Is a Notary Public the Same as a Notario Público?
By John F. Heinz, Managing Director, Prismark Signature Services
Published: August 30, 2026
Quick Answer
No. A California Notary Public is not the same professional role as the legal professional commonly known by the Spanish title “Notario Público” in many Spanish-speaking countries.
California law therefore places strict rules on foreign-language advertising by non-attorney notaries. A California notary may not use “notario” or “notario público” as the Spanish translation of “Notary Public” in advertising. If a non-attorney California notary advertises notarial services in Spanish or another language through signs or other written communications, the advertisement must include the required notice in both English and that other language, including the statutory notarial fees.
This distinction protects consumers from mistakenly believing that a California notary has the legal authority of an attorney or of a Latin American notario.
Key Takeaways
- A California Notary Public and a Notario Público are not equivalent professional roles.
- A California notary is not an attorney merely because the person holds a notary commission.
- California prohibits using “notario” or “notario público” as a Spanish translation of “Notary Public” in advertising.
- A non-attorney notary who advertises notarial services in Spanish or another language in written advertising generally must include the required legal notice in both English and the other language.
- The bilingual notice must state that the notary is not an attorney and cannot give legal advice about immigration or other legal matters.
- The bilingual notice must also state the fees set by statute that a California notary may charge for notarial services.
- Any separate mobile-service or travel fee should be clearly distinguished from the statutory fee for the notarial act.
What Does a California Notary Public Do?
A California Notary Public is a commissioned public official who performs specific notarial acts. Depending on the notarization, the notary may establish the signer’s identity through satisfactory evidence, take an acknowledgment, administer an oath or affirmation, complete the appropriate notarial certificate, and apply the official notary seal. In California, a Notary Public is not a lawyer simply because the person holds a notary commission and, unless separately licensed to practice law, cannot give legal advice.
A notary commission does not authorize the notary to give legal advice, choose legal documents for a client, or act as an attorney.
Why Is the Spanish Title Treated Differently?
In many Latin American countries, a Notario Público is a specially trained legal professional with substantially broader legal authority than a California Notary Public. Depending on the country, a Notario Público may be authorized to prepare legal documents, advise clients on legal matters, and perform functions that in the United States are generally associated with attorneys. Exact qualifications and authority vary by country.
California is very different. A California Notary Public is not an attorney merely because the person is commissioned as a notary. Unless separately licensed to practice law, a California notary cannot provide legal advice, choose legal documents for a client, or advise a client about the legal effect of a document.
What Does California Require for Spanish-Language Notary Advertising?
California Government Code section 8219.5 provides that a non-attorney notary who advertises notarial services in a language other than English by signs or other written communication, except for a single desk plaque, must post a prescribed notice with the advertisement in English and in the other language.
The notice must include both of the following:
- A statement that the notary is not an attorney and therefore cannot give legal advice about immigration or any other legal matters.
- The fees set by statute that a notary public may charge for notarial services.
For Spanish-language written advertising, this means the required disclaimer and the statutory notarial fee information must appear in both English and Spanish. The prohibited Spanish translation of “Notary Public” cannot be used even if the required bilingual notice is included.
How Should Pricing Be Presented?
For 2026, California’s maximum fee for many common notarial acts, including an acknowledgment for each signature and a jurat, is $15. If those statutory fees are presented as part of Spanish-language notary advertising, the required fee information should be shown in both English and Spanish as part of the bilingual notice.
A mobile-service or travel fee is separate from the statutory fee for the notarization itself. For example, Prismark’s mobile service starts at $80, in addition to the applicable notarization fees. Keeping the two charges clearly separated helps clients understand what is being charged for travel/mobile service and what is being charged for the notarial act.
Beginning January 1, 2027, California’s maximum fee for many common notarial acts increases from $15 to $20. Advertising and fee disclosures should be updated when the new statutory amount becomes effective.
Example of the Required Attorney Disclaimer
English: “I am not an attorney and, therefore, cannot give legal advice about immigration or any other legal matters.”
Spanish: “No soy abogado y, por lo tanto, no puedo dar asesoría legal sobre inmigración ni sobre ningún otro asunto legal.”
The complete required notice also includes the applicable statutory notarial fees in both languages.
Can a California Notary Help With Immigration Documents?
A California notary may notarize a signature on an immigration-related document when a lawful notarization is requested. A notary commission alone does not authorize the notary to provide immigration advice or complete immigration forms for a client. Separate laws govern immigration consultants and other authorized immigration assistance.
You’re in Good Hands With Prismark
For your peace of mind, Prismark is a bonded California Notary Public, background screened, and carries $1 million in Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance. Prismark has also earned 200+ five-star Google reviews from clients we have served.
Prismark provides clear communication throughout the notarization process and keeps mobile-service charges separate from the statutory cost of the notarizations.
Professional. Reliable. Responsive.
How Prismark Can Help
Prismark Signature Services provides professional mobile notary services throughout Los Angeles and surrounding communities. We verify identification, follow the requirements for the requested notarization, and help make the signing process clear and straightforward without providing legal advice.
Prismark mobile service starts at $80, in addition to the applicable notarization fees.
Contact Prismark Signature Services at (213) 563-0758 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
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Professional Notice
The information provided in the Prismark Library is for general educational purposes only. Prismark Signature Services is not a law firm and does not provide legal or immigration advice.
California notary advertising requirements are governed by law and may change. Notaries should review the current California Secretary of State Notary Public Handbook and applicable statutes before publishing foreign-language advertising.
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