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Notary tip: Unusual IDs — Acceptable or not?

Updated 7-10-23. Notaries encounter many kinds of identification daily. The most common forms of identification documents encountered are driver's licenses or U.S. passports. However, on occasion, signers may present you with an unfamiliar form of ID. Determining if you can accept unusual identification documents is sometimes challenging, depending on your state law.

Some states have clear acceptance standards for these IDs, but others do not. As a result, Notaries are responsible for knowing what forms of identification are acceptable. Therefore it's very important to know your state's ID requirements.

Here are some types of unusual identification you might encounter as a Notary Public:

Tribal identification cards

Tribal identification cards are issued by most Native American tribes as proof of membership. Tribal ID cards differ slightly from one issuing organization to another. Generally, these ID cards contain the bearer's name, date of birth, enrollment number and expiration date. Some contain a physical description of the bearer.

Many states allow Notaries Public to accept tribal ID cards, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Some states require that the ID be issued by a federally recognized tribe. A regularly updated list of federally recognized tribes is posted on the U.S. Federal register.

Consular identification card

Consular identification cards — sometimes called matricula consular cards — are issued by the embassies and consulates of some foreign governments to their citizens who live in a foreign country. Additionally, these types of identification may be in a foreign language, so care should be taken when accepting a consular ID.

Some states allow you to accept consular IDs. However, there may be restrictions, so pay careful attention to any consular ID you may be presented to verify that it meets your state's requirements.

For example, California permits Notaries to accept consular IDs as long as they contain a photograph, description and signature of the person as well as an identifying number. A Mexican consular ID that lacks a physical description is not acceptable in California.

In Illinois, an ID issued by a consulate is acceptable as long as it contains a photo and signature of the individual. Consequently, a Mexican consular ID would be acceptable.

Travel visa

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who travels to another country must first obtain a travel visa, which is placed in the traveler's passport.

This type of document is not used for identification. Rather, it is used for permission to travel to a certain country. Travel visas rarely list critical identification information such as date of birth, signature, or physical description. As such, a travel visa should not be used to identify a signer.

Global entry card

A Global Entry card is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.

The Global Entry card is technically a travel clearance card. Because it does not contain many critical identification card elements such as physical description or bearer's signature, it would not be acceptable in the states that require IDs to contain these elements. As a standard of professional practice, a Global Entry card should not be used for identifying a signer in states that do not have statutory ID requirements.

International driver's license

An "International Driver's License" (IDL) or "International Driver's Permit" (IDP) is a document that permits a traveler to operate a motor vehicle when visiting a foreign country. For example, if a U.S. citizen wanted to drive a car while visiting France, the prospective tourist could apply for an IDL.

Many con artists in the United States sell fake IDLs and falsely claim they can replace a license or ID issued by a U.S. state. An IDL is not valid in the driver's home country and is not a satisfactory form of ID for notarization. Notaries should never accept any document purported to be an "IDL" as proof of a signer's identity.

School ID

A student identification card is issued by nearly all schools, colleges, and universities. The layout and look of these cards varies greatly from school to school. Additionally, these types of ID cards are issued by both public and private schools.

If your state government only defines the type of acceptable ID as "government-issued ID", carefully examine a school ID card to ensure it is issued by a public school and meets all your state's other identification requirements before accepting it.

Know your state's requirements

The guidelines or requirements for what constitutes an acceptable ID vary greatly from one state to another.

California and Florida, for example, provide a specific list of acceptable IDs. Texas permits Notaries to accept current IDs issued by state or federal agencies that contain a photograph and signature of the signer; current foreign passports also are acceptable for notarizations relating to residential real estate transactions.

Alabama currently provides only general guidance, authorizing a Notary to require a form of identification that is adequate to reasonably ascertain the identity of the signer. Effective September 1, 2023, Alabama Notaries will be required to accept a photo identification issued by a governmental entity or agency.

In states that do not provide rules for acceptable ID, the recommended professional practice is to rely on identification documents issued by state or federal government agencies which contain a photograph, a physical description, and the bearer's signature.

If you have questions about your state's ID requirements for notarizations, you can call the NNA Hotline for further guidance.

John Jacobson is a Notary Consultant with the Information Services team at the National Notary Association and regularly answers questions from Notaries on the NNA Hotline.

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31 Comments

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Jean_R. Theodore

03 Jul 2019

Already have a Public Notary Commission in NJ,. Interested in getting the loan signing- certificate.

Victor Velazquez

22 Jul 2019

How About a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) issues by USCIS. Will that form of ID be acceptable?

National Notary Association

22 Jul 2019

Hello. To help us answer your question, what state are you commissioned in?

L

22 Jul 2019

Your Texas info is not correct - the passport acceptance in real estate transactions refers to using a FOREIGN passport for identification. The foreign passport must be current, must contain a signature, and it may only be used as identification by the signer when notarizing real estate documents. Signed USA passports are acceptable for any notarization in Texas.

Betty

13 Jul 2020

Please check on IL F.O.I.D. card and IL Concealed Carry card. Both require a background check, and Concealed Carry requires training. BOTH are government issyed, contain DOB, issue date and expiration date. Thx.

National Notary Association

14 Jul 2020

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

Phyllis A Denison

26 Jul 2021

I often am called to the So. VA Home for Veterans. More often than not, they no longer have a valid Driver's license nor an AZ DMV photo id card. What they do have is their VA photo ID. And, a family member is also present along with, sometimes the Social Worker. I list the VA Photo ID as my form of verifying their identity as well as listing in my journal the presence of one or more witnesses.

Jane Coleman

29 Jul 2021

When you recommend that the commenter contact your hotline for clarification with their question, can you then publish the outcome? I am interested in the Illinois FOID card response.

