Do Banks Notarize Documents in Brea?
What is a notary? Many people who even use notaries consistently cannot answer this question.
Notaries are trustworthy individuals commissioned by their state to verify another’s identity for legal purposes. To state that someone has been verified, a notary public places their signature and unique seal (stamp or embosser) on a certificate to clarify the level of verification made between the notary and the individual.
A common misconception is that notaries notarize documents. This is not true. Notaries notarize, in a nutshell, an individual’s identity. While notaries must view documents for completeness (no blanks or missing pages), the contents of a document do not matter to a notary.
While anything can be notarized, there are typical documents that get notarized more frequently than others. Some popular notarized documents are living wills and trusts, employment verifications, advanced health care directives, power of attorney, deeds, domestic partnership, estate plans, lease agreements, passports, release of interest, spousal transfer, interspousal transfer, subordination, vital records request, birth certificate request, marriage license request, and more!
But, a question a notary public will a lot is, “How do I know if my document needs to be notarized?” The answer is, someone tells you. That sounds fairly simple, but it is. You will only need to notarize documents if the powers that be require you to.
Do banks notarize documents in Brea? The short answer is yes. The long answer is that banks in Brea, while most credit unions and banks you belong to will charge you nothing to get your items notarized you will have to drive to them (during business hours), wait in line, and sit with someone who is not trained in how certain documents need guidance. For example, if you have a living trust or a health care directive, the bank notary public may not know if you filled it out correctly.
If you don't have access to a notary public at a bank, what are your other options? Finding a mobile notary public in Brea is your answer! We come to you on your schedule (day/night, holidays or weekends), and are trained to guide you to the best of our legal abilities with your documents.
Once you have your appointment set with your notary, there are a few tips that can help you have a smooth appointment. First is identification. While all states are slightly different, California only allows certain identifications to be used for notarized. You can use your US driver’s license, US non-driver’s identification, most passports and driver’s license (not non-driver’s identification) from Canada or Mexico and long as they are valid (non-expired) or within 5 years of the issue date. Other forms of identification are accepted with the same rules (valid or within 5 years of issue date) but almost MUST have a photo, personal description, signature and serial number. These are military ID cards, identification issued by jails or prisons, and federally recognized Native tribes. Second, if your name is listed on your documents, it must be listed the same on your ID. Some exceptions are the “more, not less” rule. If your ID names you as Michael H. Douglass but your paperwork names you as Mike Douglass, in the state of California, we are allowed to recognize this. If your paper work names you as Cassandra Marie Thornton but your ID only has your listed as Cassandra Thornton, we will be unable to ID you due to your middle name not being present on your ID. Third, please ask the requesting power which type of certificate you will need for notarization. Typically, they will request an acknowledgement (validating your identity and your signature, in short) or a jurat (validating your identity, your signature, and your oath that the document is true to your belief). As your notary, we are unable to make this decision for you even if we know which one is required. Lastly, for success, ask the requesting powers if there is preprinted paperwork, if you need to create your own or if there is a template for you to follow. As your notary, we are unable to provide, help, or create the documents you are needing notarization for. Some requesting powers, like police tow yards, will require the notarization to be on the same page as your letter, however, they will not tell you that unless you ask.