in front of the notary. Leave it blank and sign at the appointment.
- Blank fields left in the document
- A notary cannot notarize a document with blanks that change its meaning. Complete it first, or bring the person who can.
- The signer cannot communicate willingness
- Sedation, unconsciousness, or an inability to indicate understanding will stop a bedside signing. If you are unsure, describe the situation when you call.
Not sure whether your situation is one of these? Call (559) 614-4664 and describe it. We would rather talk you out of an appointment than take one that cannot go ahead.
Request a signing
Book the appointment
ID checked, document unsigned, everyone available at the same time. Tell us where and when.
If it is urgent
Do not use the form. Calling is always faster, and the phone is answered during 9am – 6pm, monday to friday.
Call (559) 614-4664