Most notarial acts relate to another person signing or certifying a document. When a notary public performs an act in relation to a document, the document is commonly said to be “notarized.” In fact, a notary public only notarizes the signature of the person who signed the document. However, a notary public cannot notarize his or her own signature or a transaction in which the notary public has a direct financial or beneficial interest. (California Government Code sections 8224 and 8224.1.)