California Notary Acknowledgment Overview
A notary acknowledgment in California is a certificate completed by a CA-commissioned notary public confirming that a signer personally appeared before the notary, was positively identified, and acknowledged signing a document voluntarily. California law prescribes specific statutory wording that must be used for acknowledgment certificates to be valid and accepted by recording offices throughout the state. Using incorrect or out-of-state wording can result in document rejection.
California notary acknowledgments are required for real estate deeds, powers of attorney, trust documents, mortgages, and many other legal instruments filed or recorded in the state. The notary does not verify the content or legality of the document — only the identity of the signer and that the signature was made willingly. California notaries must hold an active commission, maintain proper bonding, and follow all CA notarial procedures when performing acknowledgments.
$15
Max fee per act
4 years
Commission term
Yes
RON allowed
Required
Journal
California Acknowledgment Wording
California law prescribes specific statutory wording for notary acknowledgment certificates. Using the correct wording is essential for documents that will be recorded with California county recorders or filed with state agencies. Below are the required acknowledgment forms for different signer types.
California Specific Note
The acknowledgment wording below reflects California's statutory requirements. While substantially similar certificates may be accepted, using the exact statutory language ensures your document will not be rejected for recording. Always verify current requirements with your county recorder's office before filing.
Individual Acknowledgment
State of California
County of _______________
On _______________ before me, _______________, a notary public, personally appeared _______________, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature ___________________________
(Seal)
Corporate / Representative Acknowledgment
State of California
County of _______________
On _______________ before me, _______________, a notary public, personally appeared _______________, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) as _______________ [title] of _______________ [entity], and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature ___________________________
(Seal)
Multiple Signers Acknowledgment
State of California
County of _______________
On _______________ before me, _______________, a notary public, personally appeared _______________ and _______________, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that they executed the same in their authorized capacities, and that by their signatures on the instrument the persons, or the entity upon behalf of which the persons acted, executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature ___________________________
(Seal)
California Notary Requirements
California has specific requirements for notaries public who perform acknowledgments. Understanding these requirements helps ensure your notarization is valid and your documents will be accepted.
- Commission Term: California notary commissions are valid for 4 years from the date of issuance
- Bond: A $15,000 surety bond is required for California notaries
- Exam: A written exam is required to become a notary in California
- Journal: Maintaining a notary journal is mandatory and required by law in California
- Seal/Stamp: California notaries must use an official seal or stamp on all notarial certificates
- Max Fee: $15 per notarial act for in-person notarizations
Remote Online Notarization in California
California does allow remote online notarization (RON), which permits signers to appear before a notary via secure audio-video technology rather than in person. RON sessions require multi-factor identity verification including knowledge-based authentication questions, credential analysis of a government-issued ID, and live video confirmation.
RON notaries in California must use approved technology platforms that meet state requirements for security, recording, and record retention. All RON sessions are recorded and the recordings must be stored for the period specified by CA law. RON fees may differ from in-person notarization fees.
California Notary Fees
California regulates the maximum fees notaries may charge for notarial acts. Below is a breakdown of typical notarization costs in California.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment (per signature) | Up to $15 |
| Jurat (per signature) | Up to $15 |
| Oath / Affirmation | Up to $15 |
| Mobile Notary Travel Fee | Varies (not regulated in most cases) |
| Remote Online Notarization | $25 (typical, may vary by platform) |
California Identification Requirements
California notaries must verify the identity of each signer before performing an acknowledgment. The following forms of identification are generally accepted in California.
Sample California Acknowledgment Certificate
Below is a preview of our California-specific notary acknowledgment certificate. Your customized document will include the exact CA statutory wording and all required notarial elements.
CERTIFICATE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Individual Acknowledgment
VENUE:
State of California
County of [County]
SIGNER INFORMATION:
Name: [Full Legal Name]
ID Type: [ID Presented]
Date: [Date of Notarization]
NOTARY CERTIFICATION:
Notary Name: [Printed Name]
Commission #: [Number]
Commission Expires: [Date]
Signature:
[NOTARY SEAL / STAMP]
California Notary Acknowledgment FAQ
Answers to common questions about notary acknowledgments in California, including wording requirements, fees, and notarization procedures.
Official California Resources
Use these official resources to verify California notary requirements, find a notary, and access state notary forms and information.
Related California Documents
Documents commonly used alongside notary acknowledgments in California, or that require CA notarization.
California Jurat / Verification
Notarial certificate for sworn statements and affidavits
California Affidavit
Sworn statement requiring notarized jurat
California Power of Attorney
Legal authorization requiring notarized acknowledgment
California Quitclaim Deed
Property transfer deed requiring notarized acknowledgment
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