What Notaries Can and Can't Do... Legally

One of the things people appreciate most about Mark Orr, Mobile Notary, is that he's completely transparent about what he can and can't do.

There's a lot of confusion out there about the notary's role, and Mark would rather be upfront than have a client walk away disappointed or misinformed.

What Mark CAN Do

As a California-commissioned notary public, Mark is authorized to take acknowledgments — certifying that a person appeared before him, was identified, and acknowledged signing a document of their own free will. He can administer oaths and affirmations, which is what's required for affidavits and sworn statements. He can certify copies of certain documents, specifically his own notary journal entries and documents that aren't vital records or publicly recordable. And he can perform a jurat, where a signer swears or affirms under oath that the contents of a document are true.

What Mark CANNOT Do

Here's where Mark will always be straight with you: he cannot give legal advice. If you have questions about what a contract means, whether a power of attorney covers a specific situation, or whether you should sign something — those are questions for an attorney. He can't notarize a document if he has a financial interest in it or is a named party. He can't notarize a signature if you're not physically present (with limited exceptions for Remote Online Notarization). And he can't certify copies of vital records like birth or death certificates — those come from the issuing government agency.

Why These Limits Exist

These restrictions aren't arbitrary. A notary's authority is intentionally narrow because their role is to be an impartial witness — not an advocate or advisor. That impartiality is exactly what gives a notarized document its weight and credibility.

A Notary You Can Trust

Mark Orr is the kind of person who will tell you what he can help with, what's outside his scope, and who you should call for the rest. That kind of honesty is rare, and it's why his clients in Los Angeles County keep coming back — and send their friends his way.

CONTACT MARK HERE