What Does a Notary Public Do in California?

Not all heroes wear capes... sometimes, we stamp stuff.

If you’ve ever squinted at a document and thought, “Wait… do I need a notary for this?” — you’re not alone. People hear the term "notary public" and picture some mysterious government official with a big, scary stamp and an even scarier poker face.

But here in California? It’s way more practical—and more important—than that.

What Is a Notary Public?

A notary public is a neutral third-party witness. Our job is to make sure you are who you say you are, that the document is legitimate, and that no one’s being pressured, tricked, or handed a pen while half-asleep and surrounded by suspicious relatives.

We’re not lawyers. We’re not judges. We are, however, a line of defense against fraud and a trusted part of serious life paperwork.

So What Do We Actually Do?

Here’s the plain-English rundown:

• We check the ID and confirm identity.

• We watch you sign the document—yes, that matters.

• We administer oaths or affirmations when you’re swearing something is true.

• We complete and sign a notarial certificate, which proves it was done properly.

• We log the notarization in our journal, which keeps track of every notarization we have done. (Tip: when we fill up one journal, we start a new one. We never have more than one active journal at a time.)

Common Documents We Notarize

• Power of Attorney

• Advance Health Care Directives

• Loan and real estate documents

• Custody and guardianship paperwork

• Permission forms for minors to travel

• Business and trust documents

• And the occasional handwritten "I owe you $500 and 20 tacos" note

What We Don’t Do

• Give legal advice. (Seriously. Not even a little.)

• Notarize blank documents

• Take sides in disputes

We’re professionals. We’re impartial. And we take it seriously—because California does, too.

Why It Matters

Notarized documents hold legal weight. That’s why California ensures we’re trained, tested, and held accountable. It’s not just about signing things—it’s about protecting people, property, and peace of mind.

So the next time someone says, “Notaries just stamp stuff,” you can say, “Actually, they help prevent fraud, uphold state law, and handle sensitive documents with care.”

Then smile politely. Maybe even adjust your metaphorical armor.

Final Thought

A notary public might not wear a cape, but we’re definitely part of the justice squad. If you’ve got documents that matter to you, and you want them handled right? And if you want a notary who shows up on time, takes their oath seriously, and might throw in a little charm with that seal? Call Paladin Notary LLC. That’s me.