Amanda Bennett

30 Jul 2021

The Voters Registration list acceptable identity documents by the state. There is even free training videos.

David V Moore

04 Apr 2022

I am a Notary Pubic in the State of Ohio. What requirements do I have to meet to accept a foreign ID?

National Notary Association

07 Apr 2022

Hello. Ohio does not provide specific guidelines regarding foreign IDs. The Secretary of State's web site says the following: “Ohio Revised Code Section 147.53 requires the notary public to have satisfactory evidence as to the signer’s identity, which means personal knowledge or other evidence of the signer’s identity. A notary public has personal knowledge of the identity of the signer if the signer is personally known to the notary public through dealings sufficient to provide reasonable certainty that the signer has the identity claimed. A notary public may have satisfactory evidence of the signer’s identity by viewing a passport, driver’s license or other government issued photo identification card. Although, a notary public may consider other forms of identification or verification on oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally appearing before the notary public and known to the notary public or whom the notary public can identify by viewing a passport, driver’s license or other government issued photo identification card. A notary public should only proceed with the notarial act upon receipt of satisfactory evidence of the signer’s identity” (website, “Notary Information, Resources and FAQs”).

Vandeventer

11 Apr 2022

When a patient is in the hospital and does not have their driver's license, would a hospital armband ever be acceptable? These would not have a picture ID, but the hospital would have verified their identify when they are admitted.

National Notary Association

11 Apr 2022

Hello. It would depend on your state's identification rules for notarization. If you can tell us what state you are commissioned in, we can provide you with more specific information.

Melanie Garcia

10 May 2022

I am in CA and only notarize for my company, but recently I have considered notarizing for the general public. I would like to know if notaries have experienced more difficulty in identifying signers with the introduction of non-binary gender added to the description on an ID and the increase in identity changes?

quadralis lewis

10 May 2022

How can I get a notary identification card

National Notary Association

18 May 2022

Hello. To help us answer your question, can you please tell us what state you are commissioned in?

Mamie B Richburg

17 Jun 2022

Extremely helpful. Thank you for this great need to know information.

ishyourrealtor@gmail.com

18 Jul 2022

The name of your organization is the NATIONAL....... however, these articles often talk about a handful of states (often the same ones) and never have specific info for many other states, including mine, NY. Why not write articles and have info/links for ALL 50 states, given that your organization is named the NATIONAL....... Thank you.

National Notary Association

18 Jul 2022

Hello. When we write articles on state Notary laws, rules and procedures, we always seek to include relevant information when state laws and regulations address it. However, not every state addresses all Notary related issue in its statutes, so instructions for all 50 states sometimes are not always available for every topic. When possible, we do publish articles that include information resources for all 50 states-for example, please see "A guide to Notary travel fees across the United States" (https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2021/07/notary-travel-fees-across-united-states) and "How to certify a copy of a document" (https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2014/04/how-to-certify-copy-document). Also, the NNA Knowledge Center also includes several sections with information for all 50 states available on different Notary related topics (https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center), including New York. Finally, if you have a state-specific question and cannot find the information in one of our articles, please feel free to post it here in the comments and our Communications team or Hotline Counselors will do our best to assist you. We hope this information helps you find any state-specific information you need on the NNA website.

Jennifer Miller

18 Jul 2022

There are many workers here in Louisiana that are required to go through a lengthy federal background check process every year for TSA, and issued a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). This card has a photo, name, number and expiration date. I've been using it as a secondary form of ID and have had no negative responses. Do you have any info on this?

National Notary Association

22 Jul 2022

The state of Louisiana does not have any laws or guidelines regarding what types of documents can be used for identification of a signer. We do recommend that the ID have a photograph, a serial number, signature of the signer and be satisfactory to the Notary.

Liliana Arreguin

04 May 2023

Hello, In california a Mexican Consular ID contains an address, DOB, signature, picture and number. Are we absolutely not using these anymore?

National Notary Association

09 Jun 2023

Hello. In order to be accepted, the consular ID must be current or issued in the past 5 years; have a serial or identification number; and contain the signature, photograph and description of the bearer. Please see this article for more information: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2017/04/3-facts-california-notaries-identifying-signers

April H

13 Jul 2023

Regarding a foreign notarization (signor is foreign) for Texas residential real estate, is there ever an instance/circumstance where the notarization can occur for a commercial property?

National Notary Association

13 Jul 2023

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

Susan k Cochran

24 Jul 2023

I live in Indiana and rarely read about any specific notary laws related to my state. This fact requires me to call the hotline when there is an issue of concern. In your articles, which I always read, I would like to see at least some information about states, other than Texas, California, etc. I agree with the previous writer that other state notaries need to know about issues. Even if there is nothing notable from my state or other states, one could write that in the article rather than have us wonder. Just a comment!

National Notary Association

24 Jul 2023

Hello, Susan and thank you for your feedback. We try to cover any state that has developing news that affects Notaries, such as this 2020 legislative issue in your state: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2020/06/indiana-law-error-notarizing-real-property-docs. We also have a searchable page with new Notary law developments in all states that you can visit for updates on new Indiana legislation: https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/news/law-updates

Masood khan

24 Jul 2023

Can a Notary notarize any document in all states OR only in his own state Please respond Masood khan

National Notary Association

25 Jul 2023

Hello. It depends on the individual state's jurisdiction rules. If you can tell us what state your are commissioned in or working with a Notary in, we will be happy to provide you with information we have for that state.

Hugo

27 Jul 2023

Is it true that in California we can now accept the temporary printed copy from the DMV so long as they bring their expired ID to match them?

National Notary Association

28 Jul 2023

Hello. We have no information indicating this practice is allowed in California. Can you please tell us where you received this information?

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