Posted by LKT/CA on 12/5/07 7:34pm
Msg #224537

?'s on Notary Work at Lock Up Facilities

The facility is within my driving range. In addition to the notarizations, what fees do you all charge and how did you reach that figure?

Entering the jail, being frisked, etc., is that a tedious process? Is it a real hassle? Please enlighten me.

Are county jails less tedious to endure than prisons or are they the same?

What do you advise that I take with me and leave in the car?

I appreciate your insight, thank you.

Reply by AJ_in_CA on 12/5/07 7:59pm
Msg #224541

I went to a county jail about a month ago...really there was no hassle. No frisks or anything of that measure. They did request my ID (CA DL) but that was it.

I was advised ahead of time what the visiting hour was and therefore, didn't have to wait long (less than 10 min) to see the inmate.

They called out the name of the inmate you were there to visit and the locked door to the visiting area was automatically unlocked.

In order for the inmate to sign my journal i had to pass it through a slot for someone (i don't know the official title of the jail worker) to give to the innmate to sign.

I just charged my normal "mobile fee" and the ca $10 for the notarization....the process took less than 10 min.

Reply by CTS10866 on 12/5/07 8:00pm
Msg #224542

Most facilities have a prohibited items list. Check with them ahead of time. For example, on Riker's Island (in NYC) cigarettes/matches are contraband and cell phones have to be secured with all other personal effects in the visitor's locker area adjacent to the security check points at the entrance of each facility. There's usually a sign-in process where visitors must produce a picture identification to swop with an institutional visitor's pass, then clear a magnometer and package search, get a security "handstamp" of invisible ink that glows under an ultraviolent lamp (to help ensure the person who went in is the same person leaving in case you accidently drop your ID or an inmate steals it). Ten to twenty minutes is usually average if there are other people to be processed. Two to six minutes if it is just you not waiting in line (and not requiring a facility escort officer from point A to B). Over an hour if an escort officer is unavailable or the inmate is slow to responding to the housing area summons to report to your assigned area (e.g. not wanting to get out of bed, leave the gym, social services, or law library just yet). Make sure you discover when lock-in occurs or you may be stuck there for change of tour (or the mandatory institutional feedings of the residents). It all depends upon each individual facility in the end. You should check their website (if there is one) or call the general office ahead of time to determine the best window of opportunity to report for notary duty and request they fax a schedule if one is available. Make sure you also ask if you can drive up to the facility or if there is a route bus you must board from a central intake or drop off area. Good luck to you with this. Jail is always time consuming and never fun to visit.

Reply by christiSocal on 12/5/07 8:21pm
Msg #224545

Take a copy of your commission with you, you don't always need it, but sometimes they ask.
It can take just a few minutes, however it can take quite awhile at times, so be prepared.

Reply by Debbietax_CA on 12/5/07 11:24pm
Msg #224572

I have done several of these. The County jails here require that you bring the original Notary Certificate so they can copy it. They will not accept a photocopy. They want this every time. Also, at least in this facility, they do not issue inmate ID cards that are to be used for ID, they only issue wristbands that do not have all the required info for identification (double checked with the SOS, and they said I definitely could not use that). That means that at least at the Ventura County facilities, whoever is trying to arrange the notarization will also need to bring acceptable ID for the inmate, and they often do not have anything, because the driver's license is not available. If they can get past that problem, the job usually doesn't take too long, and they have never been very restrictive on what is brought inside, but I have always taken in only the minimum of what I would need, no extra pens or cell phone, etc. I charge a reasonable mobile fee, and the $10 for the notarization. I do let the person making the arrangements know in advance that if they are not prepared and I get held there for too long, I might also have to charge an hourly waiting fee, but I have never had to follow through on this.

Reply by kate_nortca on 12/6/07 6:13pm
Msg #224764

Some really great advice above. In our local jail where I have done quite a few notarizations my two main problems have been addressed above. Namely of the inmate and person helping the inmate assuming that the jail having booked the person would prove they were who they said they were. Really establish proper ID must be available when you arrive. To us this is obvious but to people in this situation you might be surprised what they don't think of.

The other issue being that often forms are not filled out (if it is not loan docs) and it turns out they have been waiting for me to fill it out for them. Or tell them how to do it. So make sure you are perfectly clear with the person making arrangements that this is not your job. I also require cash payments only when doing business at the jail. But that's just me.

Have not been frisked yet nor do they allow you past the first locked door. Documents are passed through the slot as described above. Hope this helps.

Kate