Mobile Notary at Men’s Central Jail (MCJ) in Los Angeles
When someone at Men’s Central Jail needs documents notarized urgently, we travel to the facility in downtown Los Angeles so inmates can sign powers of attorney, real estate paperwork, court documents, and other legal forms without waiting until release.
About Men’s Central Jail
Men’s Central Jail (MCJ) is the largest jail facility in Los Angeles County and one of the largest in the United States. Located in downtown Los Angeles near Union Station, MCJ houses thousands of male inmates awaiting trial or serving shorter sentences.
- Address: 441 Bauchet Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
- Main lobby: (213) 974‑4082
- Watch commander: (213) 974‑4916
- Inmate information: (213) 473‑6100
- Operated by: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
- Capacity: Approximately 5,640 inmates
- Professional visiting hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Saturday–Sunday 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Parking: Visitor parking structure available for $8.00 per entry
Why inmates at MCJ need notary services
- Time-sensitive legal matters — Court deadlines, property transactions, and family emergencies do not wait for someone’s release date.
- Power of attorney — Authorizing a spouse, family member, or attorney to handle finances, property, or legal matters while in custody.
- Real estate transactions — Signing deeds, refinancing documents, or property transfers that cannot be delayed.
- Family law documents — Divorce paperwork, custody agreements, and child support modifications that require both parties’ signatures.
Common Documents for Men’s Central Jail Inmates
Powers of attorney & authorizations
- General power of attorney
- Limited or special power of attorney
- Durable power of attorney for finances
- Healthcare power of attorney / advance directive
- DMV power of attorney for vehicle transfers
- Bank and financial institution authorizations
Real estate documents
- Grant deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Refinancing and loan modification paperwork
- Property sale and escrow documents
- Lease agreements and rental authorizations
Court & legal documents
- Declarations and affidavits
- Divorce responses and stipulations
- Child custody and visitation agreements
- Probate and estate documents
- Civil case filings and responses
Other documents
- Vehicle title transfers
- Business authorizations and resolutions
- Immigration-related affidavits
- Insurance claims and benefit forms
- Any document requiring a notarized signature
Scheduling a Notary Appointment at Men’s Central Jail
1. Contact us with the inmate’s information
Call or text with the inmate’s full legal name, booking number (if known), and a description of the documents that need to be notarized. Let us know your deadline so we can prioritize scheduling.
2. We coordinate with MCJ
Men’s Central Jail has specific procedures for professional visits. We confirm visiting hours, any advance scheduling requirements, and ensure the inmate is available and housed at MCJ (not temporarily transferred for court or medical reasons).
3. Prepare your documents
Have all documents ready and complete before the appointment — we cannot draft legal documents, only notarize signatures. If the inmate needs to review documents first, coordinate with their attorney or use the facility’s mail system to get documents to them in advance.
4. The notary appointment
We arrive at MCJ, clear security screening, and meet with the inmate in the designated professional visiting area. The inmate confirms their identity, signs the documents in our presence, and we complete the notarization with the appropriate certificate.
5. Document delivery
After the appointment, we return the signed and notarized documents to you, your attorney, escrow company, or other designated recipient — by hand delivery in the LA area, courier, or mail depending on your timeline.
Tip: MCJ can be busy, and security screening takes time. Give us as much notice as possible, but we understand jail notarizations are often urgent and will do our best to accommodate same-day or next-day requests.
Men’s Central Jail Notary Fees
Jail notarizations require travel to the facility, coordination with jail staff, security screening, and often significant wait time. Pricing reflects the complexity of working within MCJ’s procedures.
- Men’s Central Jail appointments: Starting at $200
- Price includes travel to MCJ, coordination, wait time, and notarization
- Additional signatures at the same appointment may be added for a reduced fee
- Rush or same-day appointments may have additional fees based on availability
What is included
- Travel to Men’s Central Jail (441 Bauchet St, Los Angeles)
- Coordination with facility procedures
- Security screening and wait time
- Notarization of documents (California notary fees per signature)
- Return of documents to you or your designated recipient
Final pricing depends on the number of documents, any special circumstances, and timing. Call or text for a quote based on your specific situation.
Men’s Central Jail Notary FAQs
How do I find someone’s booking number at MCJ?
You can search the LA County Sheriff’s Inmate Information Center online at app5.lasd.org/iic using the inmate’s name and date of birth. The booking number helps us confirm their location and coordinate the visit.
What if the inmate was just transferred to MCJ?
After a transfer, it can take 24–48 hours for an inmate to be fully processed and available for professional visits. We recommend confirming their status before scheduling if there has been a recent transfer.
Can family members bring the documents to the appointment?
No — professional notary visits are separate from regular family visitation. You will need to get documents to us before the appointment, and we will bring them into the facility. After notarization, we return them to you or your designated recipient.
What ID does the inmate need?
MCJ maintains booking records with photos that can be used for identification purposes. If the inmate has a valid California ID, driver’s license, or passport on file, that can also be used. We confirm ID options before the appointment.
How long does the appointment take?
Plan for 1–2 hours total including travel, security screening, wait time, and the actual signing. The notarization itself is quick, but jail procedures add time. We build this into our scheduling so you know what to expect.
What if the inmate refuses to sign?
A notary cannot force anyone to sign a document. If the inmate refuses or is unable to sign (for example, due to competency concerns), the notarization cannot be completed. You may still be responsible for a trip fee in this situation.
Need notary services at a different facility?
We provide mobile notary services at jails and detention centers throughout Los Angeles County.
Other Facilities
- Century Regional Detention (Lynwood)
- City jails and court holding facilities
Not sure which jail?
Call or text with the inmate’s name and we can help locate them and coordinate the appointment.
For an overview of all jail notary services, visit our LA County Jail Notary hub page.
Call or text to get started
Share the inmate’s name, booking number, and what documents need to be signed, and we will confirm availability and next steps.
When you contact us, it helps to include:
- Inmate’s full legal name and booking number
- Confirmation they are currently housed at Men’s Central Jail
- Type of documents that need to be notarized
- Your deadline or court date
- Who should receive the signed documents after the appointment
We will confirm MCJ visiting procedures, coordinate scheduling, and give you a clear quote before the appointment is finalized.