Important Information

Requirements

Everything you need to know about ID requirements for your notary appointment

Acceptable Identification

Government-issued identification documents that contain a photo, signature, physical description, and identifying number

Driver's License
Passport
State ID Card
US Military ID
Inmate ID (if in custody)
Employee ID (CA state, county, or city agency)
Tribal ID (federally recognized tribe)

Important Note

  • General Notarizations: California allows expired IDs, only if issued within the last 5 years.
  • Loan Signings: Require two forms of current/valid ID.

If You Don't Have Acceptable ID

Credible witnesses may be used as an alternative

1 Single Witness Option

If the notary personally knows the witness, only one witness is required. The witness must also personally know the signer. The notary must verify the ID of the witness and record their details in the journal.

2 Two Witness Option

If the notary does not personally know the witness, two credible witnesses are required. Both must present valid ID and swear to the same statements under oath.

Oath Content

Witnesses must affirm under penalty of perjury that they:

  • Know the signer personally
  • Confirm the signer lacks acceptable identification
  • Have no financial interest in the document
  • Are not named in the document
  • Has reasonable belief that the circumstances of the signer are such that it would be very difficult or impossible for the signer to obtain another form of identification.

Journal Entry Requirements

The notary must record the witness signature, ID type, issuing agency, and document numbers in the notary journal as per Government Code section 8206.

Restrictions and Limitations

  • Credible witnesses cannot be named in the document or benefit financially from it
  • California does not allow notaries to rely solely on "personal knowledge" without a credible witness or valid ID
  • Some agencies may not accept documents notarized via credible witnesses — verification with the document recipient is recommended before proceeding

Unacceptable Identification

The following documents are NOT acceptable forms of ID

Social Security Card Birth Certificate Marriage Certificate Credit Cards Student IDs Temporary Paper Licenses

Name Matching Rules

The name on the ID must match or exceed the name on the documents

Allowed

ID:

Vicky Arlene Brown

Document:

Vicky A. Brown

ID has more detail than document — this is acceptable

Not Allowed

ID:

Vicky A. Brown

Document:

Vicky Arlene Brown

ID has less detail than document — this is NOT acceptable

Tip: The ID can have more more detail -- not less.

Questions About Your ID?

Contact us before your appointment if you have any questions about acceptable identification. We're here to help!

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