Mobile Notary for School & College Documents

Not necessarily.

Some educational documents require notarization and many do not. Review the instructions on the form or contact the school, college, agency, or organization requesting the document.

A notary cannot decide whether the receiving institution requires notarization.

Not necessarily.

Under FERPA, rights concerning education records generally transfer to the student when the student turns 18 or attends a postsecondary institution at any age. Federal law provides certain circumstances in which schools may disclose information to parents, but families should check directly with the college regarding its policies, forms, and procedures.

Yes, that can happen.

Paying tuition does not by itself mean a parent has unrestricted access to all of an adult student's education records. FERPA does permit certain disclosures to parents, including in some circumstances involving tax dependency, health or safety emergencies, and other statutory exceptions.

For questions about a particular student's records, contact the college directly.

Do not assume that it will.

Once a young person becomes an adult, medical privacy and decision-making rights can change. What information can be shared and who may act on behalf of another adult can depend upon HIPAA, state law, the circumstances, and any authorization or legal authority that may exist.

If your family wants to prepare in advance, speak with an attorney or appropriate healthcare professional about your options before an emergency occurs.

No.

As a California Notary Public, I cannot select legal documents for your family, prepare them, explain their legal effect, or advise you about which authority should be granted.

If you need help deciding what documents are appropriate, consult a licensed attorney or other appropriate professional.

If you already have properly prepared documents that require notarization, I can perform the requested notarial act when all legal requirements are met.

Yes, if the properly prepared document requires notarization and the signer meets California's requirements for the requested notarial act.

The student or other signer must personally appear before the notary.

 If the document contains or requires a notarized signature, I can perform the requested notarization when the applicable requirements are met.

Not all HIPAA authorizations or medical releases require notarization, so confirm the requirements with the healthcare provider, attorney, or organization providing or receiving the document.

Not automatically.

Colleges establish their own forms and procedures for student authorization, and FERPA itself should not be understood as creating a blanket notarization requirement for every release.

If your college provides a form that specifically requires notarization, I can perform the requested notarization.

Documents can often be prepared and notarized before the student leaves California if the signer is here and the document is ready for notarization.

Because requirements may depend on the document and the receiving institution, check with the school, attorney, healthcare provider, agency, or organization before the appointment.

 Yes. 

If several family members have documents requiring notarization, they can usually be handled during the same mobile appointment. Every person whose signature is being notarized must personally appear and meet the identification and other requirements applicable to the notarization. 

Follow the instructions provided with your documents.

For documents requiring a jurat or other notarization in which the signature must occur in the notary's presence, do not sign beforehand. If you are uncertain, contact me before the appointment and I can explain the notarial process without advising you about the legal contents of the document.

The signer must present identification that satisfies California's requirements for the requested notarization.

If your student is newly 18 or does not yet have a traditional driver's license, contact me before scheduling so we can discuss whether the identification they have may qualify under California notary law.

Yes.

That is one of the advantages of mobile notary service. Your family can complete the required notarizations at home or another convenient agreed-upon location without adding another errand to an already busy college-preparation schedule.

No.

I can explain the notarization process and what I am doing as the notary, but I cannot explain the legal meaning or effect of the documents, advise the signer whether to sign them, or recommend what authority should be given to another person.

Questions about the documents themselves should be directed to the attorney, school, healthcare provider, or other organization that prepared or requested them.

No.

I can explain the notarization process and what I am doing as the notary, but I cannot explain the legal meaning or effect of the documents, advise the signer whether to sign them, or recommend what authority should be given to another person.

Questions about the documents themselves should be directed to the attorney, school, healthcare provider, or other organization that prepared or requested them.