Do you need 2 forms of ID for notary services?
Do you need 2 forms of ID for notary services?
What are the requirements for notary services? Do you need 2 forms of ID or can you simply present your driver's license? In this blog post, we'll break down the requirements for notarization and what forms of identification are accepted. Keep reading to learn more!
What are acceptable forms of identification documents?
Notaries are required to verify the names and identifiers for different forms of documents. This helps prevent fraudulent activities that could have otherwise destroyed the legal integrity of notarized documents. How should one prove the document signer's identity? As notary responsibilities include confirming the identity and identification of a signer, providing accurate identifications can be a crucial aspect of document notarizations for financial and legal documents.
With so many documents with our names on them, how are you to know which one is the correct choice to use when getting a document notarized? What if someone doesn't have any acceptable form of identification? Can they use a friend or two as a credible witness?
What is the best form of identification for a notary?
Acceptable forms of identification for notaries
Automatically acceptable forms of identification documents:
Normally a notary public is required to verify all signatures on documents to verify the identity of their signatures. This helps prevent fraudulent activities or other invalidation of notarized documents. In most instances, notarial officials ask the signer to provide identification to confirm identity. A document signer who does not provide a valid acceptable form of identification form can be compelled to cancel services. However, whichever you use, must be valid, meaning non-expired ids. (Set for California, please check for your state laws)
California driver's license
California valid id card issued by the California Department of Vehicles
Other State driver's license
Passport ( US passport and foreign passport)
Driver's license from Mexico
Driver's license from Canada
A US driver's license is well accepted as a valid form of identification in all 50 states. They are also accepted as a valid form of identification for notaries public to verify the identity of individuals. The other forms of identification listed above are also accepted as valid forms of identification in all 50 states, but may not be accepted by a notary public.
Acceptable forms of id cards with appropriate documentation:
Some identifications are accepted by a notary public with conditions. In California, notary publics use the PPSS system to determine if other forms of identification are acceptable. PPSS stands for Photo, Physical Description, Signature, and Serial number. If the id has all four attributes then it can be used as a primary ID for notarized documents. And as stated with the above identifications, they must also be valid ids. Below you will find a list of sets of ids that usually fall into these categories.
Government issued ids
Military ids (Geneva Ids typically will NOT work as primary id)
Citizenship and immigration services paperwork from the embassy
Tribal membership identification document
Not acceptable forms of id:
Other forms of id, no matter how they are created or the information they obtain, cannot be used as a primary form of identification. Depending on the type of notarization you are receiving, you may use some of these as a secondary per the requestor's advice.
Social security cards
Birth certificates
Green cards
Library cards
Legal paperwork
diplomas
Warehouse Grocery Store Cards
Amusement Park Annual Passes
permanent resident card
Identification card without PPSS
Non-Driver's licenses from Canada
Non-Driver's license from Mexico
What if I don't have acceptable identification documents for notary services?
Expired ID exception (CA ONLY)
In California, notaries public can accept expired identification documents as long as they were issued within the last 5 years. This exception is made to help those who may have lost or misplaced their identification documents. As long as the expiration date is not past the 5-year mark, the document will be accepted as a valid form of ID.
How do you get something notarized in California without an ID by a notary public?
If you do not have an acceptable form of identification listed above, a credible witness can be used to verify your identity. A credible witness is someone who has known with personal knowledge the signer for at least one year and can provide sufficient evidence that the person signing is indeed who they claim to be. A credible witness must also present valid identification documents (acceptable ones listed above) and affirm to the notary that they know the signer personally.
Pro Tip
Check that your id matches your documents being notarized
All documents should also be checked thoroughly by the Notary Public before being accepted and Notarized. This includes making sure all information on a document matches up with the information provided by customers as well as verifying signatures against identification cards/documents presented by customers.
Documents needing notarization and id used for verification need to match. If your documents have your full name (first, middle, last) but your identifying document only has your first and last, your notary will not be able to identify you.
Your id can always have more information (ex: Jonathan Joseph Brown) while your documents have less (John Brown, Jonathan Brown, or even JJ Brown), however, if your documents have less (id says John Brown while documents read Jonathan Joseph Brown or JJ Brown) the notary will need to stop the signing. You can at this point either produce a new form of primary id or use a credible witness with personal knowledge as stated before.
The bottom line is to make sure that the identification you present is valid, up-to-date, and accepted by the notary public to provide you with their services. Understanding what forms of ID are acceptable will help reduce any potential issues or delays when getting documents notarized. If you have any questions about an acceptable form of identification, please contact your local notary public for clarification and answers.
FAQ
Can a notary accept an expired ID in California?
Yes, in California, notaries can use an expired ID as long as it was issued within the last 5 years.
What forms of ID can a notary accept in California?
As long as they are valid (nonexpired) a notary in California can accept the following ids for notary services:
California driver's licenses
Other State driver's license
Passports
Driver's license from Mexico
Driver's license from Canada
With exceptions (but also still valid/non-expired) a notary in California can also accept the following ids for notary services:
Government issued ids
Military id (Geneva Ids typically will NOT work as primary id)
Citizenship and immigration services paperwork from the embassy
Tribal membership identification document
What is satisfactory evidence for identifying a signer?
Satisfactory evidence for identifying a signer must include both documentary and non-documentary evidence. Documentary evidence can include signatures on official documents such as driver’s licenses, passports, birth certificates, and other government-issued identification cards. Non-documentary evidence can include verification of the signer’s identity through physical characteristics, such as their appearance, and other information provided by the signer.
Additionally, it is important to compare the signature on the document with any known signature of the signer, such as from a previous document or agreement. It is also important to interview the signer and question them about their identity to ensure that they are who they say they are. Finally, most states require the notary keep a journal where the signer's information will be kept as well as their signature and thumbprint.
What can be notarized in California?
It is a common misconception that notaries notarize documents when actually notaries notarize the identity of the signer and their signature (and sometimes their sworn statement upon penalty of perjury). With this being said, anything can be notarized!