What Identification Is Acceptable for
Notarizations?
California stipulates exactly
what types of identification a Notary Public may use to identify a
signer. Effective January 1, 2008, a Notary may rely on any of the following
as ACCEPTABLE identification (Civil Code
§1185):
 |
U.S. Passport |
|
Foreign Passport stamped by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS). |
|
California Driver's License or one issued in another State. |
|
Canadian or Mexican Driver's License. |
|
California Identification Card or one issued by another State. |
|
Identification Card issued by any branch of the Armed Forces of the United
States (the Common Access Card - CAC - is not acceptable). |
|
Inmate Identification Card (if the inmate is in custody). |
What Information Does My
Identification Have To Include?
All identifying documents MUST
include or comply with the following information:
|
Current or have been issued within five years. |
|
Contain a photograph. |
|
Contain a physical description of the person named. |
|
Canadian or Mexican Driver's License. |
|
Must have a serial or other identifying number. |
|
If it is a foreign passport, it must be stamped by the United States
Immigration and Naturalization Service (USCIS). |
What Identification Is Unacceptable For
Notarizations?
The ONLY forms of identification listed in Civil Code §1185
are acceptable in California. Some of the commonly presented, but
UNACCEPTABLE forms of identification are as
follows:
|
U.S. Military Common Access Card (this does not contain the bearer's
signature) |
|
Matricula Consular Card |
|
Permanent Resident and Border Crossing Cards (Green Card) |
|
Social Security Cards |
|
Credit Cards with or without Photographs |
|
Temporary Driver's License |
|
Driver's License without Photograph |
|
Marriage License |
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565 Silver Shadow Drive, San Marcos, CA. 92078