As of January 2017, California Notaries may now accept ID cards issued by foreign consulates as proof of a signer’s identity — but there are some restrictions. In order to be accepted, the consular ID must be current or issued in the past five years; have a serial or identification number; and contain the signature, photograph and description of the bearer. It’s important to note that the “matricula consular” IDs issued by Mexican consulates do not meet these requirements and cannot be accepted as satisfactory evidence of a signer’s identity in California.
Thursday Trivia – Don’t Have a Cow!
In 2014 AB924 went into effect which authorizes the Secretary of State to deny, suspend or revoke the commission of a Notary for grand theft of the carcass of cattle or other animals as provided in Penal Code Section 487a(a).
Did you Know?
In 1492, Notaries Sailed the Ocean Blue. Notaries accompanied Columbus on all his voyages just as they accompanied nearly all early Spanish explorers. The reason: King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella wanted to ensure that all discovered treasures were accounted for. On October 12, 1492, when Columbus first beheld the New World, a Notary named Rodrigo de Escobedo was on hand to document the landing on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas.
Verification for I9 for Employment
It has become standard practice in the last few years for Employers (especially those out of state or country) to request a Notary to verification identification for I9 forms. Most likely because the notary is aware of what correct identification documents look like as they utilize them in their day to day notary work.
However this is not something that is allowed in the State of California, unless, the notary is also an Immigration Consultant.
As we’ve had a couple of requests again lately to verify I9 documents we’re publishing the following from the California Secretary of State Notary Newsletter January 2017.
A notary public may notarize the signature on a document affecting the immigration or citizenship status of any person; however, under current law,a notary public who is not also an immigration consultant cannot do the verification tasks in
connection with completing immigration forms because this activity is prohibited by the broad language of California Government Code section 8223.
Only an attorney, a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice, or a person who is registered by the California Secretary of State and bonded as an immigration consultant under the California Business and Professions Code section 22441 may assist a client in completing immigration forms. Additional information concerning immigration consultants, including the offering of non-legal assistance or advice on immigration matters, the qualifications to act as an immigration consultant and the requirements of an immigration
consultant can be found in California Business and Professions Code section 22440 et seq.
The I-9 Federal Employment Verification Form is an immigration document in that it covers both citizensand noncitizens and also requires the employer or employer’s authorized representative to record and verify data. The duties of an immigration consultant
cover these tasks too. Even if a notary public is functioning in a non-notarial capacity and does not use the phrase “notary public,” a notary public who is not also an immigration consultant is prohibited from completing the I-9 Federal Employment Verification Form.
New Year, new website
It was badly time for a new website, so we’ve made the leap. Our notary business now has it’s very own website. All of our services and fees are linked within the site, as well as you can now book your appointments online.
Acceptable forms of Identification for Notarizations
Effective January 1, 2017, Assembly Bill 2566, in conjunction with Senate Bill 997 amends Civil Code Section 1185, making the following changes:
- Foreign passports are no longer required to have a current visa stamp from USCIS or DHS.
- A valid consular identification card issued by a consulate from the applicant’s country of citizenship now acceptable.
- An ID card issued by a federally recognized tribal government is now acceptable.
Notary Fee Increase Effective January 1, 2017
With the passing of AB2217 and signed into law by Governor Brown and recorded with the Secretary of State on August 17, 2016, our fees for signatures will be increasing on January 1, 2017. The fee schedule will be as follows:
-For taking an acknowledgment or proof of a deed, or other instrument, to include the seal and the writing of the certificate, the sum of fifteen dollars ($15) for each signature taken.
-For administering an oath or affirmation to one person and executing the jurat, including the seal, the sum of fifteen dollars ($15).
-For certifying a copy of a power of attorney under Section 4307 of the Probate Code the sum of fifteen dollars ($15)
Our travel fees will remain unchanged at this time.