Real Estate Documents We Notarize
Real estate documents in California must be notarized before they can be recorded with the county recorder's office. Our mobile notaries travel throughout Sacramento County and surrounding areas to notarize these documents wherever you are.
- Grant Deed — Transfers title from one party to another with an implied warranty that the grantor has not previously conveyed the property.
- Quitclaim Deed — Transfers whatever interest the grantor has (if any) without warranty. Common for transfers between family members, adding/removing a spouse, or correcting title defects.
- Deed of Trust — A three-party security instrument used in California mortgage transactions (instead of a traditional mortgage). The borrower signs in front of a notary.
- Interspousal Transfer Deed — Used to transfer property between spouses, often during marriage, divorce, or estate planning.
- Affidavit of Death of Joint Tenant — Used to remove a deceased joint tenant from title without full probate.
- Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR) — A required California form when recording any deed transfer.
- Substitution of Trustee — Changes the trustee on a deed of trust.
- Reconveyance Deed — Releases a deed of trust once the loan is paid off.
- Trust Transfer Deed — Transfers real property into a living trust. One of the most requested services for estate planning clients.
Why Use a Mobile Notary for Real Estate Documents?
Most Sacramento real estate transactions close at title companies that have their own notaries. But there are situations where a mobile notary is essential:
- Hospitalized or immobile signer — A seller who has had surgery or is in a care facility and cannot travel to the title company
- Elderly sellers in senior communities — We regularly visit assisted living facilities and memory care communities to notarize real estate documents
- Trust transfers — Funding a living trust by transferring title — often done at home after the trust is signed
- Family transfers — Quitclaim and interspousal transfers that don't involve a title company
- Remote signers — One party is local and the other is out of state; we handle the local party's signing
- After-hours or weekend closings — When the title company is unavailable and a signing must happen
🏥 Hospital Signings: If a property seller is hospitalized and needs to sign closing documents, we can coordinate with the title company and come to the bedside — sometimes the same day. Call us at (916) 222-2251.
What to Have Ready
- Valid government-issued photo ID for all signers (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- The complete, unsigned deed or document to be notarized
- Property address and APN (Assessor's Parcel Number) filled in on the deed
- All parties whose signatures require notarization must be present
- Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (if required by the county recorder)
- Any additional recording documents required by the county
- Do NOT sign the deed before the notary arrives — it must be signed in the notary's presence
- Do NOT leave the legal description or APN blank — the deed must be complete before notarization
- Do NOT use a photocopy of a deed — original documents should be used for recording
- Do NOT forget to record the deed — notarization makes it legal, but recording it with the county recorder makes it public record and protects your ownership rights
- Do NOT assume the notary will prepare the deed — we notarize completed documents. Use an attorney or title company to prepare the deed language.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. All real estate deeds in California must be notarized before they can be recorded with the county recorder's office. An unnotarized deed is not recordable and does not provide the public record protection of recorded title.
Yes. Bedside real estate signings are one of the situations we handle most carefully. We coordinate with you, the title company (if involved), and the hospital to ensure everything goes smoothly. Same-day visits are often available.
The notary does not prepare deeds. You (or your attorney, title company, or real estate agent) must provide a completed deed. We notarize the signatures on completed documents. If you need a deed prepared, consult a real estate attorney or title company.
The notary fee is $15 per notarized signature — the California state-regulated maximum. Real estate packages often involve multiple notarized signatures (grant deeds, deeds of trust, etc.), so the total notary fee depends on the number of signatures. Travel fees start at $50. Call or text (916) 222-2251 for an exact quote.
Need Real Estate Documents Notarized?
We come to you — home, hospital, senior community, or anywhere in Sacramento and surrounding counties.