A Notary’s guide to spotting fake IDs

An illustration of Jane Does' Driver License

Verifying the identity of signers can be challenging considering how many types of ID are in circulation — and how good many of the fakes are.

In an effort to cut down on ID fraud, most states have significantly improved the security features of the driver’s licenses and identity cards they issue. Here are 4 things Notaries should look for when checking for fake IDs:

Does the physical description on the ID match the signer?
Are there any spelling errors on the ID?
Are there any signs the ID has been tampered with?
Does the ID have state-specific watermarks and security features?

1. Does the physical description on the ID match the signer?

Always be sure to compare the physical description of the signer on the ID to the person in front of you. If the signer is 6’2” but his driver’s license lists him as 5’0”, or a twentysomething signer presents you with a license that said she was born in 1963, then something’s definitely amiss.

2. Are there any spelling errors on the ID?

Spelling errors on an ID card — such as the state name or other information being misspelled on a driver’s license — are a warning sign that the ID is a counterfeit and wasn’t produced by a legitimate agency.

3. Are there any signs that the ID has been tampered with?

If the signer’s photo on the ID seems unusually thick or stands out from the ID, it’s possible a second photo has been pasted or glued on top of the original. Other signs that an ID may have been tampered with are peeling or damaged laminate on the card, or blurry or smeared text.

4. Does the ID have state-specific watermarks and security features?

State-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards often include security features such as holograms or specially printed images as protection against tampering.

David Thun is the Editorial Manager at the National Notary Association.

The 3 ways Notaries can properly identify signers

Is an expired ID acceptable for Notarization?

Additional Resources:

NNA Hotline

Notary Essentials

2024 I.D. Checking Guide

27 Comments

Add your comment

Maria Ramos

24 Oct 2024

Is there a training online that I could do to practice before going for my renewal in California?

National Notary Association

08 Nov 2024

The NNA offers a California Notary Exam Prep Class designed for all new or renewing Notaries who have recently completed their 6-hour or 3-hour California Mandatory Online Training. The 90-minute refresher course covers the toughest topics included on the California Notary Exam, and offers attendees the opportunity for a live Q&A session with an NNA Certified Instructor. (For more information, call 888-896-6827.)

Joanne

22 Oct 2024

Typos cannot always determine that the ID is fake. The CA DMV often misspell names and addresses. It is up to the owner of the ID to verify and approve what has been entered before the driver licenses or ID cards are sent to print but people often overlook the mistakes. If the state name was spelled incorrectly then, yes, that would be a cause for concern.

John Miller

I retired a few years ago from a police agency in Arizona. I was a state-trained and certified Fraudulent Document Recognition Expert. There are fake identifications (state DL's and ID's) that are widely available online (they were formerly available from Chinese companies). For about $300 you can receive two driver licenses from a variety of states (at least 50% of US States), using any name, driver license, birthday, physical description, etc., and which contained ALL of the required state security features. This allowed someone to be ANYONE they wanted to be. Ultimately, the only way for Law Enforcement Officers to confirm the status of an identification was to conduct a records check using law enforcement systems. Eventually, a phone application was developed (and used by me and other Arizona agencies) which issued a "suspicious identification" warning utilizing the 1D or 2D scans on the backs of driver licenses; it was VERY effective. I made many physical arrests of persons using fake identifications using this application. The bottom line: Unless you have the identification confirmed by a Law Enforcement Officer or an admission from the presenter that the ID is fake, you will never know.

Alvaro Bautista

If only there were an APP that could verify ID's from ALL of the 50 states and be better able to detect fakes... That would be great. Yes, I'm a Notary... And I have seen my share of fake ID's

Maria T. Ramos

21 Oct 2024

Can I practice online for the Notary Public renewal test before going to take it in person?

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

Satenik Antonyan

09 Oct 2024

What ID is acceptable for notarization in California

11 Oct 2024

Please see this article for a list: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2017/04/3-facts-california-notaries-identifying-signers

Michelle R. Desrosiers

16 Jun 2024

After my recertification, is there a slow down in doing Notary work. Because I haven't done much signing? Unless people can"t find me?

Please send me any type of NEW Information I find that I need all the information on line . Then I write it all down as I do that I remember more information than and it stays in my head.

