Understanding Notarized Documents in California: Types, Purposes & Witness Requirements
- X Mobile Notary
- May 5
- 2 min read
At X Mobile Notary, we specialize in ensuring your important documents are legally recognized and properly executed. But not all notarized documents are the same. Understanding the differences and knowing whether a witness is required can help streamline your signing process.
Common Types of Notarized Documents
1. Acknowledgments
Purpose: Confirms the signer’s identity and their willingness to sign.
Common Uses: Deeds, powers of attorney, real estate transfers.
Witness Required? Not in California. The notary verifies identity, not witnesses the act of signing.
2. Jurats
Purpose: Requires the signer to swear or affirm that the contents are true.
Common Uses: Affidavits, depositions.
Witness Required? No witness required, but the signer must sign in front of the notary.
3. Oaths & Affirmations
Purpose: A spoken promise of truthfulness, often in court-related documents.
Witness Required? No, just the notary is needed to administer the oath.
4. Copy Certifications by document custodian
Purpose: The notary verifies that a copy of a document is a true and accurate reproduction of the original.
Common Uses: Diplomas, driver’s licenses, passports (when allowed).
Witness Required? No.
5. Signature Witnessing (Rare in CA)
Purpose: Notary witnesses the act of signing (distinct from acknowledging it).
Note: California notaries are generally not authorized to witness signatures without using an acknowledgment or jurat.
When Are Witnesses Required in California?
While notarizations themselves typically do not require a witness, some documents may require additional witnesses based on their content:
Wills: Must be witnessed by two disinterested adults (not the notary).
Advance Healthcare Directives: Often require two witnesses or a notary.
Powers of Attorney: Notarization is required and may also require witnesses depending on the institution.
Trusts & Estate Plans: Usually just a notary is sufficient unless the attorney or legal document specifies otherwise.
Pro Tip from Brenda at X Mobile Notary:
“If your document requires witnesses and you cannot provide them, let us know in advance — in many cases, we can arrange witness services for an additional fee.”
Need a mobile notary who knows the rules and brings clarity to complex signings?Contact X Mobile Notary – we bring the stamp to your doorstep.
Brenda Johnson, Notary Public
(415)264-0941