Q. What is a Notary Public?

A. A Notary is a person of proven integrity appointed by the state to serve the public as an impartial witness. A notary is considered a public official and must follow specific rules and regulations set up by the state.

Q. What is a Certified Signing Agent?

A. A Loan Signing Agent (Notary Signing Agent or Loan Signing Agent) is a commissioned Notary Public who specializes in the obtaining and notarization of the signatures of the party(ies) involved on documents for the purpose of closing a real estate loan transaction.

Q. Why do I need a Notary?

A. The notary office has been in existence since the days of the Roman Empire and are needed to certify the identity of document signers, administer oaths and affirmations and act as impartial witnesses.


Q. What form of ID do I need?

A. Each signer must present at least one of the forms of ID listed below. The ID must be current or, if expired, have been issued within the last 5 years; contain the signer's photograph, personal description, and signature; and bear a serial or other identifying number.

• Driver's License or nondriver's ID card issued by a U.S. state.
• U.S. passport
• US Military Identification Card that contarin all required
   elements stated above, (The Common Access Card CAC
   is not acceptable).
• Driver's license issued in Mexico or Canada.
• Foreign passport stamped by the U.S. Citzenship and
   Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Inmate ID Issued by the California Dept. of Corrections.

Common Types of Notarizations:

• Acknowledgment - Positive identification of signer by notary
• Jurat - Notary compels signer to tell the truth
• Oaths/Affirmations - Administered to signer by notary