ID’S

A California notary public can establish a signer’s identity using the following forms of identification. Keep in mind these forms of identification must either be current or have been issued within the past 5 years.

  • An identification card or driver’s license issued by the California  Department of Motor Vehicles

  • A  United States passport

  • An inmate identification card issued by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, if the inmate is in custody in a California state prison

  • Any  form of inmate identification issued by a sheriff’s department, if the inmate is in custody in a local detention facility

A California notary public may also rely on any one of the following forms of identification. These forms of ID must include a photograph, a description of the person, a signature of the person, and an identification.

  • 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

  • A driver’s license issued by another state or by a Canadian or Mexican public agency authorized to issue driver’s licenses

  • An identification card issued by another state

  • A United States military identification card (caution: current military identification cards might not contain all required information)

  • An employee identification card issued by an agency or office of the State of  California, or an agency or office of a city and/or county in California

  • An Identification card issued by a federally recognized tribal government

California Notary Acceptable Identification: Credible witnesses

  • If a signer doesn’t possess one of the forms of identification mentioned on this list there is an additional option to present credible witnesses.

  • Two credible witnesses will need to vouch for the signer. The credible witnesses must personally know the signer. In accordance with California law, these individuals are required to present a valid form of identification, take an oath, and sign the notary journal. A credible witness must neither be named in nor benefit financially from the document being signed.