What Is a Notary Public?
A notary public is an official appointed by the state government to serve as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents. In California, notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State and are authorized to perform specific official acts including acknowledging signatures, administering oaths, and certifying copies of documents.
What Does a Notary Do?
When a notary notarizes a document, they verify three things:
- Identity — The signer is who they claim to be, verified by government-issued photo ID
- Willingness — The signer is signing voluntarily and not under duress
- Awareness — The signer understands what they are signing and is competent to do so
Why Is Notarization Required?
Notarization provides a layer of fraud prevention and legal assurance. Courts, government agencies, financial institutions, and foreign countries often require notarization to ensure that documents are authentic and properly executed. A notarized document carries greater legal weight than an unwitnessed signature.
What a Notary Cannot Do
A notary public is not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice, draft legal documents, or tell you what documents you need. If you need legal guidance, consult an attorney. A notary certifies the signing process — not the content of the document.
California Notary Fees
California law caps notary fees at $15 per notarized signature. This fee covers the notarization itself. Travel fees for mobile notary services are separate and always disclosed upfront.