SOME EXCEPTIONS

A notary can generally notarize most documents with signatures in California, there are a few exceptions. A few obvious ones are blank documents, documents with faxed signatures, and documents in which the notary public has a financial interest. A notary cannot witness their own signature.

In addition, there are a few other restrictions. First, when it comes to powers of attorney, a notary public may only certify copies of powers of attorney under Probate Code Section 4307. That means that the notary certifies only that the certifying person has examined the original power of attorney and the copy, and that the copy is a true and correct copy of the original power of attorney.

BIRTH AND DEATH

 Other documents a notary cannot certify are copies of birth, fetal death, and marriage records. This can only be done by the State Registrar, by registrars, and by county recorders. 

IMMIGRATION 

In addition, while California law holds no general prohibition against notarizing immigration documents, several laws regulate this. First, a notary cannot assist a person in completing immigration forms unless they are a licensed attorney or a registered California immigration consultant.   

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

California does not require that a last will and testament be notarized to be valid. Rather, a standard written will must be witnessed, which is a different matter. A notary can only notarize a will when requested to do so by an attorney.

  QUESTIONABLE ACTS

If the signer cannot understand the document's contents, then the notary cannot notarize the document. If the signer cannot provide an adequate identification clause. If the singer is a minor or believed to have been coerced into singing, a notary cannot notarize the document.