Inmate Related Notary Information

I receive several request for my services regarding inmate #notary visits & or jail related #notarizations not necessarily to enter the prison to #notarize the signature of the inmate but to guide the inmate's families on how to handle certain #notary requests from the detainee.  I received a call from a woman who's brother is detained, through California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation system, she said her brother asked her to "go to a #notary so that his kids can go see him". Her request was a bit unclear so I needed some information in order to assist her. Asking a few questions regarding the inmate such as: √Inmate Name DOB √Booking / Register number √Facility name and location , helps to determine, what the visiting rules of the specific detention facility are & necessary documents required for visitation. In this particular case this is what she was referring to:

• Minors (children under 18 years old) are required to be accompanied by an adult who is an approved visitor. If the minor child(ren) is accompanied by his/her parent, the only paperwork necessary is a certified copy of the minor child(ren)’s birth certificate. If the minor is accompanied by his/her legal guardian, a certified copy of the minor child(ren)’s birth certificate and proof of legal guardianship is required.

OR

• If the minor child(ren) is accompanied by someone other than his/her parent or legal guardian, in addition to the certified copy of the minor child(ren)’s birth certificate, the adult must also bring a #notarized written consent authorization form signed by the minor child(ren)’s parent or legal guardian expressly giving permission for the minor child(ren) to visit a prisoner. The written consent authorization form must include the name of the prisoner the minor child(ren) is allowed to visit, the name of the person who is authorized to bring the minor child(ren) into the prison, and the date(s) of the proposed visit(s).

The #notarization must be on the original written consent authorization form and cannot be attached to it. The written consent authorization form to bring in a minor child(ren) must be updated each year
With this information I was able to download the form titled "Written Consent for Minor Visitation", which needed to be signed and authorized by the legal parent (in this case the minor's mother) . The detainee did not provide this document & she had no idea where to look to find this document causing my customer a bit of confusion on how to proceed and because this document needs to be signed and notarized the detainee requested she "go to a notary"
As a Full Time Independent Notary Public, customers have the expectation that I should and must know what needs to be done when the word "notary" comes up. I inform my customers that I am not an attorney and cannot give legal advice or accept fees for legal services. However, I do explain while I am downloading documents for them, I am simply providing a secretarial service and not acting as a Notary but as an Independent contractor. That way there will be no miscommunication regarding my role as a Notary Public & the Ancillary Services provided. I do feel it is my responsibility & top priority to go over & above the call of duty to assist my customers in meeting their needs, without the Unauthorized Practice of Law particularly drafting of documents and giving advice.
Information regarding detainee's in the California Department of Corrections is available to the public at their website: https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Visitors/index.html-

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