Welcome to the “Need to Know” Section
This section is designed to provide you with essential information about the notary services we offer and the documents that require notarization. Whether you’re unfamiliar with notarization or need clarification on specific documents, we’re here to help guide you through the process.
There are particular instances or a few exceptions where a notary doesn’t need to notarize or can refuse to notarize a document.
* If a document has a white-out, then a notary will refuse to notarize it because they don’t understand the complete contents.
* If the signer is not present or the document is incomplete.
* If the signer cannot understand the document’s contents, then the notary cannot notarize the document.
* If the signer cannot provide an adequate identification clause.
* If the signer is a minor, or you believe it has been coerced into signing.
* Wills and birth/death certificates are not notarized.
A Power of Attorney Document is a legal document that gives a person, or persons, (otherwise known as an agent or attorney-in-fact) the power to act on another persons (otherwise known as the principle) behalf regarding, property, finances, or health depending on the scope of the powers given.
There are three most common types of Power of Attorney documents you are most likely to encounter.
* General Power of Attorney – which grants broad powers to an agent to handle affairs and manage assets and becomes void once the signer becomes incapacitated.
* Durable Power of Attorney – which grants limited powers to handle specific areas of life.
* Limited Power of Attorney – is similar to a general Power of Attorney but contains specific language that states the document is not affected by incapacitation.
Notarization is the official fraud-deterrent process that assures the parties of a transaction that a document is authentic, and can be trusted. It is a three-part process, performed by a Notary Public, that includes of vetting, certifying and record-keeping. Notarizations are sometimes referred to as “notarial acts.
In California, the method for notarizing an individual without a government issued photo ID (unexpired) is straightforward. The person must find two credible witnesses who know and can identify the individual, and are willing to swear to this fact.
Type of Documents
Complete List for Notarization
- Sworn Statement
- Quitclaim Deed
- Statement of Consent
- Application for Duplicate
- Power of Attorney
- Deed of Trust
- Release and Waiver
- Parental Consent for Travel
- Affidavit of Forgery
- Assignment
- Certificate of Authorship
- Certificate of Identity
- Plea Form
- Rental Agreement
- Grant Deed
- Deed of Trust
- Compliance Agreement
- Name Affidavit
- Copy Certification By Document Custodian
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Advance Health Care Directive
- Spousal Waiver
- Demand Letter
- Guaranty
- Contract
- Student Enrollment Verification
- Amendment to Revocable Trust
- Intercreditor Agreement
- Modification Agreement
- Subordination Agreement
- Resignation of Trustee
- Unclaimed Property Form
- Authorization
- Living Trust
- Bill of Sale
Affidavit of Forgery
A statement attesting that a document has been fraudulently produced using a forged signature.
Grant Deed
A legal document used to transfer ownership or real property. The grantor is the person transferring the property, and each grantor must sign the deed.
Living Trust
A legal document, or trust, created during an individual’s lifetime where a designated person, the trustee, is given responsibility for managing that individual’s assets for the benefit of the eventual beneficiary.
Contract
A legally binding document that recognizes and governs the rights and duties of the parties of the agreement. A contract typically involves the exchange of goods, services, money, or promises of any of those. While some states and contracts do not require notarization, it can be very beneficial for the contract to be notarized if potential legal disputes arise between the parties.
Temporary Guardianship Agreement
A document that formally turns over the care of your children to another adult for a specified period.
Medical Authorization for Minor
A legal document providing someone other than the parent or legal guardian temporary rights to seek and provide healthcare and healthcare decisions on behalf of their child. This is most commonly utilized by grandparents, daycare providers, babysitters, teachers, coaches, or trusted friends. In addition to medical decisions, through the use of Child Power of Attorney, a parent or guardian can assign other responsibilities such as education powers and everyday caretaker.
Identity Theft Complaint and Affidavit
A notarially certified document certifying the person has become a victim of fraud with personal data. The affidavit provides the appropriate information for businesses and creditors, which is necessary to prevent or minimize damage from malicious actions.
Application for Duplicate Title
If your original title has been lost, damaged, or stolen, and the owner has to apply for a replacement. As goes for most documents on this list, it is a state-by-state case if this application must be notarized, so check with your state before beginning to fill out your application.
Unclaimed Property Form
Unclaimed property is money or another asset that has gone dormant and is ultimately deemed abandoned by its owner. Most state websites provide more information on filing your claim along with your notarized document depending on the state and type of property being claimed.
Deed of Trust
A document where the borrower transfers the legal title for its property to a trustee who holds the property in trust as security for the payment of the debt to the lender.
