General Mobile Notary Questions

1. What is a mobile notary?

A mobile notary is a California Notary Public who travels to your location to notarize documents. Rather than visiting an office, we come to your home, business, hospital, assisted living community, skilled nursing facility, attorney's office, or another mutually convenient location.

2. What does a Notary Public do?

A California Notary Public verifies the identity of each signer, confirms they are signing willingly, and completes the notarization in accordance with California law.

3. What is the difference between a mobile notary and a traditional notary?

A traditional notary works from a fixed office location. A mobile notary travels to you, making the process more convenient and accessible.

4. Why should I hire a mobile notary?

A mobile notary saves you time and provides convenient service at your preferred location, especially when travel is difficult or time is limited.

5. What areas do you serve?

415 Notary proudly serves Marin County and Sonoma County, including Novato, San Rafael, Mill Valley, Petaluma, Penngrove, Cotati, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sonoma, and surrounding communities.

6. How do I schedule an appointment?

Appointments may be requested online through our Appointment Request page or by calling or texting directly.

7. Do you offer same-day appointments?

Whenever availability allows, we do our best to accommodate same-day and urgent appointments.

8. Do you work evenings and weekends?

Yes. Evening and weekend appointments are available by appointment.

9. How long does a notarization take?

Most appointments take between 15 and 45 minutes depending on the documents and number of signers.

10. How much does a mobile notary cost?

California notarial acts are charged according to state law. A separate travel fee applies based on your location. Contact us for a personalized quote.

Identification

11. What identification is required?

Each signer must present valid government-issued identification that meets California notarial requirements.

12. Can I use an expired driver's license?

Some recently expired IDs may be acceptable under California law. Contact us if you're unsure.

13. What if I don't have identification?

California law allows the use of credible witnesses in certain situations. Contact us before scheduling to determine whether this option may apply.

14. Does every signer need identification?

Yes. Every signer whose signature is being notarized must present satisfactory identification.

15. Can someone else identify me?

Only if California's credible witness requirements are met.

Trust & Estate Planning

16. Can you notarize Living Trusts?

Yes. We regularly notarize Living Trusts, Trust Amendments, Certifications of Trust, and related estate planning documents.

17. Can you notarize a Last Will and Testament?

California allows notarization of signatures on certain documents, but a standard will typically does not require notarization to be valid. Your attorney can advise you regarding your specific estate plan.

18. Can you notarize a Certification of Trust?

Yes.

19. Can you notarize Trust Amendments?

Yes.

20. Can you notarize Grant Deeds/ Interspousal Transfer Grant Deeds?

Yes.

21. Can you notarize Quitclaim Deeds?

Yes.

22. Can you come to my attorney's office?

Absolutely.

23. Do you work with estate planning attorneys?

Yes. We regularly assist attorneys and their clients with estate planning signings.

Power of Attorney

24. Can you notarize a Power of Attorney?

Yes.

25. What types of Power of Attorney do you notarize?

Durable, Financial, Medical, Limited, General, and Real Estate Powers of Attorney.

26. Can you explain my Power of Attorney?

No. California Notaries cannot provide legal advice.

27. Can my parent sign a POA in a nursing home?

Yes, provided the signer meets California's legal requirements for notarization.

Advance Health Care Directives

28. Can you notarize an Advance Health Care Directive?

Yes.

29. Does every Advance Health Care Directive require notarization?

No. Some may be executed with qualified witnesses instead. Consult your attorney or healthcare provider.

30. What if the signer lives in a skilled nursing facility?

Certain California laws may require a Long-Term Care Ombudsman to witness specific healthcare directives executed by skilled nursing facility residents. Your attorney or healthcare provider can advise you.

31. What is a Long-Term Care Ombudsman?

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman is an independent advocate for residents of skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities. They help protect residents' rights and, in certain circumstances, may serve as a required witness for Advance Health Care Directives.

Hospitals & Healthcare Facilities

32. Can you come to a hospital?

Yes.

33. Can you come to an ICU?

Yes, provided hospital policies permit visitors and the signer can communicate and sign willingly.

34. Can you notarize documents in hospice?

Yes.

35. Can you visit rehabilitation centers?

Yes.

36. Can you travel to assisted living communities?

Yes.

37. Can you travel to skilled nursing facilities?

Yes.

38. Can family members remain in the room?

Generally yes, provided the signer is acting voluntarily and can communicate directly with the notary.

39. What if the signer cannot communicate?

California law requires the signer to communicate directly with the notary and appear to understand the transaction. If these requirements are not met, the notarization cannot proceed.

Loan Signings

40. Do you perform loan signings?

Yes.

41. Are you an NNA Certified Loan Signing Agent?

Yes.

42. What loan packages do you handle?

Purchases, refinances, HELOCs, reverse mortgages, seller packages, and commercial loans.

43. Do you provide scanbacks?

Yes.

44. Do you provide same-day shipping?

Whenever possible, yes.

45. Do you have title and escrow experience?

Yes. Our background includes working in title and escrow, providing valuable insight into real estate transactions.

Witnesses

46. Do I need witnesses?

Some documents require witnesses while others do not. Please refer to your attorney or the party requesting the document to be signed and notarized.

47. Can you provide witnesses?

Witnesses may be available for an additional fee with advance notice.

48. Can family members serve as witnesses?

It depends on the document. Consult your attorney or the document preparer.

Travel & Service Area

49. Do you travel to homes?

Yes.

50. Do you travel to offices?

Yes.

51. Do you travel to coffee shops?

Yes.

52. Can we meet somewhere public?

Yes. Cafes, libraries, and restaurants are commonly used.

53. Do you travel outside Marin and Sonoma Counties?

Depending on availability and location, we may be able to accommodate appointments outside our primary service area.

Legal Questions

54. Can you tell me which document I need?

No. California Notaries cannot recommend legal documents or provide legal advice.

55. Can you prepare legal documents?

No.

56. Can you explain what I'm signing?

No. Questions about the contents or legal effect of a document should be directed to the attorney or agency that prepared it.

Payment

57. What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, Zelle, Venmo, and Paypal.  Unable to process credit cards at this time.

58. When is payment due?

Payment is typically due at the time services are rendered unless other arrangements have been made.

Miscellaneous

59. Are you bonded and insured?

Yes. 415 Notary is commissioned, bonded, and carries $100,000 in Errors & Omissions Insurance.

60. Why choose 415 Notary?

With more than 5 years of experience, thousands of successful signings, and a background in title and escrow, 415 Notary is committed to providing professional, prompt, and precise mobile notary and loan signing services throughout Marin and Sonoma Counties.