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3 facts California Notaries should know for identifying signers

An ID card in the wallet

Updated 9-18-23. Here are important rules Notaries in the Golden State need to remember when verifying a customer’s identity.

1. California does not allow a signer to be identified through personal knowledge

Even if a Notary is personally acquainted with a signer, state law prohibits using personal knowledge to identify document signers. Every signer must be identified through one of the identification documents or other methods listed in California Code 1185[b].

A. A California driver’s license or nondriver’s ID

B. A U.S. passport (or passport card)

C. An inmate identification card issued by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation if the inmate is in prison or any form of inmate identification issued by a sheriff’s department if the inmate is in custody in a local detention facility

D. A driver’s license or official nondriver’s ID issued by a U.S. state*

E. A Canadian or Mexican driver’s license issued by an appropriate public agency*

F. A U.S. military ID*

G. A valid foreign passport from the applicant’s country of citizenship*

H. An employee ID issued by an agency or office of the state of California or a California city, county, or city and county*

I. An identification card issued by a federally-recognized tribal government*

J. A valid consular identification document issued by a consulate from the applicant’s country of citizenship that meets specific requirements (see #3 below)*

K. The oath or affirmation of one credible witness personally known to the Notary and identified through statutorily prescribed ID cards or the oath or affirmation of two credible witnesses not personally known to the Notary and identified through statutorily prescribed ID cards

All of the identification documents listed above must be current or issued within the past 5 years in order to be accepted by California Notaries. IDs listed above marked with an asterisk (*) must also contain an identifying number and the photograph, signature and physical description of the bearer. For additional information, please see the “Identification” section of the state’s official Notary Public Handbook.

2. California Notaries must identify signers for jurats and acknowledgments

Even though it’s a standard of professional practice, many states do not require signers to present proof of identity for jurats — but California does. Just like acknowledgments, a signer requesting a jurat must be identified using one of the forms of identification in California Code 1185[b] as described above.

3. Not all consular IDs are acceptable

California Notaries may accept ID cards issued by foreign consulates as proof of a signer’s identity — but there are some restrictions. 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. It’s important to note that the “matricula consular” IDs issued by Mexican consulates do not meet these requirements and cannot be accepted as satisfactory evidence of a signer’s identity in California.

David Thun is the Assistant Managing Editor with the National Notary Association.

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76 Comments

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Tania McCash

25 Nov 2024

Where can I get more information on the notarial protest process? Is that something that the NNA provides?

National Notary Association

02 Dec 2024

Hello. Under Assembly Bill 75 that went into effect in 2012, only certain Notaries employed by a financial institution are authorized to perform protests in California. Please see here for more information: https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/news/law-updates/ca-assembly-bill-75

avera@keystonepacific.com

13 Sep 2024

Does the 5 year issue date apply to all state drivers license and nondriver IDs?

National Notary Association

16 Sep 2024

Hello. Yes, California requires any driver's license or nondriver's ID issued in CA or other U.S. states must be current or issued within the past 5 years in order to be accepted as identification by a California Notary (CC 1185[b])

Tina State

26 May 2024

NNA, On 12 March 2024 in response to Suzan Dianne Green’s question above, you stated “You cannot notarize the son's signature unless the son appears in person before you within the borders of California.” This is an incomplete answer, depending on the specific situation. According to the CA SOS notary handbook, it may be possible to attach a Proof of Execution by a Subscribing Witness certificate to the document, if the father witnessed the son sign the document, or witnessed the son state in his presence that he signed the document, and the document is not requiring a jurat or of the type that would require a notary to collect a fingerprint under CA notarial law.

Shea

13 Mar 2024

Can a CA notary accept a picture on their phone of the signer's Driver's License?

National Notary Association

09 Apr 2024

No, a Notary can only accept the actual identification card. Photos and copies cannot be accepted for the purposes of notarization.

Suzan Dianne Green

12 Mar 2024

Hello! An employee of the firm where I work and am the notary requested notarization on his son's applicaion to replace the sons Driver License. The son is in Mexico . Can I do this and what ID does he need? Thank you

National Notary Association

14 Mar 2024

Hello. You cannot notarize the son's signature unless the son appears in person before you within the borders of California.

