Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is an Apostille?

An Apostille is a certification that a legal document is authentic. Any document issued in the U.S. must be certified when it is going to be used in a foreign country that is part of the Hague Convention “Abolishing the Requirement of Consular Legalization for Foreign Public Documents of 1961”.

Q: Who Needs a Apostille?

American citizens or foreign nationals, corporations and non-governmental organizations.

Q: What Kind of Documents Need an Apostille?

Apostilles are required for legal documents including (but not limited to) adoption papers, affidavits, birth certificates, contracts, death certificates, deeds, diplomas and degrees, divorce decrees, incorporation papers, marriage certificates, patent applications, powers of attorney, and school transcripts.

Please note that I only process documents originally recorded in California.

Q: What is the Process of Obtaining an Apostille?

The certification is a two step process where a notary public verifies the document signer’s identity and attaches their seal and signature. The Secretary of State certifies authenticity of the my signature, seal and the capacity in which I acted. The Office of the Secretary of State then attaches the Apostille stamped certificate to the document. The document and Apostille certificate is then returned to the notary public who sends the document to the foreign government, corporation, organization or individual.

Q: Which Countries Participate in Apostille Certification?

Any member country of the Hague Convention “Abolishing the Requirement of Consular Legalization for Foreign Public Documents of 1961”. Under this Convention, member countries agree to facilitate the exchange and verification of documents, an apostille certification will be required for all member countries of the Hague convention.

Here is list countries that will accept an Apostille: https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41

Q: What is Live Scan?

A: Live Scan is an inkless, electronic means of capturing fingerprints in a digitized format to positively identify a person biometrically, confirming their unique identity for criminal background checks prior to employment, licensure, or certification. 

Q: Who needs a Live Scan?

A: It is most often used for candidates for positions working with and around vulnerable populations (children, the elderly, and disabled), including law enforcement agencies, public and private schools, non-profit organizations, and in-home supportive care agencies. However, all institutions and professions with applicants for employment, licensing or certification may require it for positions, such as 

• Attorneys
• Bus drivers 
• Caregivers for children and elderly
• Contractors 
• Certified Public Accountants (CPAs)
• Dental assistants
• Gaming personnel
• Healthcare: nurses, doctors, hospital staffs
• Insurance personnel
• Law enforcement personnel, security guards
• Lottery retailers
• Notaries
• Pharmacists
• Pilots
• Realtors and real estate brokers 
• Sports coaches
• Stock brokers
• Summer camp counselors
• Teachers, teaching aides, and other school staff
• Volunteers at a variety of institutions 
• And other positions not listed here

Q: What should I bring with me?

A: Please bring all of the documents that you need to be notarized (and all pages of each). 

You must show a current government identification card (ID) that has been issued within the past five (5) years [per Civil Code Section 118(c)(3)&(4)]. The ID must have a photograph, description and signature of the person, and an identifying number. 

Examples of appropriate IDs: 

• Driver's license or identification card issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles 
• U.S. Passport
• Foreign Passport
• Military ID card
• Consular card
• Tribal ID card

In the event that none of these forms of ID are available, two credible witnesses who fulfill all three of the following requirements must come with you. 

• Personally know the signer
• Are not named in the document(s)
• Do not have a financial interest in the document(s)

Both credible witnesses must have proper ID, as described above. 

Q: What kind of payments do you accept?

A: I accept cash, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express), and checks under $25.00. 

My rates are very reasonable and I offer special discounts on services to senior citizens, teachers, and hospice facilities. The travel fee is discussed above. 

Q: How do I know if I need a Live Scan to renew my nursing license?

A: The California Board of Nursing requires a full set of fingerprints be submitted to both levels of service (the Department of Justice and FBI) when a nursing license is renewed. This is a requirement if you were originally fingerprinted with a hard card instead of a Live Scan or the Live Scan was submitted to the board before to June 8, 2008 when both levels were not required. With Live Scan, your fingerprints are submitted electronically to the DOJ and FBI which then forwards the results to the board. 

For more information: http://www.rn.ca.gov/licensees/ren-fp.shtml#determine

Q: What is the Cost of Obtaining an Apostille?

My Apostille processing fee is $55.00. The state fees and mailing and/or courier fees vary depending on how quickly the document is needed and the country to which the documents are being sent. I am happy to provide you a quote for these costs.

For a quote, please fill out the form below and mail it to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Download Request an Apostille Quote Form

Q: Do you offer ink fingerprinting services?

A: Yes, we offer FBI FD-258 Ink Cards. 

Many California police departments and sheriff offices have stopped offering ink fingerprinting services to the general public. Luna Live Scan + Notary is registered by California Department of Justice to roll ink hard card FD-258 for employment or licensing purposes. 

Some examples where an FBI FD-258 Ink Card may be required for Out-Of-State licensing or background check:

• Employment 
• Licensing
• Security Clearance 
• Gun Purchase

With three years plus experience Rolling Digital & Ink Fingerprints,  Luna Live Scan + Notary has a proven record of low rejection rates.

The cost for an FBI FD-258 Ink Card (cards are provided) and rolling fee is $30.00, or two cards and rolling fee for $50.00. The price to purchase a card only without the rolling fee is $5.00.

Q: How can I get a conviction or arrest off of my Live Scan?

