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National Notary Association
The National Notary Bulletin

Can I Accept A Prison ID?

By NNA Staff on February 17, 2016

NNA Hotline Tip logo

I have been contracted to perform a notarization at a California State Prison. The signer is telling me I can accept his prison ID as proof of his identity. Is this correct? — A.S., California

Yes. Civil Code Section 1185(b)(3) allows a Notary to use an inmate identification card issued by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) as long as the inmate is in custody in a CDCR prison.

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors

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16 Comments

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Cheryl Kaster

22 Feb 2016

In Hawaii, the I.D. we must rely upon (if not personal knowledge or the Credible Witness requirement of chain-of-custody from notary to Credible Witness, to signer) must be government issued, which the Prison I.D. could be considered, with a picture, which it has, and a signature, which the Hawaii prisoner does not have. So at this time, unless we are able to secure a valid form of I.D. from the inmates family or friends, we cannot legally notarize for an inmate. Unfortunately, many notaries either don't know that law or choose to disregard to obey it, often not realizing that doing so is at the risk of losing their commission, not to mention other potential civil or criminal liability for violation HRS 566-C/20. I see the risk of notarization for inmates is that sometimes when they are arrested they may not have any identification on them and the name that winds up on their prison I.D. may be an alias or else their true name but they have no way of proving that so even if the I.D. had a signature it could still be a risky means of identification.

Crystal Sanford-Brown

22 Feb 2016

Excellent observations

DALSTON H HARRISON

01 Mar 2016

Thanks for the informative info, very much appreciated. I have been a Notary 17 years and had a store front for 8 years before I lost it due to my rent going sky high. I am always interested in ways of earning extra income and would love to be contacted by email with that information.

National Notary Association

01 Mar 2016

Hi Dalston. This story has some extra income suggestions: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2014/07/five-ways-to-earn-alternate-income You can check out additional articles in our "Alternate Income Opportunities" section of the Bulletin: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/alternate-income-opportunities

Marcy Collins

28 Jun 2017

So if I just recently got out of prison, I'm in Columbus Ohio, and I don't have a state I'd yet could I use my prison I'd to get something notarized? Thanks

National Notary Association

29 Jun 2017

Hello. The Ohio state Handbook for Notaries Public says that signers should be identified "by examination of a driver’s license or other identification card (preferably one with a picture)." You may wish to contact the Notary in advance to ask if the Notary will accept your prison ID as proof of identity.

evan B

03 Dec 2018

I was wondering if I have a prison ID would I still have to pay for my ID even tho I have a prison id cause someone told me I can get a new id with my prison id for free in ohio

National Notary Association

03 Dec 2018

Hello. We're sorry, but that's not a question related to Notaries or notarization that we can answer. You should probably contact the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles if you have questions how to obtain an ID card.

Abraham Preciado

06 Oct 2020

First off, thank you for your input. Can I get my Social Security Card using my CDCR identification? Also, can I use my CDCR identification to open a bank account? NOTE: I'm on Parole, a partial free man. Thank you for your help and advice, God bless.

National Notary Association

08 Oct 2020

Hello. We're sorry, but those are not questions we are able to answer. You would need to contact the Social Security Administration or the appropriate bank to answer these questions.

Nadirah Croom

09 Oct 2021

Are prison Ids allowed for notarizations in Pennsylvania?

National Notary Association

12 Oct 2021

Hello. 57 Pa.C.S. 307(b) states that a notarial officer has satisfactory evidence of the identity of an individual appearing before the notarial officer if the officer can identify the individual by (1) Documentary identification consisting of a current and unexpired passport, driver’s license or government-issued nondriver identification card, or another form of government identification which is current, contains the signature and photograph of the individual, and is satisfactory to the officer; or (2) by a verification on oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally appearing before the officer and personally known to the officer.

Jennifer English

30 Dec 2021

In 2014, in the state of Florida, could a notary accept a department of corrections card with the newly released inmates doc number on it as a form of identity for the sale of property.

National Notary Association

13 Jan 2022

Current law in Florida indicates that in order to take an inmate ID, the inmate must be in custody. To see if the law was different in 2014, please contact the Florida Secretary of State.

The Bouvinator

30 Jun 2022

You can use your CDCR ID for certain things. Opening a bank account is NOT one of them. Bank accounts must have 2 forms of id. A CDCR ID CAN be used as a secondary form of ID for opening bank accounts. It can also be used at the DMV as the source of ID for getting your drivers license or CA ID. But bank accounts must have 2 forms, a main form and secondary. Notary’s can and should accept CDCR ID’s as stated upon release from CA Prison; “you can use your CDCR ID as your main source/proof of identification. If a business does not accept a CDCR ID you might be out of state. Legal guidelines are said to accept a CDCR ID as sole proof or at least a secondary proof of id. Hope this helps, this is first hand knowledge as I’ve been through it and came out like a new man. Hopefully you all succeed.

National Notary Association

22 Aug 2022

Hello. Notaries may only accept an inmate identification card issued by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation if the signer is an inmate who is in custody in prison. The ID must be current or issues within the past 5 years (CC 1185[b]).

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