Frequently Asked Questions

LEGAL Assistance FAQS:

1. What Is a Paralegal?

A paralegal handles many substantive legal tasks that, while not requiring a law license, are crucial for case preparation and management. They must understand legal principles and procedures to perform their duties effectively, often possessing specialized training or certification.


2. Why hire a paralegal?

-Paralegals cost less than lawyers. 

-Paralegals pay attention to detail when filing documents and communicating with the courts. 

-Paralegals are qualified to do administrative work and substantive legal work. Paralegal training programs teach paralegals to conduct legal research and draft legal and business documents. They are also educated in substantive law, filing procedures, and interviewing clients.

-Paralegals have professional and ethical standards. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) is the leading paralegal association in the US, and it administers the certified paralegal examination.

NALA members and certified paralegals are bound by the Nala code of ethics and professional responsibility, which further requires paralegals to adhere to the bar associations, codes of professional responsibility, and rules of conduct.


3- Why choose AKA Legal Aid?

In a rapidly changing legal landscape, navigating the intricacies of document preparation can be daunting. We are dedicated to simplifying this process at AKA Legal Aid through our legal document assistance services. By harnessing our expertise, you can confidently prepare legal documents without the stress and complexities often accompanying such tasks. Let us be your trusted partner in ensuring accurate and hassle-free document preparation. 


NOTARY PUBLIC FAQS


1. What is a Notary Public?

A Notary Public is an official of integrity appointed by the secretary of state — to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing various official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents. These official acts are called notarizations or notarial acts. Notaries are publicly commissioned as "ministerial" officials, meaning they are expected to follow written rules without exercising significant personal discretion, as would otherwise be the case with a "judicial" official.


2. What does a Notary do?

A Notary's duty is to screen the signers of necessary documents for their true identity, their willingness to sign without duress or intimidation, and their awareness of the document's contents or transaction. Some notarizations also require the Notary to put the signer under oath, declaring under penalty of perjury that the information in a document is true and correct.


3. Why are Notaries and notarizations necessary?

Through notarization, Notaries deter fraud and establish that the signer knows what document they're signing and that they're a willing participant in the transaction.


4. How does a Notary identify a signer?

Generally, a Notary will ask to see a current ID with a photo, physical description, and signature. Acceptable IDs usually include a driver's license or passport.


5. What a Notary is Not?

Unlike Notaries in foreign countries, a US Notary Public is not an attorney, judge, or high-ranking official. A US Notary differs from a Notario Publico, which can confuse immigrants when approaching Notaries. Notaries in the United States should be clear about what they can or cannot do to serve immigrants correctly and avoid issues.


6. What are the acceptable IDs? 

Every signer must be identified through one of the identification documents or other methods listed in California Code 1185[b].

A. A California driver’s license or nondriver’s ID

B. A US passport (or passport card)

C. An inmate identification card issued by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation if the inmate is in prison or any form of inmate identification issued by a sheriff’s department if the inmate is in custody in a local detention facility

D. A driver’s license or official nondriver’s ID issued by a US state*

E. A Canadian or Mexican driver’s license issued by an appropriate public agency*

F. A US military ID*

G. A valid foreign passport from the applicant’s country of citizenship*

H. An employee ID issued by an agency or office of the state of California or a California city, county, or city and county*

I. An identification card issued by a federally-recognized tribal government*

J. A valid consular identification document issued by a consulate from the applicant’s country of citizenship that meets specific requirements (see #3 below)*

K. The oath or affirmation of one credible witness personally known to the Notary and identified through statutorily prescribed ID cards or the oath or affirmation of two credible witnesses not personally known to the Notary and identified through statutorily prescribed ID cards

All identification documents listed above must be current or issued within the past 5 years to be accepted by California Notaries. IDs marked with an asterisk (*) must also contain an identifying number and the bearer's photograph, signature, and physical description. 


7. Not all consular IDs are acceptable

California Notaries may accept ID cards issued by foreign consulates as proof of a signer’s identity — but there are some restrictions. To be accepted, the consular ID must be current or issued in the past 5 years, have a serial or identification number, and contain the bearer's signature, photograph, and description. It’s important to note that the “matricula consular” IDs issued by Mexican consulates do not meet these requirements and cannot be accepted as satisfactory evidence of a signer’s identity in California.


APOSTILLE FAQS


1. What is an Apostille, and what is its purpose?

An Apostille is a certificate that authenticates the signature of a public official on a document for use in another country. An Apostille certifies:

The Apostille does not validate the contents of the document.


2. I have a birth or death certificate issued in California. For which public official's signatures can the California Secretary of State issue an Apostille?

For birth and death certificates, the California Secretary of State can issue an Apostille for the signatures of:

If your birth or death certificate was issued by a city- or county-level agency and has the signature of a Health Officer or County Registrar (e.g., Local Registrar, Registrar of Vital Records) before presenting it to our office for authentication, one of the following may be required:

The public official's signature, name, and title are at the bottom of a birth or death certificate.


3. Can I get an Apostille for a territory within the United States, e.g., Puerto Rico?

No. Apostilles can only be issued for documents outside the United States of America. Accordingly, we do not issue Apostilles for Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, or other American territories or possessions. Generally, the notarial act is sufficient for use in any American territory or possession.


4. Does the California Secretary of State provide notarial services?

No. If notarial services are needed, you should have the document notarized before submitting your Apostille request to the California Secretary of State.


5. Can the California Secretary of State issue an Apostille for a document in a language other than English?

Yes. The California Secretary of State can issue an Apostille if the document is notarized in English. The rest of the document can be in any other language.


6. Does the California Secretary of State provide translation services?

No. The California Secretary of State can issue an Apostille if the document is notarized in English. The rest of the document can be in any other language.


LIVE SCAN FAQs:


1. How Much Does Live Scan Cost?

We charge a rolling fee. We also collect the DOJ fee. The DOJ fee is different for all live scan applications. If you want to know the amount you will pay before coming in,  please text or email us your live scan form.


2. Where Do I Get The Live Scan Form?

The agency requesting the background check will provide you with the live scan forms necessary to complete the live scan. All Live Scan forms must be provided by the agency that wants you to get fingerprinted. 


3. Can I get my Criminal Record From The Department Of Justice?

The Record Review process is a way for California residents to check their criminal background records through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) using Live Scan fingerprints:

The Record Review process is often used to obtain a California Criminal Clearance Certificate. 

You can contact the Record Review Unit at (916) 227-3835 or by mail at the Department of Justice Bureau of Criminal Information & Analysis Record Review Unit, PO Box 903417, Sacramento, CA 94203-4170. 

Click On This Link To Download And Print Form:   Record Review Form 


4. What are the reasons For getting my own FBI background check?


5. Can I get An FBI Background Check?


6. How much does it cost to get An FBI Background Check?

$47 - Includes FBI fee, fingerprinting fee, processing fees, and view/download FBI Authenticated PDF Criminal History Information Record (FBI Report).


7. How Do I Get My FBI Background Check?

Click on this LINK


8. When Do I receive my FBI Background Check?

It Takes A Couple Of Hours To Receive Your Record Electronically.