A: You can request your own Live Scan through Moonlight Mobile Notary by filling out an application and paying the applicable fee. The report that you will receive will include your entire California criminal history from the Department of Justice. To remove a conviction from a Live Scan background check you must receive an expungement, pardon, or record sealing. Expungement in California does not remove a conviction from your record but instead changes the conviction to a dismissal.

Q: Are you licensed and bonded?

A: I am licensed and bonded.

My commission (license) expires 1/31/2027

Q: What are the government Live Scan Fees?

A: Follow this link to a PDF of State of California Live Scan Fees: APPLICANT FINGERPRINT PROCESSING FEES

Q: Do you come to my city?

A: I will travel to you, whether it's your place of business, hospital, school, home, or other meeting place. Based out of San Marcos, California, Moonlight Mobile Notary serves north San Diego County (within 30 miles [one way] of San Marcos, CA), which includes these cities. 

• Bonsall
• Carlsbad
• Del Mar
• Elfin Forest
• Encinitas
• Escondido
• Fairbanks Ranch
• Fallbrook
• Hidden Meadows
• La Costa
• Leucadia
• Oceanside
• Olivenhain
• Poway
• Rancho Bernardo
• Rancho Santa Fe
• San Marcos
• Solana Beach
• Vista
• Vista Jail

Q: What if there is a problem with the notarization?

A: I take pride in my work, so if the documents are not notarized correctly the first time, I will fix the situation as soon as possible and the return trip is free of charge. 

Q: Is there an extra fee to come to me?

A: In addition to the fee(s) for services (notary, Live Scan, etc.), there is a travel fee, based on where we meet.

Notary Travel Fees

I serve the North San Diego County Cities of:

• Bonsall: $35.00 - 45.00
• Carlsbad: $40.00
• Carmel Valley: $55.00
• Del Mar: $60.00
• Escondido: $35.00 - $55.00 (Depends on area of Escondido)
• Elfin Forest: $45.00 - $60.00
• Encinitas: $45.00
• Fairbanks Ranch: $65.00
• Fallbrook: $60.00
• Hidden Meadows: $50.00 - $60.00
• La Costa: $45.00
• La Jolla $65.00
• Leucadia: $50.00
• Oceanside: $35.00
• Olivenhain: $55.00 to $65.00
• Penasquitos: $50.00
• Poway: $55.00
• Rancho Bernardo: $45.00 - $55.00
• Rancho Santa Fe: $65.00 - $75.00
• San Marcos: $20.00
• Scripps Ranch: $55.00
• Solana Beach: $55.00
• Sorrento Valley: $60.00
• Valley Center: $55.00 - $70.00
• Vista: $35.00 - $55.00 (Depends on area of Vista)

Hospital or Medical Office

• Kaiser: $55.00
• Palomar Medical Center: $60.00
• Tri-City Hospital: $60.00

Vista Detention Center or Court

• Vista Detention Center $95 (includes travel and 2 notarized signatures), $15 each additional notarized signature
• Vista Family Court – Elisor Signing $95 (includes travel and 2 notarized signatures), $15 each additional notarized signature

Travel fee discounted with six or more notarized signatures.

Live Scan Travel Fees

• North San Diego County (any city listed above): $75.00
• Groups of 10 or more Live Scans eligible for a discounted travel fee.

I offer Courier Service from signing location to San Diego County Recorder (Record Deed) or other North County destination.

Courier documents within 150 miles of zip code 92069 or 92054 - Call for Price and will require 2-day notice.

Q: What kind of documents do you process?

A:  I have specialized training in loan document signing and multiple certifications, as well as extensive experience with notarizing power of attorney, advanced health care directives, jurat, last will and testament prepared by an attorney, and acknowledgements as required by law. My notary services include, but are not limited to, notarizing signatures on the following types of documents.

• Estate Documents
• Grant Deed
• Trust Certification
• Living Will (Health Care Directive)
• Power of Attorney
• HIPAA
• Grant Deed transfer to Trust 
• Will (In CA a Will usually requires two witnesses, no notary)
• Loan Documents

• Buyer Home Loan
• Commercial Property Loan
• Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
• Investment of Property
• Refinance
• Reverse Home Mortgage
• Seller Home Documents
• Affidavits

• Affidavit of Consent for Children Traveling Abroad
• Bill of Sale

• California Copy Certification of Power of Attorney
• California Jurat with Affiant Statement
• California Durable Power of Attorney
• Copy Certification by Document Custodian
• Deed of Trust

• Domestic Partner Registry
• Request for Birth Certificate

• Request for DMV Documents

• Judgements

• Lien Releases

• Written Consent for Minor Visitation (Prison or Jail)
• Other documents are notarized as requested


Q: What are your fees?

A: My fees are:

• $30.00 Live Scan Rolling Fee*
• $30.00 FD-258 Fingerprint Card or $50.00 for Two Cards (includes Rolling Fee)
• $15.00 per Notarize Signature
• $90.00 Vista Detention Center (Includes Travel and Notarization)
• $75.00 Vista Family Court – Elisor Signing (Includes Travel and Notarization)
• Courier Documents – Call for Quote
• Apostille – Request a Quote

* Live Scan applicants may also be required to pay processing fees for the DOJ and/or FBI to run the criminal history report. 

Q: How do you protect my personal information?

A: Rest assured, your privacy and personal information are our top priority. We securely shred all waste paperwork using Proshred Security, whose shredding process complies with ISO 9001 and NAID AAA standards and requirements. They provide us with a Certificate of Destruction, which documents and confirms that your paperwork was properly shredded and destroyed.