Melissa Terrell

27 Feb 2024

Actually, this is a question not a comment, but I’m hoping someone will answer it. Isn’t it against the law for a notary public to certify the signature of a relative? I am about to report that a notary public knowingly certified the signature of her son, as that of her deceased husband on a power of attorney. she tried to use that documentation to change the title on her deceased husband’s property to the name of her son. This was prevented because there was a title lock on the property, but I wonder what other crimes she has committed regarding this particular forgery

National Notary Association

29 Feb 2024

Hello. To help us answer your question, can you please confirm if you are located in California or a different state?

Billie Stephen

20 Oct 2023

I am Canadian. I have never been to LA or had a passport. My Mother with her friend, whose a Notary on LA, put through a Notarized document taking ownership of MY home here in Canada. I've never met this woman. Once I had found out who this woman was. I did call her and told her what's she's doing is fraud. She threatened my Mother and my Mother threatened me. But it was still put through. The Notary was never ever given ID or anything. My Mother fraudulently stole ownership of my home. The stress has caused me severe medical issues and seizures. My children and I were thrown out onto the streets by a bailiff here in Canada. I don't know what I'm to do? This is fraud. Who do I contact in LA?

National Notary Association

26 Oct 2023

Hello. To report an incident of real estate fraud in Los Angeles, you should contact the Los Angeles Police Department or the Los Angeles District Attorney's office. If you wish to file a fraud complaint against a Notary, you can find instructions to submit a form through the CA Secretary of State's website here: https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/file-complaint

Jorje Macias

02 Oct 2023

The new high security Mexican Consular ID’s are now eligible for CA notaries to use as ID for signers.

National Notary Association

23 Feb 2024

Yes, as long as the card meets all of the following requirements: 1. Photo of signer 2. Signature of signer 3. Identifying number 4. Physical description of the signer 5. The ID is current or issued in the last 5 years

Loreta

18 Jul 2023

Identification, besides the physical description, the signature must be a match or be very similar to the ID signature. I've had signers say they were forced to sign their full name, instead of their signature as on their ID. I always tell signers to sign their full name, if the signature on the ID is their full signature for that name, then that's fine. Finding that a few lenders are requiring signers to sign their full name, I tell signers I will not force you to sign different than what is on their ID, if they signed different, I would question, why are they signing a totally different signature. Exceptions made for signature by mark due to medical condition or illness where witnesses would be required. Signers have told me that their bank calls them because the signature on file does not match the authorization they received. Banks think it's fraud when the signature does not match their records.

Catherine

30 May 2023

What if you happen to come across someone who says they are a notary (not new) but not listed on most current the california public listing? What does that mean?

National Notary Association

05 Jun 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.

April S.

26 May 2023

Are California notaries allowed to make a photocopy of a license or ID a customer has presented before notarizing their marriage documents? A notary made a copy only of the bride to be valid drivers license she presented, but not the grooms license or she was going to refuse to notarize.

National Notary Association

30 May 2023

Hello. California Notaries are not required to obtain photocopies of a signer's ID for a notarization. In fact, doing so may be a potential breach of the signer's privacy.

Cher

15 Oct 2022

What if I have nothing except a university student ID with a photo to identify myself? What am I supposed to do then? Because I'm trying to get ID but I can't get ID without a birth certificate but I don't have my birth certificate and in order to get it, I need to have a sworn statement notarized. All I have is my student ID, and my SSN memorized. But no SSN card.

National Notary Association

17 Oct 2022

Hello. In California, if a signer does not have an acceptable form of identification, an alternative is to bring two credible witnesses who know you personally and can have satisfactory proof of identity for themselves that they can present to the Notary. The credible witnesses can then vouch for your identity during the notarization.

Terri Epino

08 Aug 2022

I actually saw two different US Passports today and they both had the owners signatures on them.

Yolanda Martinez

31 Jan 2022

Can you please send me documentation or show me where I can find confirmation from the state of California regarding notarizing a document or documents for someone who's name is showing Andreas on ID but documents showing Andy and or name on ID showing Max but documents showing Maximiliano. I need supporting documents that a Notary can notarize these documents based on satisfactory evidence no matter how the name is showing on id vs document.

National Notary Association

04 Feb 2022

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.

Navneet kaur

27 Jan 2022

Hi can we use a foreign driver license as a identification?from Scotland or Hong Kong?

