Flat fee
$150
Covers up to 5 notarized signatures, all travel within San Diego County, and the security check-in / processing time inside the facility.
Specialty service
Jail & detention facility notary across San Diego County.
I notarize inside jails, federal detention centers, ICE facilities, and state prisons throughout San Diego County. Flat $150 covers up to five signatures, travel, and the security check-in process. Bilingual. Se habla español.
How it works
1
Call or text with the facility name, the inmate's full legal name, and booking number. Brief description of the documents.
2
I confirm scheduling based on my availability and the facility's visiting hours. Same-day may be possible; many facilities require 24+ hours notice.
3
I meet you to collect documents (or you email them ahead), then go directly to the facility for the signing.
4
Return the signed documents to you in person or per your instructions.
Pricing
Additional signatures
$10 each
For each signature beyond the 5th. No hidden fees; pricing is quoted upfront before I leave for the facility.
Federal facilities (MCC San Diego, Otay Mesa Detention Center) and after-hours / weekend signings, if approved by the facility, may include an additional accommodation fee — quoted upfront.
Facilities served
San Diego County jail system, federal detention, state prisons, and similar institutions:
County jails
- San Diego Central Jail (Downtown)
- George Bailey Detention Facility (Otay Mesa)
- South Bay Detention Facility (Chula Vista)
- Vista Detention Facility (North County)
- Las Colinas Detention Facility (Santee)
Federal & immigration
- MCC San Diego (federal downtown)
- Otay Mesa Detention Center (ICE / federal)
- Imperial Regional Detention (border-region)
State prisons
- R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility (Otay Mesa)
- Other CDCR facilities by request
Other facilities
- Juvenile detention (county & state)
- Court-ordered residential treatment
- Mental health holds (with court approval)
- Other restricted facilities by appointment
Documents I notarize at facilities
All standard California-acceptable notarizations, including:
Personal & family
- Powers of attorney (general & durable)
- Advance health care directives
- Child custody / guardianship
- Divorce paperwork
- Wills & trusts (where applicable)
Legal & court
- Civil lawsuit signatures
- Bail-related paperwork
- Affidavits & declarations
- Subpoena acknowledgments
- Process service receipts
Property & financial
- Vehicle title transfers
- Real estate (grant deeds, etc.)
- Bank / financial account access
- Insurance forms
Immigration
- USCIS-required notarizations
- Family-sponsor affidavits
- Other immigration-related paperwork
I do not provide legal advice on immigration matters.
What to know before booking
- Visiting hours apply. County jails have specific notary visitation windows (typically 8 AM–4 PM weekdays). Federal facilities require advance scheduling. I work within these constraints; not all signings can be same-day.
- Bring the booking number. Facilities will not allow access without the inmate's correct full legal name and booking number. Verify with the facility's online roster if unsure.
- Documents must be ready and unsigned. The inmate signs in front of me, not before. If documents are pre-signed, they cannot be notarized.
- Inmate must understand the document. California notary law requires the signer be capable of acknowledging the act. If the inmate is under sedation or mental incapacity, I cannot notarize.
- I keep facility procedures private. Specific search procedures, equipment rules, and entry quirks vary; I handle these so you don't have to learn them.
FAQ
Will the jail actually let you in to notarize?
Yes. California notaries are authorized to enter jails and detention facilities for the purpose of notarial acts. I've been doing this since 2015 and am familiar with the procedures at each San Diego County facility. The facility will check my credentials and ID at the entry.
What if the inmate doesn't have ID on them?
Most facilities issue an inmate ID at booking that satisfies California's ID requirements for notarization. If for any reason no acceptable ID is available, California allows the use of two credible witnesses who personally know the inmate. I can coordinate this if needed — bring two adults who know the signer and have their own ID.
Can you do same-day jail signings?
Sometimes, depending on my schedule and the facility's hours. County jails generally accept walk-in notary visits during business hours; federal facilities almost always require 24+ hours advance scheduling. Text me as early as possible and I'll tell you what's realistic.
Why is the fee higher than a regular mobile notary appointment?
Jail and detention signings take 2–4 hours of my time end-to-end: travel, security check-in, the actual notarial act, and getting the document back to you. They also require facility-specific knowledge and patience with security procedures. The $150 flat fee reflects the time commitment and specialty nature of the visit.
Do you take instructions from the inmate's family or attorney?
I take documents from whoever is engaging me to do the signing — usually family, an attorney, or a bondsman. The actual signing must be done by the inmate, who acknowledges the document in my presence. I cannot take signing instructions on the inmate's behalf.
Do you serve federal detention and ICE facilities?
Yes. I serve MCC San Diego (federal downtown), Otay Mesa Detention Center (ICE / federal contractor), and similar institutions. Federal facilities require advance scheduling, valid notary credentials, and compliance with stricter security procedures. I handle the scheduling and entry process for you.
Ready to schedule?
Text is fastest. Include the facility name, inmate's full legal name, and booking number.
California Compliance
English
I am not an attorney and, therefore, cannot give legal advice about immigration or any other legal matters.
Español
No soy abogado y, por lo tanto, no puedo darle asesoría legal sobre inmigración ni sobre otros asuntos legales.
View California maximum statutory fees
| Service | Maximum fee |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgment / Proof of deed (includes seal and certificate) | $15 / signature |
| Jurat (includes seal) | $15 / signature |
| Oath / Affirmation | $15 |
| Certified copy of a Power of Attorney (Probate Code 4307) | $15 |
| Deposition services | $30 |
| Administering oath to a deposition witness | $7 |
| Certificate to a deposition | $7 |
| Vote-by-mail ID envelopes / voting materials | $0 |
| U.S. military veteran's application for benefits | $0 |
| Immigration forms data entry (only if also bonded as immigration consultant) | $15 / individual |
Travel fees and other convenience fees (if any) are quoted separately and are not notarial act fees.
We Accept
Choose whatever's easiest for you. All major payment methods accepted at the time of signing.
- Cash
- Cash App
- Zelle
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Tap to Pay
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Check
- ACH / Bank Transfer
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Discover
- Visa