Frequently asked questions

A notary public who travels to you rather than working from a fixed office. The notarial act is identical to one performed in a bank or shipping store – the difference is that you do not have to go anywhere, and we are available at hours when those places are closed.

We much prefer one, so we can be sure a notary is free and that we arrive with everything the job needs. We do take same-day and emergency requests constantly, so call or text (858) 888-8060 and we will tell you honestly what we can do.

Within a couple of hours for most of the county if you call early enough. We ask for 24 hours' notice where possible, but same-day, last-minute and overnight requests are a normal part of what we do.

Yes, Saturdays and Sundays and most public holidays. The exception is apostilles: the Secretary of State's office is closed at weekends, so an apostille cannot actually be processed until a business day no matter who you hire.

All of San Diego County, from Oceanside and Fallbrook in the north to San Ysidro at the border, and east to El Cajon, Santee and Lakeside. We also take jobs in southern Orange County – ask when you call. See all service areas.

No. We are a mobile-only service and do not operate a walk-in location. Any address shown in a directory listing is for correspondence only.

Current, government-issued photo ID: a California driver's licence or state ID, a US or foreign passport, a military ID, a permanent resident card, or an out-of-state driver's licence. It must be unexpired – or in certain cases issued within the past five years – and the name on it must be at least as complete as the name being signed. Where a signer has no ID, California allows two credible identifying witnesses. More in our guide to acceptable ID.

Because California law requires personal appearance before the notary. The core purpose of notarization is deterring fraud – confirming that the person signing is who they claim to be and is signing willingly. That cannot be done by phone, by email or through a relative.

Generally no. A jurat requires you to sign in front of the notary. An acknowledgement allows a pre-existing signature, but if you are not certain which one your document needs, leave it blank and we will handle it on arrival.

No, and no notary in California may. We are not attorneys, and choosing documents or explaining their effect is the practice of law. We can explain what notarization itself does, and what the different notarial certificates mean. For anything else, speak to an attorney or to whoever issued the document.

We can notarize the signature on a document written in another language, provided the notarial certificate itself is in English and we can communicate directly with the signer about the act. We cannot certify what the document says. If you need the contents translated, see certified translation.

Sometimes, if arranged at booking, and a small fee may apply. The notary cannot witness a signature they are also notarizing. Where a document needs witnesses, it is usually easier to bring two adults who are not named in the document.

A notary public who specialises in loan closing packages. Lenders, title companies and escrow services use signing agents to get the package presented, signed, notarized and returned correctly and on time. See loan signing.

$95 for a mobile notary visit including travel and up to three signatures, $195 for the first apostille document, $250 for a complete loan signing package. The full price list sets out the extras, and we quote everything before booking.

Let us know at least four hours before the appointment by phone or email, except for same-day bookings. Signings in remote areas or exceptional circumstances – rush jobs, long waits, extreme weather, long distances – may carry an agreed additional fee, always discussed with you beforehand.

We take applications from notaries with at least five years' experience and a commission in good standing. Send a resume to contact@blacksealmobilenotary.com.