1. The document(s) that you want notarized, unless you let us know to print it for you.

2. VALID (issued within the last 5 years) government identification for each person who's signature is being notarized - this ID must contain your photo and signature. The signature on your ID must match your signature on the document.

3. Payment for notary services.

Acceptable forms of ID:

• State Drivers license or identification card - DMV

• U.S. passport issued by the U.S. Department of State

• U.S. military ID

• State, county and local government IDs

• Foreign passport

• Driver's license officially issued in Mexico or Canada

• Inmate ID issued by the State Department of Corrections or Federal Bureau of Prisons*

• Inmate ID issued by a county sheriff, if the inmate is in the custody of the county sheriff*

• An identification card issued by a federally recognized tribal government

With an acknowledgement, you're signing your document in the presence of a notary, verifying your identity and that you’re willingly signing or have willingly signed the document.

A jurat is a written statement at the end of a document that affirms the document was signed in the presence of a notary and sworn or affirmed by the signer as true. The notary certifies that the signer appeared and signed the document in front of them and swore or affirmed that the contents in the document are true.

A power of attorney is a legal document granting one person the authority (the agent) to act on another person’s (the principal's) behalf. To notarize this, the principal must appear and sign the document in front of the notary: The notary essentially can acknowledge the principal's identity and signature. A notary can also certify a copy of the power of attorney document.

You tell the notary what service you need and it will be completed.

No worries! Bring two credible witnesses who personally know you and can verify their identity with the acceptable ID. The credible witnesses will swear or affirm that they know you (the signer) and that you are the person described in the document.

A notary is not authorized to give legal advice or tell you what service to get. But you can ask the document creator or the group who will be receiving the notarized document. If they aren't sure either, you may need to contact a lawyer or refer to the California Secretary of State.