Sundance Mobile Notary Mobile Notary Public and Certified Notary Signing Agent Berkeley / Oakland / San Francisco California 510-681-0045

Questions and Answers

Here's a sampling of questions, answers, and other useful information regarding California notarizations and related subjects.  We hope you find this information helpful.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 510-681-0045 or email info@sundancenotary.com

- Apostille information

- Can a birth certificate be notarized?

- Loan modification help and information

- Can a passport or driver's license be notarized?

- How to determine whether a document requires notarizing

- Does notarization guarantee that a document is "true" or "legal"?

- Can a document be notarized if the signer does not have proper identification?

- How much advance notice is required to schedule an appointment with Sundance Mobile Notary?

Apostille information
Perhaps you've been told that you need an apostille for a document you're sending to another country, and you're wondering what an apostille is and how to get it done.  The following is a brief explanation of the apostille purpose and process.  (If you'd like us to assist you in obtaining your apostille, please contact us for a price quote.  We can do all of the legwork for you if you so desire.)

The Purpose of an Apostille: An apostille is a certificate that authenticates notarizations for documents traveling internationally.  It allows documents to be notarized in one country (for example, the U.S.) and sent to another country, which then accepts the notarized documents as valid, thanks to the attached apostille.  (Apostilles can also be done without notarization for certified copies of certain documents, including marriage certificates.)

The Process of Obtaining an Apostille in California: First, your document is notarized by a California notary public.  Then, the notary's signature is verified by the clerk-recorder's office in the county where the notary is commissioned.  Finally, the California Secretary of State's office attaches an apostille certificate to the notarized document.

Your notarized document - apostille and all - is now ready for delivery to any nation that exchanges apostilles with the U.S.  For a list of all participating nations, visit http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=states.listing.  For additional apostille information from the California Secretary of State, visit http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/notary_authentication.htm.

See our Apostille page for additional apostille information.

If you'd like us to help you obtain your apostille, please call 510-681-0045.  We can do all of the legwork for you.

Can a birth certificate be notarized?
In California, a notary public is not permitted to notarize any vital records, including birth certificates.  However, it is permissible to notarize affidavits that refer to certified copies of those vital records.  So first you obtain a certified copy of the vital record from the clerk/recorder's office in the county where the event (e.g., the birth) occurred.  Then you compose a simple affidavit, which you then have notarized.  The vital record, accompanied by the notarized affidavit, provides the desired legal result.

Loan modification help and information
Many people have heard about loan modification, but they may not be sure exactly what it is, whether it's right for them, whether they might qualify, or how to obtain a good loan modification.  Here's some information to help you understand more about loan modifications:

"Loan Modifications are changes to your loan agreement.  Your payments get more affordable, and you don’t have to default on your loan.  Banks choose to offer loan modification programs because it is easier to work with you than to go after you."  (Definition courtesy of About.com.)

"A loan modification is a modification to an existing loan made by a lender in response to a borrower's long-term inability to repay the loan.  Loan modifications typically involve a reduction in the interest rate on the loan, an extension of the length of the term of the loan, a different type of loan or any combination of the three.  A lender might be open to modifying a loan because the cost of doing so is less than the cost of default."  (Definition courtesy of Answers.com.)

"This is a process whereby a homeowner's mortgage is modified and both lender and homeowner are bound by the new terms.  The most common modifications are lowering the interest rate, reducing the principal balance, 'fixing' adjustable interest rates, increasing the loan term, forgiveness of payment defaults & fees, or any combination of these."  (Definition courtesy of Wikipedia.org.)

Loan modifications are quite popular, and there are many unscrupulous individuals offering loan modifications that can actually cause more harm than good.  If you'd like more information or assistance with loan modifications, we'll be glad to put you in touch with an ethical, DRE-approved loan modification company.  For more information, please call us at 510-681-0045.

Can a passport or driver's license be notarized?
The actual passport or driver's license cannot be notarized, but for these types of documents a California notary can perform a "copy certification by document custodian".  To do this, the holder of the original document makes a photocopy of the document, and certifies the copy by means of a written statement.  The notary then notarizes this signed, written statement.

How to determine whether a document requires notarizing
The entity that issues a document should indicate to you - either orally or in writing - whether notarizing is necessary.  If you see the presence of notarial wording on a document, it's reasonable to presume that notarization is required.  But the absence of notarial wording does not necessarily mean that a document does not require notarizing (sometimes the notarial wording is omitted).  So if you're not sure, don't be afraid to ask.  If you're creating your own document, whether to have it notarized is often a personal decision made by the parties to the document.  However, some documents - such as deeds and powers of attorney - always require notarizing, regardless of their source.

Does notarization guarantee that a document is "true" or "legal"?
Not necessarily.  The notary public is held accountable for verifying the identity of signers and for maintaining an official journal containing required information regarding each notarization.  But the notary is not responsible for the accuracy, content, or legality of documents.  Notarization does not guarantee that the information contained in a document is true, nor that the notarized document will "hold up" to challenge in a court of law.  However, a skilled notary can provide valuable assistance and guidance (although not legal advice) to help you understand the meaning, purpose, and potential ramifications of your documents.

Can a document be notarized if the signer does not have proper identification?
Yes, usually by using two "credible identifying witnesses".  If you don't have - and cannot reasonably obtain - appropriate photo identification, these witnesses must know you and your circumstances.  They cannot be named in your document, nor can they be in a position to benefit from the notarization (in other words, they cannot be "parties" to the document in any way).  They provide their own appropriate photo identification, you sign the document in their presence, they sign your document as witnesses, and they are administered an oath in which the notary public asks them a series of questions about you.  Your document can then be notarized.

How much advance notice is required to schedule an appointment with Sundance Mobile Notary?
You can schedule your appointment the same day - including rush appointments - as well as days or weeks in advance.  For rush appointments, we can usually meet you within as little as one hour or less, depending upon your location and our availability.  To schedule your convenient appointment, please call 510-681-0045.

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