​As we near the summer season, travel plans often come to mind for many individuals. With summer vacations on the horizon, it's important to note that children frequently travel either domestically or internationally without their parents. However, given the unfortunate increase in human trafficking cases, numerous countries now mandate a signed Parental Consent form for minors traveling solo or accompanied by guardians other than their parents, such as grandparents, relatives, or friends.

If you find yourself in need of assistance in obtaining a notarized Parental Travel Consent form for your minor child, I am here to guide you through the process. Please call or text me at 657-203-3071!

As a Notary Public, we follow guidance set forth by the California Secretary of State. The California Secretary of State has a list of approved training vendors. The National Notary Association is one of the approved training vendors. According to them, below is a list of acceptable forms of identification:

• State-issued driver's license
• State-issued identification card
• U.S. passport issued by the U.S. Department of State
• U.S. military ID
• State, county and local government IDs
• Permanent resident card, or "green card," issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services*
• Foreign passport*
• Driver's license officially issued in Mexico or Canada*
• Digital driver's license*
• ID deemed acceptable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security*
• Inmate ID issued by the State Department of Corrections or Federal Bureau of Prisons, if the inmate is in state or federal custody*
• Inmate ID issued by a county sheriff, if the inmate is in the custody of the county sheriff*

I just had to turn down a request for a notarization for someone who advised me that their driver license had expired, BUT they had the temporary paper license. An expired driver license is an invalid form of identification. An invalid form of identification paired with a temporary paper license does not equal a valid form of ID.

Additionally, there are senior citizens who no longer drive but a valid form of identification is needed for things like notarizations, purchasing alcohol or traveling. Yes, I did say to purchase alcohol. More and more businesses require ID for people to purchase alcohol regardless of how old they look. It is a really good idea to get a California State ID or ensure you have an unexpired passport if you no longer drive.
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Please keep your driver license, state ID or passport up-to-date. If you are looking to get documents notarized and don't have valid ID, I can do it if you provide two credible witnesses. These are people who know you and are willing to take an oath to swear or affirm that they know you.

My Mobile Notary business is being featured in our local HB Coastal Living magazine. It is a pleasure to work with the Best Version Media team.
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​So, Notary training may need to be updated to state that signers not only have to be aware and alert but they actually have to be alive! The games people play!

In California, it is illegal for Notaries who are not attorneys to help other persons prepare documents, especially important documents like yours that have legal ramifications. Additionally, a Notary cannot explain words or phrases in the document or give you advice about how to proceed or how to fill out blank spaces in the document. The Notary is actually prohibited by state law from doing so. This is called the unauthorized practice of law.

A Notary is authorized to identify the document's signer, give you an oath (if required), make a journal entry of the notarization, and ascertain your willingness to sign and fill out a Notary certificate at the end of the document. Anthing more is taboo.
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If you need help filling out your document, call the office that gave you the document, or the office where you will file it.

Even though I'm a mobile notary who travels to her clients, I still have an office.

​I have spent the last week putting together my workspace. I destroyed the desk I originally ordered so I returned it and got something easier to assemble. I am waiting on one more file cabinet so I have a place to put my dual tray printer so I can print out loan docs. I went with a pink and white theme this time. The inspiration for that is my pencil cup. I totally changed out the desk and file cabinets that I had when I worked at my corporate job (last two pictures).
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