What is the Most Common Mistake Made by a Notary?
- Yuriko Jacobs
- Aug 14
- 2 min read
If you've ever wondered what one of the most common mistakes in the notary world it is forgetting to properly identify the signer.
Why ID Matters More Than Anything
In California (and most states), you're not just watching someone sign a document. You're acting as a fraud deterrent, which means confirming someone is who they say they are is the core part of the job.
Skip that step, or do it incorrectly, and:
The notarization is invalid.
You could face fines, complaints, or even lose your commission.
Worst-case scenario? You get dragged into someone else's legal drama.
Other Common Notary Mistakes (Runner-ups)
Forgetting to Complete the Notarial Certificate - Leaving off the date, venue, or your signature/seal is like baking a cake and forgetting to turn on the oven. It looks official, but it won't hold up.
Using the Wrong Notarial Wording - California's picky. If the certificate wording isn't compliant, it won't fly. This is where loose-leaf certificates come into play. Especially for out-of-state documents that need notarization in California. Most of the time, they do not have the correct verbiage to be compliant in California.
Not Keeping a Proper Journal - In California, your journal is required. Every notarization, every time. And you can have only one active journal at a time. So, having an electronic journal and a paper one will not work.
Not Watching the Signer Sign - This is especially true for jurats, where you watch the signer sign the document and swear an oath that the contents are true.
Offering Unauthorized Legal Advice - We're not lawyers (at least many of us are not) and we shouldn't pretend to be. If someone asks what type of notarization they need, the correct response is: "I'm not allowed to tell you that. You'll need to ask the document issuer or an attorney." (You can also explain which each notarization entails, and they can choose that way.)
Pro Tip: Slow Down and Double-Check
Most mistakes happen when notaries feel rushed, distracted, or overly confident. Take a breath. Review your steps. Double-check the ID. That extra 30 seconds might save you hours of stress later.
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