National Notary Association

28 Jan 2022

Hello. No, California Notaries may only accept a foreign driver's license issued in Canada or Mexico by an appropriate agency. Please see the list of acceptable forms of ID in the article above for more information.

Martha Espinosa

09 Aug 2021

Can an inmate held at an immigration facility be identified through an ID (picture and jail ID # included) issued by that immigration facility?

National Notary Association

12 Aug 2021

Hello. In California, the ID would be acceptable only if the ID card was issued by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation if the inmate is in prison, or if the inmate identification issued by a sheriff’s department if the inmate is in custody in a local detention facility, and the ID is current or issued within the past 5 years.

Alan Albert Toy

05 Aug 2021

Does a california temporary paper driver license count as a form of ID?

National Notary Association

05 Aug 2021

Hello. No, please see these two articles for more information: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2019/07/can-notaries-accept-learners-permit-id https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2017/04/3-facts-california-notaries-identifying-signers

Helene

09 Mar 2021

Commission in Ca. Signer has expired ID’s but iss is 10/2015. Can I still use? Is that within 5 years? The identification that she use that valid are senior citizen and Alien card( green card with photo picture) Can I use those two item too? Thank you

National Notary Association

10 Mar 2021

Hello. The senior citizen card and green card are not on the statutory list of acceptable signer IDs for notarizations in California. On July 13, 2020, the California DMV issued a press release stating that noncommercial driver's licenses for CA license holders age 70 and older scheduled to expire between March 2020 and December 31, 2020 would be extended 1 year from the original expiration date. However, this does not apply to driver's licenses issued to persons ages 69 and younger. Please see here for details: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/dmv-encourages-renewing-license-online-expands-eligibility/

Cristina

17 Feb 2021

With the pandemic people have had a difficult time renewing their driver license here in CA. If they present their expired license (issued over 5 years ago) along with their DMV receipt of renewal, is that acceptable?

National Notary Association

05 Mar 2021

Hello. No, the signer cannot be identified using a non-compliant ID and a renewal receipt. The signer would have to provide an alternate form of acceptable identification.

Daniel Downing

16 Feb 2021

Talked to the SOS regarding service persons & expired driver's licenses: As notaries we can only rely on what's in the handbook and that is law. This means we CAN NOT use an expired driver's license (issued > 5 year ago) together with the military id (the new ones are not valid because of a missing description) BUT can only rely upon what is printed on the expired driver's license. Unfortunately this puts many service members in a bad way, we can not notarize their documents even though they can use their expired driver's license and drive in California.

Daniel Downing

15 Feb 2021

Expired driver's licenses of active duty military members and their spouses are acceptable IF their state allows it & for some only if they are outside their home state or have just returned for a period of X days. Currently only 50% of the states allow this. California is one of them, but that only applies to it's service members while in other states.

National Notary Association

16 Feb 2021

Hello. As stated in the article above, any of the types of signer ID acceptable for a CA notarization must be current or issued within the past 5 years. CA Notaries may not accept an expired ID that was issued more than 5 years prior.

Kathy

08 Feb 2021

Hello, this might be off topic, but I would love to know as a signing agent how do you handle the preliminary change of ownership report? Most people have a ton of questions. What is the best practice to handle this?

Kathy

08 Feb 2021

Hello, can a notary only choose to be a loan signing agent and turn down the general public (friends) to do other types of notary activities? I am in CA.

National Notary Association

08 Feb 2021

Hello. Yes, a Notary may choose to specialize in loan signing assignments.

Cathy Cartwright

31 Mar 2020

A customer came to see me today to have an oath administered and notarized for his own notary renewal process. The name on the document was more than what was on his ID so I told him I wouldn't be able to do it. He showed me a Certificate of Naturalization and an expired foreign passport. Told him I still can't do it, the first not being acceptable and the second more than 5 years since the issue date. He argued with me that I was wrong and that he was taught by the National Notary Association that I could do what he asked with the ID's he had. I was waiting for him to bring up the third "form of ID" being two credible witnesses but he did not. He was very rude, insistent and totally wrong in his assumptions. I told him I would not jeopardize my commission for anyone and to come back when he had an acceptable ID. I have to say I was shocked at the fact that a notary such as himself would have the audacity to tell another one how to do their job when he was totally clueless.