Quitclaim Deed
Used to transfer any ownership that someone (the grantor) has in a piece of property to another party (the grantee), without providing a warranty. The grantor does not guarantee there are no other claims to the property in existence. This is the main reason that Quitclaim Deeds are mostly used to transfer property between family members and spouses.
Bill of Sale
A legal document that records the transfer of ownership of an asset to a second party in exchange for money. Bill of Sale is most commonly used when transferring ownership of automobiles, aircraft, watercraft, and personal property such as jewelry or art.
Parental Consent for Travel
This form is used for any minor that has permission from their parent or legal guardian to travel either domestically or internationally with someone else, group, or organization. While 1 parent’s signature will usually suffice, it is suggested that both parents or legal guardians sign the consent form.
Passport Parental Consent
Form DS-3053 is required when one parent or guardian who does not have sole legal custody applies for a minor’s passport since the general rule requires the signature of both parents. The non-applying parent or guardian must complete the form and have it notarized to provide consent for the applying parent or guardian to obtain the passport.
Passport Parental Consent
Form DS-3053 is required when one parent or guardian who does not have sole legal custody applies for a minor’s passport since the general rule requires the signature of both parents. The non-applying parent or guardian must complete the form and have it notarized to provide consent for the applying parent or guardian to obtain the passport.
Parental Consent for Travel
This form is used for any minor that has permission from their parent or legal guardian to travel either domestically or internationally with someone else, group, or organization. While 1 parent’s signature will usually suffice, it is suggested that both parents or legal guardians sign the consent form.
Bill of Sale
A legal document that records the transfer of ownership of an asset to a second party in exchange for money. Bill of Sale is most commonly used when transferring ownership of automobiles, aircraft, watercraft, and personal property such as jewelry or art.
Quitclaim Deed
Used to transfer any ownership that someone (the grantor) has in a piece of property to another party (the grantee), without providing a warranty. The grantor does not guarantee there are no other claims to the property in existence. This is the main reason that Quitclaim Deeds are mostly used to transfer property between family members and spouses.
Deed of Trust
A document where the borrower transfers the legal title for its property to a trustee who holds the property in trust as security for the payment of the debt to the lender.
Unclaimed Property Form
Unclaimed property is money or another asset that has gone dormant and is ultimately deemed abandoned by its owner. Most state websites provide more information on filing your claim along with your notarized document depending on the state and type of property being claimed.
Application for Duplicate Title
If your original title has been lost, damaged, or stolen, and the owner has to apply for a replacement. As goes for most documents on this list, it is a state-by-state case if this application must be notarized, so check with your state before beginning to fill out your application.
Identity Theft Complaint and Affidavit
A notarially certified document certifying the person has become a victim of fraud with personal data. The affidavit provides the appropriate information for businesses and creditors, which is necessary to prevent or minimize damage from malicious actions.
Medical Authorization for Minor
A legal document providing someone other than the parent or legal guardian temporary rights to seek and provide healthcare and healthcare decisions on behalf of their child. This is most commonly utilized by grandparents, daycare providers, babysitters, teachers, coaches, or trusted friends. In addition to medical decisions, through the use of Child Power of Attorney, a parent or guardian can assign other responsibilities such as education powers and everyday caretaker.
Temporary Guardianship Agreement
A document that formally turns over the care of your children to another adult for a specified period.
Contract
A legally binding document that recognizes and governs the rights and duties of the parties of the agreement. A contract typically involves the exchange of goods, services, money, or promises of any of those. While some states and contracts do not require notarization, it can be very beneficial for the contract to be notarized if potential legal disputes arise between the parties.
Living Trust
A legal document, or trust, created during an individual’s lifetime where a designated person, the trustee, is given responsibility for managing that individual’s assets for the benefit of the eventual beneficiary.
Grant Deed
A legal document used to transfer ownership or real property. The grantor is the person transferring the property, and each grantor must sign the deed.
Affidavit of Forgery
A statement attesting that a document has been fraudulently produced using a forged signature.
Complete List for Notarization
- Sworn Statement
- Quitclaim Deed
- Statement of Consent
- Application for Duplicate
- Power of Attorney
- Deed of Trust
- Release and Waiver
- Parental Consent for Travel
- Affidavit of Forgery
- Assignment
- Certificate of Authorship
- Certificate of Identity
- Plea Form
- Rental Agreement
- Grant Deed
- Deed of Trust
- Compliance Agreement
- Name Affidavit
- Copy Certification By Document Custodian
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Advance Health Care Directive
- Spousal Waiver
- Demand Letter
- Guaranty
- Contract
- Student Enrollment Verification
- Amendment to Revocable Trust
- Intercreditor Agreement
- Modification Agreement
- Subordination Agreement
- Resignation of Trustee
- Unclaimed Property Form
- Authorization
- Living Trust
- Bill of Sale