Finding a Mobile Notary Public | What to Bring Checklist

Looking for a notary in Oakland? Save time and avoid a second trip. Here is exactly what to bring when your mobile notary arrives.

1. Valid Photo ID - The #1 Reason Notarizations Fail

California law is strict. Your ID must be:

• Current or issued within the last 5 years

• Has a photo, physical description, signature, and serial number

  
  

Accepted IDs in California:

• California Driver's License / ID Card

• US Passport or Passport Card

• Other State Driver's License / ID

• Foreign Passport with US Visa

• Military ID, Inmate ID, etc.

Not Accepted: Expired ID, credit cards, Social Security cards, and birth certificates.

2. Unsigned Documents—DO NOT SIGN YET

The notary must watch you sign. If you signed already, we cannot notarize it. Bring the document unsigned.

3. Complete Documents—Fill in Blanks Before

Fill in all blanks EXCEPT signatures. The notary cannot help you complete the document or give legal advice.

4. Witnesses, If Required

Some documents, like Power of Attorney, Wills, or Quitclaim Deeds may need 1-2 witnesses. Ask the agency requesting the doc. If you need witnesses, tell us when you book so we can bring them, or you can provide your own (witnesses must have valid ID too and cannot be named in the document).

Special Cases:

• Two Signers? Both must be present with ID.

• Trust / Estate Docs? Bring full packet; don't separate pages.

• Loan Signing? Bring 2 forms of ID and Loan Instructions.