What Identification Is Acceptable for
Notarizations?
California
stipulates exactly what
types of identification a Notary Public may use to identify a
signer. Effective January 1, 2008, a
Notary may rely on any of the following
as ACCEPTABLE
identification (Civil Code
§1185):
 |
U.S. Passport |
|
Foreign Passport stamped by the
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS). |
|
California Driver's License or
one issued in another State. |
|
Canadian or Mexican Driver's
License. |
|
California Identification Card
or one issued by another State. |
|
Identification Card issued by
any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States
(the Common Access Card - CAC - is not
acceptable). |
|
Inmate Identification Card (if
the inmate is in custody). |
What Information Does My
Identification Have To
Include?
All identifying
documents MUST include or comply with the
following information:
|
Current or have been issued
within five years. |
|
Contain a
photograph. |
|
Contain a physical description
of the person named. |
|
Canadian or Mexican Driver's
License. |
|
Must have a serial or other
identifying number. |
|
If it is a foreign passport, it
must be stamped by the United States Immigration
and Naturalization Service (USCIS). |
What Identification Is Unacceptable For
Notarizations?
The ONLY forms of
identification listed in Civil Code §1185 are acceptable in
California. Some of the commonly presented, but
UNACCEPTABLE forms of
identification are as
follows:
|
U.S. Military Common Access
Card (this does not contain the bearer's
signature) |
|
Matricula Consular
Card |
|
Permanent Resident and Border
Crossing Cards (Green Card) |
|
Social Security
Cards |
|
Credit Cards with or without
Photographs |
|
Temporary Driver's
License |
|
Driver's License without
Photograph |
|
Marriage License |
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(Ph) 760.470.0939
600 Hillside Way San
Marcos, CA 92078 (Fx) 760.798.7652