In addition to the $10 per signature a mobile notary charges to notarize a document at a California jail, prison or detention center, mobile notaries also charge additional fees for traveling, waiting time, etc.  For example, at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic, California, they allow notaries in during the weekdays to notarize documents.  An attorney does not need to be present. 

If the inmate's original photo identification (such as a driver's license or passport) is available for the notary to examine, it can be done during a weekday for less because the notary can usually get in and out within an hour to an hour and a half.

Using a notary who has years of experience, has performed numerous jail notarizations, knows the best times to visit, and is familiar with notary laws, will save a lot of time, frustration and money in the long run.  It's better to get the job done right the first time rather than finding out later the document that was notarized is invalid and you have to pay another notary to go back and do it all over again.

I recently heard there is now a writing pen with a 2 GB camera or microphone built into it and it can record other voices in the room.  Apparently, it can be used to record memos at a meeting, etc.  This is the first I've heard of anything like this and I'm not exactly sure how it works.  Does anyone know about this new writing device? 

With all this new technology, it would be great if someone came up with a writing tool for people who are unable to speak.  I know of someone with a physical disability where they can hear but they can't speak.  I can only understand her through sign language.  She can write, but can't read.  It would be wonderful if there were a pen with some type of device built into it and as she was writing, it could speak for her. It would have to have the ability to understand what she was writing (or starting to write as with text messaging).  Does anyone know of such a device?

The IRS has recently changed the standard mileage rate write-off for miles driven from July 1 through December 31, 2008 Due to Gasoline price increases.

Assuring a signer whose signature is being acknowledged understands the document and is signing the document willingly is an essential function of a notary taking an acknowledgment.

 

It was recommended by the American Society of Notaries that notaries should perform a verbal ceremony for either an ACKNOWLEDGMENT or oath/affirmation (JURAT). "Acknowledged" means a notary heard the client reply "yes" or "I do" (or other similar words) to questions posed during the notarization. "Sworn to or affirmed" means the notary "performed a verbal ceremony for an oath or affirmation and heard the client reply in the affirmative as to the truthfulness of the document.

Even if your state hasn't implemented a law regarding the use of cell phones while driving, you'll be sure to get a laugh out of this one! Everyone should know about the new law in California by nowwhich became effective 7/1/08. There have certainly been enough blogs on the subject. This video is hilarious and I wanted to share it. Enjoy and please..... Drive safely!


Hands Free Safe Drivers - Watch more free videos

Since so many of us use these devices on a daily basis, I thought I'd pass this info along.  It's from a Wells Fargo Bank newsletter:

"Cell phones and smartphones are now being increasingly used to spread viruses and steal personal information.

One key sign you're opening yourself up to a virus is the receipt of a multimedia message (MMS) with a compelling header from a sender you don't recognize. Once you open the message, the sender can install malware on your phone that can freeze your screen, corrupt the information stored on your phone (e.g., "eat" your contact lists) and even send your personal information to other users and download premium services you never asked for, like dialers and tunes, from your service provider. The virus can also send a malicious MMS to all the contacts in your phone book and to any bluetooth or other wireless service-enabled mobile phone.

Bluetooth-enabled phones in particular can be attacked and hacked in several ways. "Bluejacking," for example, allows someone to send you a message up to 248 characters long without permission. "Bluesnarfing" exploits security holes in certain phone models to obtain personal information from your phone and "bluebugging" lets a scammer place and execute files on your phone.

If you want to stop these threats to your cell phone or smartphone, start by asking your provider what they're doing to keep your information and data-anything transmitted on their servers-safe. You can also take steps to protect yourself. Antivirus solutions are available for your cell phone or smartphone from a number of security experts."

 

Want to know how you can get a free headset for your cell phone?  With the new cell phone law in effect as of 7/1/08, you'll need one in California!  Check out http://www.freeheadset.org/home.php.  They have some decent headsets that you can buy for free (yes you heard that right!) and some good deals on more high-end versions.  A colleague of mine recently bought one for a total of $3.97 (shipping only).  Can't beat that!

  

 

 

Last week, Yahoo started offering free e-mail accounts under two new designations in an effort to attract Web surfers. You can now get new email addresses under the domains of "ymail" and "rocketmail."  I already got a couple (i.e. xxxx@ymail.com.  You can get more than one too ... for free!)  To learn more about it read the fully story at  http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080619/tec_yahoo_mail.html

 

If a signer has a hearing impairment, can you still notarize a document for them?

Answer:  Yes.  However, no third-party interpreter may be used because they may misrepresent information.  The notary may use sign language, write or type notes in order to directly communicate with the signer, and the signer must physically appear before the notary.

 

In some states*, notaries may use credible witnesses on acknowledgments and jurats when a person whose signature is being notarized does not have any identification.  The following Credible Witness Affidavit could be used -- but not required according to the NNA -- in addition to the standard procedure of making notations of the credible witnesses' information in your notary journal:

Credible Witness Affidavit

*STATES ALLOWING TWO CREDIBLE WITNESSES WITH SATISFACTORY I.D.:  CA, FL, GA, NM, VA

Under the penalties of perjury, I declare that the person appearing before me [NAME OF NOTARY] as [NAME OF PERSON WHOSE SIGNATURE IS TO BE NOTARIZED] is personally known to me ** who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person named in the document requiring notarization; that I believe the person does not possess the required identification; that I believe it would be difficult or impossible for this person to obtain such identification; and that I do not have a financial interest in and am not a party to the underlying transaction.

WITNESS #1                                                                                       WITNESS #2

[Signature of Credible Witness]                                                    [Signature of Credible Witness]    

Only ONE witness is required if personally known by notary. 

TWO credible witnesses required if not personally known to the notary.  Satisfactory ID required.

                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

JURAT

State of ________

County of ________

Sworn to (or affirmed) and subscribed before me on this (date) day of (month), (year), by (Print name of first Credible Witness), and by (Print name of 2nd Credible Witness or N/A), who produced the following as identification:

Personally Known [ ]

Satisfactory ID [ ]

Witness #1 - Type ______________

Witness #2 - Type ______________

                   [SEAL]                                                                             (Signature of Notary)

                                                                                                             (Printed or Typed Name of Notary)

 

 **NOTE:  In 2008, California laws changed the language on acknowledgments and jurats prohibiting identifying anyone based on personal knowledge so I would think the language on the above Affidavit would be the same as in the current acknowledgments, "who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence..."  I AM NOT CERTAIN ABOUT THIS AND HAVE YET TO FIND A "CREDIBLE WITNESS AFFIDAVIT FORM ANYWHERE ON THE INTERNET, ALTHOUGH I'M SURE THERE IS ONE SOMEWHERE.  THE ABOVE AFFIDAVIT IS FROM A NEWSLETTER FROM THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NOTARIES.

If any notary has information to the contrary or has any other comments on the subject of using Credible Witness Affidavits, I would appreciate hearing from you. 

Thanks!