Frequently Asked Questions

A current government-issued photo ID issued within the last five years. Acceptable forms include: California driver's license or DMV-issued ID, U.S. passport or passport card, foreign passport, U.S. military ID, valid consular identification document, tribal identification card from a federally recognized government, or any other ID satisfying California Civil Code § 1185. Temporary licenses and temporary IDs are not acceptable under any circumstances.

That's determined by your document's issuing authority, preparer, or attorney — not the Notary. The Notary does not advise on or select the appropriate notarial act. Check with whoever provided your document or consult a licensed California attorney if you're unsure.

Common documents include powers of attorney, deeds and property transfers, affidavits, loan and mortgage documents, advance healthcare directives, vehicle title transfers, school and travel consent forms, and vital record applications. This isn't a complete list — if you're unsure whether your document needs notarization, check with its issuing authority.

No. Notarization verifies the identity of the signer and, depending on the notarial act, that they signed voluntarily or swore to the truthfulness of the document's contents. It does not review, validate, or guarantee the legal effect of the document itself. For questions about whether a document accomplishes what you intend, consult a licensed California attorney.

California notaries do not need to understand the language of the document itself, but the signer must be able to communicate directly with the Notary — in person, without an interpreter — to confirm identity and, where required, understanding of the notarial act being performed. If you're not comfortable communicating in English, please let us know in advance so we can discuss whether the appointment can proceed.

Yes. When one parent can't appear in person for a minor's U.S. passport application, the absent parent's notarized consent on Form DS-3053 is required. Leave the signature blank until you're with the notary — the consent expires 90 days after notarization. Download Form DS-3053, or see our Resources page for more.

No — all documents must be complete and ready to sign before the appointment. The Notary cannot notarize incomplete documents. Please review your paperwork in advance and contact your document issuer with any questions.

No. Remote Online Notarization (RON) is not currently available in California — no California-commissioned notary is authorized to perform RON. All notarizations are performed in person.

Visit our How to Book page to schedule your appointment online. Select the appointment type that fits your needs and pick a date and time that works for you.

Appointments are available Monday through Friday after 6:00 PM, and Saturdays and Sundays starting at 9:00 AM. Late-night appointments (until 12:00 AM) are available any day. Weekday daytime appointments (before 6 PM) are generally not available.

Cancellations with at least 24 hours' notice are free. Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice are subject to a $35.00 cancellation fee. No-shows are charged a $35.00 no-show fee.

The Notary will attempt to contact you by phone and text at the 10-minute and 15-minute marks past the scheduled time. If the appointment still cannot begin after a brief grace period, it will be treated as a no-show and a $35.00 no-show fee applies.

All notarial acts are a flat $15.00 per act — the California maximum per Government Code § 8211. Travel fees are based on distance from Fremont: $50.00 up to 15 miles, $65.00 for 15–25 miles, and $65.00 plus mileage at the IRS standard rate beyond 25 miles. Urgent or emergency appointments (less than 2 hours' notice) are a flat $100.00 travel fee instead. See the full fee schedule on our Services & Fees page.

Cash, Venmo, Zelle, Apple Cash, PayPal, or Debit/Credit card (subject to an additional $1.50 fee). Payment is due in full at the time of service. A $35.00 fee applies to any failed or reversed digital payments.

No — there are no time-of-day fees. The travel fee is the same whether your appointment is on a weekday evening, a weekend, or a holiday. The only exception is urgent/emergency appointments (less than 2 hours' notice), which are a flat $100.00 travel fee instead of the standard distance-based rate.

Parking, toll, or access fees of $10.00 or less are included in the travel fee at no extra charge. Any fees anticipated to exceed $10.00 will be discussed and approved with the Client before being incurred. If the Client declines, the Notary may cancel the appointment, and the travel fee still applies.

Yes. Kevin Feliciano is a commissioned California Notary Public, Commission No. 2555580, registered in Alameda County. Commission expires May 18, 2030. Kevin has passed a background check and is bonded with a $15,000 California notary surety bond, plus carries a $100,000 Errors & Omissions insurance policy for added client protection.

No. The Notary's role is ministerial in nature. The Notary does not provide legal advice, review documents for legal sufficiency, or verify the accuracy of document content. Please consult a licensed California attorney for legal questions.

Yes. The Notary reserves the right to refuse service if a signer lacks valid ID, appears to be under duress or lacks capacity, or if the transaction appears fraudulent or unlawful. In such cases, the applicable travel fee remains due.

Yes. California law requires the Notary to maintain an official notarial journal. The journal is the exclusive property of the Notary and is confidential. Clients may request a copy of a journal entry for a specific transaction; however, information pertaining to other parties may be redacted as required by law.

Yes. Same-day and emergency appointments are available with as little as 2 hours' notice, subject to availability, for a flat $100.00 travel fee (in place of the standard distance-based travel fee). Book an emergency appointment directly, or use the Fee Calculator to estimate your total cost first.