Rob

20 Jan 2020

1.C ... Identification issued by a sheriffs department; Mini Notaries are under the impression that this is an acceptable form of identification however what they fail to realize is that identification must fulfill the criteria as if it were any other identification card if it doesn’t have everything you need to identify the individual it’s unacceptable.many notaries are under the impression that this is an acceptable form of identification however what they fail to realize is that identification must fulfill the criteria as if it were any other identification card if it doesn’t have everything you need to identify the individual it’s unacceptable We have 58 counties in California and all of them have the same jail identification meeting the correct criteria

Tamara Whitehouse

21 Oct 2019

The requirements say that there has to be a description of the bearer. Passports and Military ID's do not have a description on them. Also, the description is not verified so I am not sure how it is relevant. I have never had anyone measure my height, my weight, or verify my eye color for an ID.

James Davis

21 Oct 2019

Hello. On Hello.in an August 8th response, you said, "[n]o, California Notaries may not certify copies of birth certificates." But couldn't the notary use the form "Copy Certification by Document Custodian?" Thank you.

National Notary Association

21 Oct 2019

Hello. If a signer asked a California Notary for an acknowledgment or jurat for the signer's signature on a statement attesting the accuracy of a copy, the Notary could perform the requested act. However, the Notary should not suggest this option to the signer, as suggesting what notarial act to use could be considered the unauthorized practice of law.

Robin John Rutt

21 Oct 2019

BEATRIZ26 Sep 2019 someone that I know needs to get a copy of his birth certificate (to get a state ID) but does not have a state ID to notarize the application. He recently was released from prison; he does have a CDCR Inmate ID, can he use it as a valid ID just for notary purpose? National Notary Association27 Sep 2019 Hello. No, not if the signer is no longer in custodY *no longer in Cdc/state “PRISON”*

National Notary Association

21 Oct 2019

Hello. No, an inmate ID cannot be accepted as proof of signer ID for a notarization by a California Notary unless the inmate is in custody.

BEATRIZ

26 Sep 2019

someone that I know needs to get a copy of his birth certificate (to get a state ID) but does not have a state ID to notarize the application. He recently was released from prison; he does have a CDCR Inmate ID, can he use it as a valid ID just for notary purpose?

National Notary Association

27 Sep 2019

Hello. No, not if the signer is no longer in custody.

Norma

26 Aug 2019

Can you please send me the link or the website where I can verify the states that I want to check for ID requirements? This way I can check on the states that I am interested in knowing. Thank you.

National Notary Association

27 Aug 2019

Hello. Information on each state's Notary laws can be found here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/reference-library/state-law-summaries

Norma

20 Aug 2019

Is there other states in USA that do allow a permanent resident card to be used as acceptable ID?

National Notary Association

23 Aug 2019

Hello. Notary laws regarding acceptable ID vary widely between states. Are you interested in information about particular states?

BLANCA

07 Aug 2019

Does California allow a Notary to notarize a copy of a Birth Certificate written in Spanish, stating that the copy is an exact match of the original Birth Certificate,

National Notary Association

08 Aug 2019

Hello. No, California Notaries may not certify copies of birth certificates.

Galina

03 Jun 2019

Where can I find security clearances notary in Orange County. Please help and advise. Thank you.

National Notary Association

04 Jun 2019

Hello. We apologize, but can you please clarify what you mean by a "security clearances notary?"

angie

01 May 2019

Can an ID receipt from the dmv be used? I lost my ID & am still waiting to receive it but need to get a letter notarized to let my daughter travel. I dont have any other form of Id

National Notary Association

02 May 2019

Hello Angie. If you are located in California, then no, you may not use an ID receipt from the DMV as a form of identification. You can find a list of acceptable forms of signer ID in California here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2017/04/3-facts-california-notaries-identifying-signers. If you lack any other form of ID, another option is to use credible identifying witnesses who know you personally and can vouch for your identity to the Notary. You can find more about credible witness requirements here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2015/10/notary-challenge-how-handle-credible-witness

Jennifer Gutuerrez

04 Mar 2019

On your website under tips and tutorials it shows that a permanent resident card is an acceptable firm of ID. Is it really for California? It wasn’t in the past but not sure if it’s changed recently?

