Posted by Erin Attardi on 7/11/06 6:20pm
Msg #132462

CA Notaries can notarize anywhere in CA, right??

I received my commission in Sacramento County, and while visiting my in-laws in Southern California (Orange County) today I notarized 6 affidavit documents for my father-in-law's company. When he delivered the notarized docs to the president of the company and attempted to get a company check cut to me, the president supposedly called an attorney who advised them that I had to be a notary in Orange County and to get the docs re-notarized by another local notary. The company refused to pay me for my services ($60)...I did not make too big of a stink because it is my father-in-law's company, but I thought I could notarize docs anywhere in California? Has something changed recently?

Reply by ananotary on 7/11/06 6:27pm
Msg #132466

You are correct, the attorney that advised was an idiot. n/m

Reply by Blueink_CA on 7/11/06 6:27pm
Msg #132467

Nothing has changed. You are correct. Refer the attorney to check out Govt Code 8200.

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 7/11/06 6:31pm
Msg #132468

A Notary Public in CA is able to notarize in any county within CA.

However, there can be exceptions and those exceptions should be known in advance. Perhaps this was one of those times.

The only "exception" I've come across is with adoption papers that must be notarized by a notary who filed their bond and took their oath in the same county as the signing is taking place. The notary's statement and signature must then be authenticated by the county clerk's office where the notary is on file.

Perhaps some other notary publics out there can cite other exceptions.

Reply by Erin Attardi on 7/11/06 6:36pm
Msg #132470

In this instance I was asked to notarize six separate "Affidavit of Custodian of Business Records."

Reply by BetsyMI on 7/11/06 6:40pm
Msg #132471

I also had a situation like this here in Michigan where an attorney said he had to have a notary in Oakland County, whereas he is in Wayne County. I am in Oakland County and gladly took the business but I know of no requirement saying that the notary has to be commissioned in the same county where the person being notarized resides. Where are these attorney's getting this idea?

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 7/11/06 6:44pm
Msg #132473

You are not the one to question the documents to be signed as you are verifiying the identity and signature of the signer(s). If the Pres was told by their Atty to use an OC Notary, then so be it for the Pres to follow instructions. IMO the Pres ought to have been told that by his Atty prior to getting the papaers notarized.

Reply by CaliNotary on 7/11/06 9:58pm
Msg #132544

But that doesn't mean they're off the hook for paying the notary for their services.

Reply by Joe Ewing on 7/11/06 7:37pm
Msg #132488

You can Notarize any document anywhere in the state. I am guessing the attorney has his own agenda and as you know, they make the rules. Wanting an OC Notary might even be part of the attorney's legal strategy. But you should get paid for your service even if it was not accepted. Did the attorney know you were an in-law?

Erin I do process serving and I see these documents attached to a subpoena for business or medical records. In most cases I serve the Subpoena and later Notarize the Affidavits.

Reply by Becca_FL on 7/11/06 9:10pm
Msg #132524

Did you complete the venue correctly? n/m

Reply by Becca_FL on 7/11/06 9:18pm
Msg #132526

Opps, I had more

Did you put in "Orange" as the venue or "Sacramento?" Just wondering if this might make the guy call a lawyer. If you completed the notariztion properly, you desrve to get paid. The lawyer is a putz and I'd bill the Co. for the service provided. Send an invoice with a copy of the statute.

Reply by Erin Attardi on 7/11/06 11:55pm
Msg #132593

Re: Opps, I had more

I did state Orange as the venue...however my invoices have my address on them, which is a Sacramento address. I was actually pretty peeved when the president decided not to pay me considering I had already rendered my services, but again this was my father-in-law's company, and the last thing I want to do with my in-laws would be to create any waves :-) Any other company though and I definitely would still send an invoice with a copy of the statute.

Thanks to all who responded to my message.