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Valid ID Types For Notary Appointments in California



When it comes to legal matters, having a valid identification document is crucial. This is especially true for notary appointments, as part of our required role as a notary public is to verify the identity of the signers in order to ensure the authenticity of the documents being notarized.


In the state of California, there are a number of documents that are accepted for a notary appointment.


  • An identification card or driver’s license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. It contains a photograph of the individual, as well as their name, current address, date of birth, and other identifying information. A driver's license or state-issued identification card is a valid form of ID for a notary appointment as long as it is current and not expired.


  • A United States passport (or passport card): The U.S. Passport Card is issued by the Department of State of the United States, and as indicated by the U.S. Department of State, the card is a wallet-sized plastic passport that is proof of U.S. citizenship and identity and has the same length of validity as the passport book. As such, we, as a notary public for the state of California, are permitted to accept a U.S. Passport Card as satisfactory evidence of the signer’s identity pursuant to Civil Code section 1185(b)(3)(B).


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

  • A valid passport from the applicant’s country of citizenship: A passport is another acceptable form of identification for a notary appointment. A passport is a government-issued document that contains the individual's photograph, name, date of birth, and other identifying information. It is a widely recognized form of ID, both domestically and internationally. It is important to note that the passport must be current and not expired.


  • A valid consular identification document issued by a consulate from the applicant’s country of citizenship.


  • A valid passport issued from the applicant’s country of citizenship.


  • A driver’s license or identification card issued by a U.S. state.


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


  • A U.S. military ID: A military ID is a government-issued form of identification typically issued to armed service members and their families. This type of ID contains the individual's photograph, name, rank, signature of the person, and an identifying number. A military ID is a valid form of ID for a notary appointment as long as it is current and not expired.


  • An employee ID issued by an agency or office of the state of California or a California city, county, or city and county: In California, some individuals have a state-issued ID card, which serves as a valid form of identification for notary appointments. These cards typically include the individual's photograph, name, address, and date of birth. Like a driver's license or passport, the state-issued ID card must be current and not expired.


  • An identification card issued by a federally recognized tribal government: These IDs typically include the individual's photograph, name, tribal affiliation, the governmental agency issuing the document, the serial or identifying number of the document, and the date of issue or expiration of the document. As with other forms of ID, the tribal ID must be current and not expired.


In all cases, the ID must be unexpired. Always review the document to verify that it is current before scheduling your signing appointment. It is always best to check with us or California's state notary regulations to determine what forms of ID are acceptable for a notary appointment. 


We are happy to answer questions regarding identification prior to your appointment, please give us a call.

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