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HomeCivil CodeDiv. 2Pt. 4Ch. 4Art. 3§ 1195 Proof Of Instrument Execution

§ 1195 Proof Of Instrument Execution

Civil Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1195 Proof Of Instrument Execution

This law explains how a document can be proven as signed without a notary acknowledgment, and it sets rules for what kinds of documents need a special notice about notary verification.

Key Takeaways

  • •Proof of a signed document can be done by the signer, a witness, or other witnesses in certain cases.
  • •Some real‑property documents cannot be proven this way and must follow different rules.
  • •Every proof‑of‑execution certificate must have a clear boxed notice that a notary only checks identity, not the document’s truthfulness.

Example

A homeowner wants to prove that they signed a deed to sell their house, but the deed wasn’t notarized. They can use a witness to prove the signature.

Because the deed is a real‑property instrument, the law allows proof by a witness or the person who signed it, but it must include the boxed notice about notary verification.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1195 Proof Of Instrument Execution

(a) Proof of the execution of an instrument, when not acknowledged, may be made by any of the following: (1) By the party executing it, or either of them. (2) By a subscribing witness. (3) By other witnesses, in cases mentioned in Section 1198. (b) (1)  Proof of the execution of a power of attorney, grant deed, mortgage, deed of trust, quitclaim deed, security agreement, or any instrument affecting real property is not permitted pursuant to Section 27287 of the Government Code, though proof of the execution of a trustee’s deed or deed of reconveyance is permitted. (2) Proof of the execution for any instrument requiring a notary public to obtain a thumbprint from the party signing the document in the notary public’s journal is not permitted. (c) Any certificate for proof of execution taken within this state shall include a notice at the top of the certificate for proof of execution in an enclosed box stating: “A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.” This notice shall be legible. (d) The physical format of the boxed notice at the top of the certificate for proof of execution required pursuant to subdivision (e) is an example, for purposes of illustration and not limitation, of the physical format of a boxed notice fulfilling the requirements of subdivision (c). (e) A certificate for proof of execution taken within this state shall be in the following form: _____ A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document. State of California ⎫ ss. _____ County of ⎭ _____ On ____ (date), before me, _____ (name and title of officer), personally appeared ____ (name of subscribing witness), proved to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument, as a witness thereto, on the oath of ____ (name of credible witness), a credible witness who is known to me and provided a satisfactory identifying document. ____ (name of subscribing witness), being by me duly sworn, said that he/she was present and saw/heard ____ (name[s] of principal[s]), the same person(s) described in and whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within or attached instrument in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies) as (a) party(ies) thereto, execute or acknowledge executing the same, and that said affiant subscribed his/her name to the within or attached instrument as a witness at the request of ____ (name[s] of principal[s]). WITNESS my hand and official seal. Signature (Seal) (Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 197, Sec. 2. (SB 1050) Effective January 1, 2015.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

executiondocumentagreementinstrumentclaimconveyancepropertydeed

Related Statutes

  • § 2079.26 Unsolicited Home Purchase Ban
  • § 1205 Pre-Code Instrument Validity
  • § 1803.2 Retail Installment Contract Requirements
  • § 1180 Document Proof Authorization
  • § 1182 Out-Of-State Document Verification

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Civil Code. Section 1195.
View Official Source