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Online notarization in California: Get your document notarized today

Remote online notary in California

California allows Remote Online Notarization by enacting SB 696 into law.

If you live in California and need to have documents notarized for your business, you may be looking for the easiest and most cost-effective solution you can find.

Remote Online Notarization (RON) has made it easier than ever to notarize documents at your convenience when compared to traditional notarization services.

Online notarization for businesses in California

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This guide breaks down everything you need to know about notarization in California and how to start notarizing your documents online right away using PandaDoc Notary. 

Remote Online Notarization (RON) is legally permitted in California at this time. California also recognizes online notarizations legally performed by notaries from other states.

The California state legislature legalized RON thanks to SB 696.

How to get your documents notarized online in California?

To receive notarization in California, you will have to follow a series of steps and requirements to ensure the notarization is valid. If you are a notary public, you should contact your county recorder to confirm that you meet all of their notarization requirements. 

Using an online notary is quicker and cheaper than traditional notary services in California. California notarizations can be carried out online by a commissioned notary public.

No need to schedule a time and place to meet with your notary in person, like before with a traditional notary public, such as walk-in and remote notaries.

Since some businesses and professions offer notarization services as an extension of their natural duties, you can also locate and appear before a notary as long as the establishment has someone on hand who can perform the notarization. However, this is probably a more costly alternative.

These businesses include:

  1. Banks
  2. Law firms
  3. Real estate firms or offices
  4. Tax prep consultants
  5. Photocopy stores
  6. Shipping stores
  7. Loan & processing offices
  8. AAA Auto Insurance

How does PandaDoc Notary work?

When you require notarization, being able to access online notarization services makes it as easy as possible to capture your signatures without the hassle and fees associated with traditional notarization services.

With the ease, security, and flexibility that online notarization offers over walk-in and mobile notary services, RON is the clear choice when you need to notarize and store your important documents. 

PandaDoc Notary provides a secure and user-friendly Remote Online Notarization platform that helps singers and notaries in California create, edit, eSign, and notarize documents at their convenience whenever they need access.

The all-in-one platform makes it easier than ever to sign and notarize documents without the extra leg work that inherently comes with traditional notarization options.

FAQ’s

What are the California notarization requirements?

In California, notarization law requires that all document signers must appear online or in person before an actively commissioned notary public to notarize a document. The signers will be required to provide valid proof of identity and pay the required notarization fee.

The notary is required to record the notarial transaction in their journal and apply their own signature and seal which certifies the signatures and renders the document legally enforceable.

What are the California notary laws?

California notary law states that all document notarizations must be carried out online or in person before a commissioned notary public. Remote Online Notarization (RON) is permitted to be performed within the state of California.

Every state has its own specific laws regarding notarization requirements, and, if you are a notary, you should always be sure to double-check yours before notarization to ensure you are compliant.

If I notarize a document in California, will it be recognized by other states?

Yes, other states will recognize notarial acts performed in California. While the specifics may vary depending on the other state’s requirements, precedents have established that notarial acts that comply with the applicable California RON law can be recognized as valid across state lines.

Do I have to be in California to use PandaDoc Notary services?

You don’t have to be in California to use PandaDoc Notary services; you can conveniently and readily access all of its features and capabilities from wherever you are. Using your computer, mobile device, or tablet and PandaDoc Notary’s online notarization technology, you can now effortlessly notarize contracts and other business-related documents in all categories and business segments.

What types of notarizations are permitted online in California?

California allows public notaries to perform several notarial acts online, including but not limited to:

  • Taking acknowledgments
  • Administering affirmations and oaths
  • Taking depositions and affidavits

How to notarize a document in California?

To notarize a document in California, the signers must appear online or in person before a state-commissioned notary to complete the signature. The document to be notarized will need to have been completed and reviewed for any errors or changes before the notarization session begins.

The signers will need to pay the required notarization fee. Both signers must also present a valid form of identification to the notary to confirm their identities. These forms of ID can include:

  1. Driver’s license
  2. Passport
  3. Military ID card
  4. Government-issued ID card
  5. Permanent resident card

At this point, all signing parties will review the document and apply their signatures to the document. The signer signature attests that the signer understands the document and that they willingly signed the document of their own accord.

Once the document has been signed by all signing parties, the notary will apply their own signature and seal and record the transaction in their notarial journal. With PandaDoc Notary, this recording process is automated. Once this seal is applied, the document immediately becomes legally binding and has been officially notarized.

Disclaimer

The contents of this website are intended to convey general information only and not to provide legal advice or opinions. The information presented on this website may not reflect the most current legal developments. No action should be taken in reliance on the information contained on this website, and we disclaim all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this site to the fullest extent permitted by law. An attorney should be contacted for advice on specific legal issues and jurisdictions.