Jennifer Gutuerrez

04 Mar 2019

Hi Jennifer, thank you for bringing this to our attention. We've updated the page to clarify that a permanent resident card is not acceptable in all states.

ash raheja

29 Oct 2018

If someone is unable to sign on a POWER OF ATTORNEY document due to Autism or disease like that , can I use their finger print as signature along with one or two family member as witness ?? Please advise. Thank you.

National Notary Association

30 Oct 2018

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.

Amelia

02 May 2017

Hi, I'm in California and I have a representative from the bank coming to our office to sign over 100 lost titles. Each one needs to be notarized for the DMV. When recording this in my notary book does the representative need to sign my book 100 times as well or is there a way to use a few entries and note that there are almost 100 more just like it?

National Notary Association

04 May 2017

Hello. In the 2017 official state "Notary Newsletter," page 4, the Secretary of State clarifies that every notarial act must have a separate, complete entry in the journal: "By law, as a notary public you are required to chronicle your notarial events each and every time." You can read the full newsletter here: http://notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-newsletter-2017.pdf

Jan Peck

01 May 2017

Rena, it's true that passport cards do not have a signature ... and USA passports do not have a physical description. These two items plus # 3 above are the only exceptions to the law that photograph, description of the person, signature of the person, and an identifying number are required.

Lorraine W Pereverziev

24 Apr 2017

I am having trouble with your comment that the Matricular Consular card from Mexico. According to the State of California "Notary News" issue Jan. 2017, they state "A valid consular identification document issued by a consulate from the applicant’s country of citizenship, or a valid passport from the applicant’s country of citizenship..." (http://notary.cdn.sos.ca.gov/forms/notary-newsletter-2017.pdf) There are no qualifying factors mentioned here. But because I never just "trust" what I read, I called the Secy of State and verified that there are no restrictions for using the "matricula consular" and they confirmed that no such restriction exists. I hope this is helpful information for all who are often asked to use this as a form of identification when no other form exists.

National Notary Association

25 Apr 2017

Hello, Lorraine. California Civil Code Section 1185 states that in order to accept a consular ID as proof of a signer's identity, the ID must include the bearer's photograph, signature, physical description and identifying number. You can find this information on page 8 of the 2017 CA SOS Notary Public Handbook: www.sos.ca.gov/notary/handbook/. You are correct that if a consular ID includes all of these elements, it is acceptable as ID for a notarization. However, the most current information we have is that the specific "matricula consular" card issued by the government of Mexico lacks a physical description of the bearer, and does not meet the requirements of CA Notary law.

Jack Crawford

24 Apr 2017

What about a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)? Is that acceptable in CA?

National Notary Association

25 Apr 2017

Hello. For the purposes of preparing for submission of forms required by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, (and only for such purposes) a CA Notary may also accept for identification any documents or declarations acceptable to the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. (CA Government Code, section 8230, also see page 39 of the CA Secretary of State's 2017 Notary Public Handbook: http://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/handbook/) A permanent resident card would not be acceptable ID for notarization under any other circumstances.

Jan Peck

24 Apr 2017

This article may lead to a lot of illegal notarizations in California!! Yes, the article refers you to the CA Handbook, but how many will actually GO to the Handbook? Notaries! Items 4 through 10 above are ONLY acceptable as California Identification IF they ALSO contain the following: photograph, description of the person, signature of the person, and an identifying number. Many new Military IDs, for example, have all the information in a bar code. There is no signature, physical description, etc. And they cannot be used. Please read the actual California Handbook yourself and do not rely on the list above. Also Item 8 above left out employee IDs issued by the STATE of California. This list fails to state that the credible witnesses must also have one of the approved forms of ID.

National Notary Association

24 Apr 2017

Hello Jan. As you mentioned, we included the link the CA Notary Handbook above so that readers who wished to do so can read the full identification provisions for California.

Maryanne Brown

24 Apr 2017

Good Morning - Just checking my email and wanted to read what was new

Rena

24 Apr 2017

The 2017 CA Notary Handbook does not say a passport card maybe used as identification. There is no signature on them.

National Notary Association

24 Apr 2017

Hello. The CA Secretary of State's office previously said that CA Notaries may accept passport cards as identification. For more information, please see here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2010/03/new-passport-cards-accepted-id

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