Helena

15 Nov 2023

I’m going to be doing a notarization of a Pennsylvania DMV POA, daughter is here in California father is in PA, and needs signed to him it appears to have a witness line and acknowledgement box . 1st question Do I need a witness. 2nd question is it ok to use their acknowledgment and obviously cross out commonwealth of Pennsylvania or should I attach my California acknowledgment .Document is Pennsylvania P O W E R O F AT T O R N E Y TO EXECUTE MOTOR VEHICLE DOCUMENTS

16 Nov 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.

Cynthia

14 Nov 2023

I work for a national car dealership in PA. We deal with fraud a lot. We see fake DL's where the signature looks like it was typed by a font. (No one's handwriting consistently makes a letter the exact same way.) Also the photos look either too big or too small, or too dark or too light to really see the person's face. You can always google How to spot a fake ID in [your state]. The PA liquor control board has good advice and the mnemonic FEAR. F - Feel the ID, E - Examine the ID, A - Ask the bearer about info on the ID and/or for another form of ID to compare, R - Return the ID and refuse it if you are suspicious. (The site goes into more detail but FEAR is a great way to remember what to look for.) Pay attention to the person's attitude as well. I find they are usually in a hurry and bully me to rush. That is a red flag for me that something isn't right.

Amy Collins

13 Nov 2023

As a new notary public student in Pennsylvania, the debate surrounding expired driver's licenses sounds odd. My understanding be that it is unlawful to drive a motor vehicle without a valid license. When an individual drives to the office of a notary public, and then presents him or herself with an expired license, and further expects to obtain a notarized document, I wonder if what they should leave the office with a traffic ticket. Wouldn't it be a dead giveaway that something be amiss? What else might be "expired"? Vehicle registration? Vehicle insurance? Individuals do not just forget to renew their driver's license. Something is behind the lapse.

evert_jones@yahoo.com

newbie here: Is there some place where I can get a black light for verification of such ID's?

Hello. We offer a UV light for sale here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/fraud-fighter-uv-penlight

maireni salgado

Mark Samson #160864924

09 Mar 2021

The new Texas DLs an IDs have raised text for the Name, DL or ID Number. The State Seal on the back ground is laser inscribed giving it a "rough" feel. There is a hologram on the lower right corner of the individual including the DoB. On the obverse side on the bottom left corner is a Texas Blue Bonnet flower that can be scene only with a UV light. There is also a micro print stripe along the center line, running vertical, that has the word "Texas". This stripe is the most background element on the card. This stipe in on both sides of the card. This only be scene by using a magnifier lens. Between the person's Image and words "Driver License" is a laser engraved 'Star' that reflects under normal light and shimmers as the card is rotated.

Rob

21 Aug 2018

Anna Gutierrez when it says not for identification it doesn't mean its a fake the federal government requires certain security features by all states to be classified as what the government calls a "real ID" (its just a classification the feds give for states with all the security features) which all states will be required by 2020 if your state doesn't use real id qualified id s by then you will have to use a passport to board a plain in 2020 but what they gave as identification was most likely good enough for anything at the state level or bellow hope that helps

Dorene

08 Jan 2018

What steps should be taken when presented with a fake ID?

09 Jan 2018

Hello. Obviously, you should not proceed with the notarization if you have reason to believe you have been presented with fake ID. You should record the reason for your refusal in your journal. If you suspect fraud has taken place, you may wish to contact local law enforcement and report it.

Patricia Sarver

03 Jan 2017

Where can I obtain the ID Checking Guide? Thank you Pat

Hi Pat: You can order the ID Checking Guide online here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/2017-id-checking-guide. Happy New Year!

Anna Gutierrez

02 Jan 2017

I'm in California and received a QuitClaim Deed through a signing service for a property in Florida. In Florida, it is required to have 2 witnesses which I requested the signer to bring. At the time of the signing, one of the witnesses had an "Ohio Driver's License" which underneath clearly said "Not to be used for Identification Purposes". This must have been a fake "ID" but it looked real to me. Looking closely at the ID is a must!

R C Leyva

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A Notary’s guide to spotting fake IDs

1. Does the physical description on the ID match the signer?

2. Are there any spelling errors on the ID?

3. Are there any signs that the ID has been tampered with?

4. Does the ID have state-specific watermarks and security features?

Related Articles:

Additional Resources:

27 Comments

Maria Ramos

National Notary Association

Joanne

John Miller

Alvaro Bautista

Maria T. Ramos

National Notary Association

Satenik Antonyan

National Notary Association

Michelle R. Desrosiers

Michelle R. Desrosiers

Helena

National Notary Association

Cynthia

Amy Collins

evert_jones@yahoo.com

National Notary Association

maireni salgado

Mark Samson #160864924

Rob

Dorene

National Notary Association

Patricia Sarver

National Notary Association

Anna Gutierrez

R C Leyva

National Notary Association

Leave a Comment

1. Does the physical description on the ID match the signer?

2. Are there any spelling errors on the ID?

3. Are there any signs that the ID has been tampered with?

4. Does the ID have state-specific watermarks and security features?

Related Articles:

Additional Resources:

Leave a Comment

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