While the Southern California wildfires are still an active threat to life and property, local Notaries should get ready to help the thousands of displaced and distraught victims who are just beginning to realize the scope of their loss. As of this writing, the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and several other fires have ripped through more than 40,000 acres in greater Los Angeles and destroyed more than 12,000 structures, both residential and commercial. 24 people have lost their lives, and at least 92,000 residents remain evacuated or are now homeless.
Since thousands of homes and vehicles were destroyed, you can be sure that victims’ IDs, vital records, mortgage, insurance, estate, and many other important documents were also lost, leaving a huge mess as the recovery process begins in the coming months. There is no question that the victims will need extensive documentation requiring notarization. Beyond that, the threats of fraud rise dramatically in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
The NNA has published an extensive disaster information guide as a quick reference for Notaries who will be helping wildfire victims. Here are a few pointers:
- Many signers will lack ID. If a signer lacks acceptable ID documents, they can use credible identifying witnesses to vouch for them. Review California’s credible witness guidelines and remember: California Notaries can’t rely on personal knowledge to identify a signer. Here’s a list of acceptable ID documents for California signers.
- Watch out for fraud. We’ve already heard reports of fraud in many forms. To protect yourself and your signers, be sure to make a record of all notarizations you perform in your Notary journal.
- Be compassionate, but careful. Many signers will be suffering from extreme distress. Be patient, but don’t take shortcuts or cut corners that could enable fraud or result in the signer’s transaction being rejected.
In the coming weeks and months, here are some examples of the types of documents that might be coming your way for notarization:
- Proof of Ownership and Insurance Documents, like deeds, homeowners’ insurance policies, and property damage assessment reports.
- Replacement of Identification and Legal Documents like government-issued IDs, Social Security cards, and birth certificates.
- Financial Documents like mortgages, loan agreements, contracts, bank statements and proof of income and employment documents.
- Estate and Trust Documents including wills, living trusts, powers of attorney, and advance medical directives.
- Business Documents including business licenses and permits, articles of incorporation, and operating or partnership agreements.
- Insurance and Claims Documents like claim forms, proofs of loss and inventories of lost or damaged items
- Real Estate and Property Documents like building permits and zoning approvals, architectural plans and blueprints, and land surveys
The NNA is available to support Southern California Notaries in this time of crisis. NNA members with questions about notarizing for fire victims can contact the Notary Hotline at 1-888-876-0827. Follow the NNA’s social media channels for further updates and announcements.
David Thun is the Editorial Manager at the National Notary Association.