Frequently Ask Questions

A valid, unexpired government‑issued ID such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or other acceptable identification. If you’re unsure, I can help you check before your appointment.

• Five-year rule: Current or issued within the last 5 years.

• Four elements: Must contain a photo, physical description, signature, and serial number.

Click here for a sample Identification.

• California DL/ID: State driver's license or DMV identity card.

• U.S. Passport: Passport book or passport card.

• Out-of-state DL: Driver's license from another U.S. state.

• Foreign Passport: Must be stamped by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

• Consular ID: Only if it contains the required physical description and elements.

• Military ID: Armed forces identification card.

Click here for a complete list of acceptable identification, please refer to the National Notary Association’s ID requirements. 

• For notary services, if you completely lack acceptable ID, California allows you to use Credible Witnesses. You must bring either one witness who knows both you and the notary, or two witnesses who know you and have valid IDs themselves.

A Credible Witness acts as a "human ID card" under California law. They vouch for a signer’s identity if the signer does not have a valid, unexpired photo ID.

To use this option, the witness must meet these strict rules:

• Two Witnesses Required: If the notary does not know the witnesses, two (2) people must be present to vouch for the signer.

• Must Have Valid ID: Each witness must present their own unexpired government-issued photo ID (like a CA Driver’s License or Passport) to the notary.

• Must Be Impartial: Witnesses cannot be named in the document and cannot benefit from the transaction in any way. Family members are legally permitted to serve as witnesses, but only if they have absolutely no financial or personal interest in the outcome.

• Must Take an Oath: They must swear under penalty of perjury that they personally know the signer and that the signer is who they say they are.

• Journal logging required: Both witnesses must sign the notary's sequential journal, and their full identification information must be legally recorded. 

It is easy to confuse these two terms because they both involve an extra person being present at the signing, but they serve completely different legal purposes:

• A Credible Witness verifies WHO the signer is. They are only used when the signer lacks a valid photo ID. They act as a "human ID card," presenting their own valid identification and swearing under oath that they personally know the signer.

• A Document Witness verifies WHAT happened. They are required by the document itself (such as a Will, Power of Attorney, or Deed of Trust) to watch the signer physically sign the paper. They do not need to provide their ID information or sign the notary's official journal; they simply print and sign their name directly on the document itself as a regular witness.

No. Paper printouts, renewal receipts, and interim licenses are not accepted without a valid physical card. 

No. Digital IDs in Apple/Google Wallets and photos of your ID are strictly prohibited. You must present the physical card. 

No. Student IDs lack necessary legal elements for notarization, and Social Security cards lack a photograph. 

Yes. We provide mobile services to homes, offices, businesses, senior living communities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and caregiver‑supported environments.

That’s completely okay. We work at a calm, comfortable pace and allow extra time for seniors or anyone who needs additional support.

Yes. Early‑morning, late‑evening, and same‑day urgent appointments are available. Additional fees may apply.

Identified serve Artesia, Cerritos, Lakewood, Norwalk, Bellflower, Hawaiian Gardens, Cypress, La Palma, Paramount, and nearby surrounding cities, and greater Long Beach area. 

We accept card, digital payments, checks and cash. You’ll receive a clear receipt for every service.

Most appointments take 10–20 minutes. More complex documents or senior‑care situations may take a little longer, and that’s perfectly fine.

You’re welcome to ask general questions. We can explain what notarization is and what to expect, but we cannot give legal advice. If you’re unsure, you may want to check with the document issuer or an attorney.

You can submit a request through the website or contact us directly. We personally confirm each appointment to ensure accuracy and safety.

A booking fee of $20 is required to secure your appointment and is applied toward your convenience fee— this helps confirm your time and prevent no‑shows while keeping scheduling fair for all clients.

Please provide cancellation notice at least 48 hours in advance. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice, or while travel is already in progress, are subject to applicable fees. 

• Standard Print Package: $16.99 + tax (includes 2 physical printed photos).

• Printed + Digital Bundle: $21.99 + tax (includes 2 physical prints plus a digital copy sent via email).

• Digital Only: $15.00 (digital copy sent via email; no physical prints included).

• Recommended: Solid colors and medium-to-dark tones (such as navy, black, forest green, or burgundy).

• Avoid White or Light Colors: Light tops blend directly into the white background and may cause the photo to be rejected by official agencies.

• Avoid Busy Patterns: Large or bright patterns distract from your face and may complicate facial recognition scanning.

Yes, jewelry is permitted, but simple choices are recommended to ensure your photo meets official compliance standards:

• Recommended: Minimal jewelry, such as small studs or simple earrings.

• Avoid: Large hoops, statement pieces, or highly reflective items that may catch the studio light or cause glare.

Yes, we take infant and toddler passport photos. To ensure a smooth session, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Appointment Required: All baby passport photo sessions must be scheduled in advance.

• Timing: Schedule the session right after a nap and feed the baby just before the shoot to ensure they are comfortable.

• Patience is Key: It may take multiple attempts to capture a fully compliant photo with open eyes and a neutral expression.

• Parental Assistance: Parents may assist with positioning the child but must remain completely out of the photo frame (including hands and arms).

No appointment is necessary! You can walk in anytime during our regular business hours, and our team will take and print your passport photos on the spot. The entire process typically takes less than 10 minutes.

An Apostille is an official state certificate attached to a document to verify a public official's signature so it can be legally recognized in another country.

Specifically, this certificate confirms three things:

• Signature Authenticity: It verifies that the signing public official's signature is genuine.

• Official Capacity: It confirms the specific role or title of the official who executed the document.

• Seal or Stamp Verification: When applicable, it validates the official seal or stamp on the document, such as a notary public seal.

Please note: An Apostille strictly verifies the authenticity of the signature and seal; it does not validate or approve the actual text or contents written inside the document.

An Apostille is exclusively used for countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. If your destination country is not a member, your documents will require a different, multi-step process known as "chain authentication" or embassy legalization. 

No. As a California-based service, we can only process documents issued within the State of California (such as California birth certificates or documents notarized by a California Notary Public). Documents from other states must be processed by the Secretary of State in the state where they originated. 

We routinely handle a wide variety of public and corporate documents, including:

• Vital Records: Birth, marriage, and death certificates (must be certified county clerk or state-issued copies).

• Academic Records: Diplomas, transcripts, and school verifications (must be properly notarized first).

• Legal & Corporate Papers: Power of Attorney, business bylaws, agreements, and court judgments.

• Background Checks: Notarized local police clearances or state background checks.

No. The California Secretary of State will only issue an Apostille on original certified copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates issued by the County Clerk/Recorder or the State Department of Public Health. Photocopies or notarized copies of vital records are not accepted. 

An Apostille authenticates the signature of the official who signed the document. For private documents (like a Power of Attorney or a contract), a Notary Public must first notarize your signature. The State then issues the Apostille to authenticate that notary's active commission. 

No, the Apostille itself is attached to your original English paperwork. However, the destination country overseas will often require a certified translation of your documents to accept them. To provide you with a seamless, one-stop experience, we partner with trusted, certified professional translation agencies to handle this step for you. Our coordinated translation services start at $40 & up.