Frequently asked questions

Q: Where are you located and which areas do you serve?
A: LUCE – The Bright Choice is proudly based in Lucerne, California. We serve all of Lake County with set travel fees depending on the city/town. We also provide services outside of Lake County upon request, with travel quoted individually based on distance and time.

Q: How do I book an appointment?
A: Appointments can be scheduled online through our booking system, by emailing contact@notarybyluce.com, or by calling or texting (707) 485-4702. For notary work, walk-ins are not available—you must schedule in advance to ensure availability.

Q: What are your business hours?
A: Standard business hours are Monday–Friday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. After-hours, weekend, and holiday appointments are available by request, subject to an additional fee.

Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: We accept:

Cash
CashApp
Most major debit/credit cards
(Payment must be made at the time of service unless other arrangements are made in advance.)

Q: Do you offer confidential services?
A: Yes. LUCE takes confidentiality seriously. All services—whether notary, administrative, or small business support—are handled with discretion, professionalism, and respect for your privacy.

Notary Services

Q: What do you charge for notary services?
A: Notarizations are $10 per signature, as allowed by California law. In addition, we charge a travel fee based on your location:

Lucerne – $10
Nice – $15
Upper Lake – $20
Lakeport – $25
Kelseyville – $30
Cobb – $35
Middletown / Hidden Valley Lake – $45
Clearlake – $30
Outside Lake County – Custom quote

Q: What types of documents can you notarize?
A: Examples include:

Power of Attorney documents
Healthcare directives & medical forms
Loan and real estate documents
Trusts, wills, and estate paperwork
School permission slips and forms
Affidavits and sworn statements
DMV forms (requiring notarization)
Business contracts and agreements

Q: What identification do I need?
A: You must present a valid, government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include:

California driver’s license or state ID
U.S. passport
U.S. military ID
Other state-issued driver’s licenses or IDs (must be current and contain a photo, physical description, signature, and serial number)

Q: Can you tell me how to complete my form before notarizing it?
A: No. By law, I am not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice or tell you how to complete your forms. If you are unsure about any part of your document, please seek advice from a licensed attorney before scheduling notarization.

Q: What if my ID is expired?
A: Expired IDs are generally not accepted unless they meet specific California notary requirements (e.g., California driver’s licenses/IDs expired within the last 5 years). Please confirm in advance if you’re unsure.

Q: Can you notarize for someone who doesn’t speak English?
A: The signer must be able to communicate directly with the notary in a common language. If interpretation is needed, notarization cannot proceed.

Administrative Support

Q: What kinds of administrative support do you provide?
A: Services may include:

Tracking appointments, deadlines, and court appearances
Completing and submitting applications (housing, benefits, assistance programs, etc.)
Organizing and digitizing personal records
Acting as a reliable point of contact for individuals without stable phone access
General clerical support (letters, forms, document preparation assistance)

Q: How is pricing determined?
A: Pricing depends on the complexity, urgency, and individual circumstances of the request. We offer three main options:

Ad-hoc tasks – one-time, flat-fee services.
Project-based pricing – for larger or multi-step tasks.
Monthly subscription packages – for ongoing support.

Q: How does the process work?
A: Clients gain access to an online dashboard where:

Requests can be submitted anytime
All communication is logged in one place
Task updates and progress are tracked in real-time
Completed work can be stored for easy access

This ensures transparency, efficiency, and peace of mind.

Q: Do you provide legal or financial advice?
A: No. LUCE can assist with the completion and organization of paperwork, but we cannot provide legal interpretation, legal advice, or financial planning guidance.

Small Business Support

Q: What types of small business services do you offer?
A: Examples include:

Billing and invoicing
Expense tracking and receipt organization
Client intake, scheduling, and follow-up
Workflow and process setup
Recordkeeping and compliance document management
Administrative “catch-up” for businesses that have fallen behind

Q: How are services priced?
A: Small business services are tailored to each client. Options include:

Hourly rate ($35/hr)
Monthly business packages (starting at $325/month)
Custom project quotes for specialized work

Q: How do you protect both you and your business clients?
A: All small business clients sign a service agreement outlining:

Scope of work
Payment terms and deadlines
Mutual expectations
Confidentiality standards

This protects both parties and ensures clear communication.

Q: Do you replace the need for an in-house employee?
A: Not exactly. LUCE provides flexible, on-demand support without the cost of hiring a full-time staff member. Many small businesses use our services to handle essential back-office work without adding payroll burdens.

Q: Can you integrate with my existing business tools?
A: Yes! We work with common platforms like Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, QuickBooks, and other small business software. If you have custom systems, we’ll review them during onboarding.