Can I legally notarize this document in California?

[paradox5000]

My client needs to prove that he is applying for work to avoid being deported, and was told that this letter needs to be certified. I understand I am not a Immigration Specialist but as a common certified California Notary, am I allowed to notarize this letter? Sorry if its a bit hard to read. Thanks for the help.

[AndyLJohnson]

As a general rule, the contents of the document do not matter. Every document must have words a signature and notarial wording. It looks like it may be missing notarial wording. The constituent can choose either a jurat or acknowledgment and you can attach or stamp the wording of his choosing.

[jmalone]

First, I would never put someone's document with their name on a public Notary board. Everything us Notaries do is confidential.

Second, we can only certify a Power of Attorney or line items in our journals.

Andy is correct, we are not concerned about the contents of the document, since we notarize signature's. Anyone can write whatever they want and have their signature notarized, as long as they have the proper I.D. and they choose the type of notarization they want. You cannot choose for them.

[mharmon]

Everything us Notaries do is confidential.

Well, technically... it's not. Our journals are a matter of public record. Access is limited, of course, but there is provision within the law wherein me must provide to any member of the public a copy of a journal entry if they provide the right information. Also, when dealing with publicly recorded documents, our names and seals are there... so again, hardly confidential. But yes... we shouldn't go publishing or disclosing things that we're not required to do by law.

Back to the original post... you notarize SIGNATURES, not documents. The signature can be on just about anything, including a handwritten letter.

It doesn't matter what the content of the document is. It can be in another language... we can notarize a signature on it.

As for the Immigration Specialist thing... that only applies to people who are completing certain immigration paperwork for clients. This is just a letter. You're not completing anything.

[LindaH/FL]

Document has been deleted.

[paradox5000]

My apologies for posting the image of the document, I should have blurred out their personal information.

I have another question however. Because the person who wrote the document signed it, I must meet with the person who wrote and signed the document then get their forms of I.D and fingerprint. Must I also get the signature, I.D, fingerprint of the person the letter is pertaining too?

Such as "Joe Smoe has applied to work for me. - Jim Slim"

So do I have to get Joe Smoe's and Jim Slim's signatures, fingerprints, and I.D's?

[LindaH/FL]

My apologies for posting the image of the document, I should have blurred out their personal information.

I have another question however. Because the person who wrote the document signed it, I must meet with the person who wrote and signed the document then get their forms of I.D and fingerprint. Must I also get the signature, I.D, fingerprint of the person the letter is pertaining too?

Such as "Joe Smoe has applied to work for me. - Jim Slim"

So do I have to get Joe Smoe's and Jim Slim's signatures, fingerprints, and I.D's?

Paradox, one thing you do need to note - you are not required to get a thumbprint on ALL entries in your journal..Page 9 of your handbook specifically states:

"If the document to be notarized is a deed, quitclaim deed, or deed of trust affecting real property or a power of attorney document, the notary public shall require the party signing the document to place his or her right thumbprint in the journal."

http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/f ... k-2012.pdf

Many CA notaries (and others in other states) do require thumbprints for all notarizations - iMO that's placing requirements on your notarizations that your state does not require. Is it good security? Of course it is. But your state does not require it in all transactions.

Now, as to the second signer - is there a place for that second person to sign? Is it required that they sign and their signature be notarized? That's up to the document preparer - and not something you can advise them on.

Good Luck.

[jmalone]

Of course, you are correct Marian. I try to be very careful with a signer's personal information. I would not post the document on a public board. I like to treat others information, the way I would like mine treated. I do cover all other entries in my journal also, before I go on to the next person. I try to be as cautious as possible with people's private, confidential information.

After a loan signing in someone's home, I wouldn't answer a neighbors question as to why I was there. The point I was trying to make is, try to protect other people's information as much as possible.