Rush Notary

Compliance · Remote Online Notarization for California signers

Online Notarization Requirements: California

Rush Notary's notaries are commissioned online notaries public in the State of Florida. Florida's Remote Online Notarization (RON) law lets a Florida-commissioned notary notarize for a signer located anywhere, including California, over live audio-video. Bring these three items and you're ready to notarize from anywhere in California.

✅ Valid Photo ID Required✅ KBA Verification Required✅ SOC 2 & HIPAA Compliant
Good to know: California generally recognizes a notarial acknowledgment taken out of state if it complied with that state's law (Civil Code §1189(b)), which is exactly what a Florida RON session produces. Acceptance of any notarized document is ultimately up to the receiving department, agency, or institution, so we recommend confirming with the specific California city office, lender, or title company before your appointment, especially for documents headed to a county recorder.

What You Need for Any Notarization Session

All three items below are required regardless of the type of session you choose.

Valid Government-Issued Photo ID

Your ID must be current, unexpired, and government-issued. It must include your photo and full legal name.

KBA Identity Verification

Knowledge-Based Authentication: a short identity quiz pulled from public records. Required by Florida law for every RON session our notaries perform, including sessions for California signers.

Device, Camera & Internet

A computer, tablet, or smartphone with a working camera and microphone, on a stable internet connection.

Important: Expired IDs cannot be accepted under any circumstances. Your ID must match the name on the document being notarized.

Accepted Forms of Photo ID

Any of the following count as a valid form of identification, as long as they're current and bear your photo:

Driver's License
U.S. Passport or Passport Card
State-Issued Photo ID
U.S. Military ID
Permanent Resident Card
Foreign Passport

Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA)

KBA is a legally required identity verification step under Florida law for every Remote Online Notarization (RON) session our notaries perform, including sessions for signers located in California.

What are KBA questions?

Multiple-choice questions pulled from your public records, things like prior addresses, past vehicle ownership, or names of people you've been associated with. They are not security questions you've set up; they're generated dynamically.

How long does it take?

The KBA quiz typically takes 2 to 3 minutes to complete.

Must be completed individually

Each signer must pass their own KBA. You cannot share an account or take the quiz on someone else's behalf.

⚠️ Important: You Have 2 Attempts to Pass KBA

You are allowed two attempts to pass the KBA verification. If you fail both attempts, your account will be locked for 24 hours as required by Florida notary regulations. This is not a permanent block, after 24 hours, you may try again.

Ready to get started?

Book a notary session and we'll walk you through KBA + signing.

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Signer Verification, Signature & Notary Seal

Here's what happens once you're in the live session with your notary:

  1. 1

    Identity Verification

    The notary confirms your identity by reviewing your photo ID on camera and matching it against your live video.

  2. 2

    Acknowledgement of Intent

    You verbally confirm you're signing freely and willingly, and that you understand the document.

  3. 3

    Electronic Signature

    You sign the document electronically, typed, drawn, or uploaded signature, depending on the document.

  4. 4

    Official Notary Seal

    The notary applies their Florida commission seal. Our notarial certificate references Florida law (F.S. Chapter 117), consistent with the acknowledgment or jurat language your document requires.

  5. 5

    Notary Journal Entry

    The notary records the session in their digital journal as required by Florida statute.

  6. 6

    Secure Download

    Immediately after the session, you will receive a secure email link to download your notarized document.

A note on document types: Non-recorded documents, many city permit affidavits, sworn statements, and owner-builder verification forms, can often be notarized this way without needing an in-state notary. Documents that will be recorded with a California county recorder (deeds, covenants, liens) may face additional requirements around original signatures; check with the recorder or a title company before scheduling.

Technical & Document Requirements

The session runs in your browser. Here's what your setup needs:

Camera & Microphone

A working webcam and microphone, granted permission in your browser.

Stable Internet Connection

A minimum of 10 Mbps is recommended.

Document Format

Documents must be in PDF format. Upload before joining the session.

Be the Signer

Only the person whose signature is being notarized can join the session. Witnesses can be added separately when required.

Location

The notary is commissioned in Florida and performs the session over live audio-video; you can be located anywhere in California.

Compatible Devices

Latest Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge on desktop, tablet, or smartphone.

Start Your Notarization Now

You've got your ID, your camera, and your document. Connect with a live, Florida-commissioned notary in minutes, from anywhere in California.

⚡ Start Notarization

Not sure if your California city or county will accept an out-of-state notarization? Contact our support team we're happy to help you check before you book.

SOC 2 Certified•HIPAA Compliant•Florida-Commissioned Notaries•Available 24/7

Requirements

Can my California document be notarized online?

A California document can be notarized online with Rush Notary, with one caveat to know about before you book. The notarization is honored for most uses in California, but deeds and other documents recorded with a county office may need extra checking with the receiving office first. For a mailed birth, death or marriage certificate request, the California Department of Public Health, Vital Records (CDPH-VR) rule (Sworn statement) makes a notary part of that application in California.

Which California forms need a notary?

The principal's signature must be either acknowledged before a notary or signed by two adult witnesses (Probate Code §4121). A power that will be used for real estate must be notarized, because the recorder requires an acknowledgment. For certified vital records, the California Department of Public Health, Vital Records (CDPH-VR) says: The Sworn Statement (VS 20) in the application packet must be signed before a notary for any mailed authorized-copy request; no ID copy is needed.

Can I notarize a California document online from another state?

Yes, for most documents, with a caveat. California's own remote-notarization program (SB 696, 2023) is not yet operating, so no California notary can notarize online. California recognizes an acknowledgment taken under another state's law (Civil Code §1189(b)), which is how an online notarization under Florida law is honored for banking and most uses. County recorders apply an original-signature rule to deeds, so a power of attorney notarized online for a California real estate closing must be cleared with the title company first.

How do I notarize a California birth certificate application?

Sign the sworn statement in front of a notary. For an AUTHORIZED certified copy by mail you must enclose the Sworn Statement (VS 20, page 4 of the 5-page VS 111/112/113-A packet) in which you declare under penalty of perjury that you are an authorized person under HSC §103526(c); the signature block is completed before a notary who attaches a California 'Certificate of Acknowledgment' (an acknowledgment, not a jurat). No photocopy of ID is required with a mailed request. Without the notarized sworn statement CDPH-VR rejects an authorized-copy request as incomplete; an INFORMATIONAL copy needs no sworn statement. Law-enforcement/government agencies (and funeral establishments for death records) are exempt from the notary requirement. A foreign notarization needs an apostille (except U.S. consular officers or a foreign judge of a court of record). You can sign in a live video session with a Rush Notary notary, then mail the notarized page with the rest of the application; confirm with the California Department of Public Health, Vital Records (CDPH-VR) that it accepts an online notarization first.

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