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If you are needing notary public or fast 24 hour apostille service in Thousand Oaks or the surrounding areas of Westlake, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Newbury Park, Agoura, Calabasas or beyond, call 805.444.7064

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Well.....it's been some time since I've added to this blog and I'm going to try to do some catching up with useful information for the folks of Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

One important thing that I'd like to briefly discuss is the need for families caring for elder relatives to be sure that they have a current California Identification Card if that relative is no longer driving.  This will be needed when the senior relative signs documents that must be notarized.

The reason why this is important is that when it comes time for grandma or grandpa to sign a power of attorney or advanced health care directive, they will need appropriate identification to demonstrate their identity before a notary public.  Without that, the document will not be notarized.

While it is possible to substitute two "credible witnesses"(2 unrelated people), unrelated to the transaction,  who can swear upon an oath as far as your senior's identity, frequently I am seeing that this is not very convenient.

For instance, if your senior relative is in a skilled nursing facility, hospital, or nursing home, more and more these employees are being directed to not involve themselves when patients are having documents notarized.  Although the employees would only be swearing to the factual identity of your senior, most administrators are concerned their employees will become involved in a law suit.  Of course this is quite unlikely as they are only swearing to the senior's identity and nothing more.  However this lack of cooperation appears to be occurring more and more and I am seeing families stuck when their senior doesn't have appropriate identification.

Therefore, please consider that if your elder relative doesn't have ID, you will need to bring with you two witnesses that personally know your relative and can swear to their identity and produce their own driver's license.  The two witnesses can not be anyway involved in the transaction being notarized.

Better yet, plan ahead and get the California Senior Citizen Identification Card for your senior as soon as they stop driving or any time after they have turned 62 years of age and do not drive.  This will save you a giant headache when legal documents need to be signed and notarized.

To apply for the California Senior Citizen Identification Card, here is the information from the California DMV website:


How to apply for or renew an identification (ID) card

DMV issues two types of ID cards. A regular ID card valid for six years, and a senior citizen ID card valid for 10 years. To qualify for a senior citizen ID card, you must be age 62 or older.
To apply for an ID card you will need to do the following:
  • Visit a DMV office (make an Appointment(s) for faster service)
  • Complete application form DL 44 (An original DL 44 form must be submitted. Copies will not be accepted.)
  • Give a thumb print
  • Have your picture taken
  • Provide your social security number. It will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are in the office.
  • Verify your birth date and legal presence (you may use your California driver license)
  • Pay the application fee. (No fee for a senior citizen ID card.)
Check your address before you leave DMV and tell the DMV representative if your address is incorrect. Your new ID will be mailed to you within 60 days. If you have not received your ID after 60 days, call 1–800–777–0133 to check the status. Have your receipt and/or old ID card with you to provide information when requested.
DMV will exchange a valid license for a no–fee ID card to drivers who are no longer able to drive safely because of a physical or mental condition. Please call your local DMV for additional information.
To renew your ID card, you will need to:
  • Visit a DMV office (make an Appointment(s) for faster service)
  • Complete application form DL 44. (An original DL 44 form must be submitted. Copies will not be accepted.)
  • Give a thumb print
  • Have your picture taken
  • Pay the application fee. (No fee for a senior citizen ID card.)
Double check your address before you leave DMV and tell the DMV representative if your address is incorrect. Your new ID will be mailed to you within 60 days. If you have not received your ID after 60 days, call 1–800–777–0133 and they can check on the status for you. Have your receipt and/or old ID card with you to provide information when requested.
You can see if you are eligibile to renew your identification card by mail by completing and submitting the California Identification Card Renewal by Mail Eligibility Form (DL 410 ID).



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