What ID do I need to have my signature notarized in California?
Please refer to (Civil Code section 1185(b)(3) and (4)) for ID requirements.
To have your signature notarized in California, you must present a photo ID. It is important to note that only original documents are accepted; copies or photos are not allowed.
What types of IDs can a notary accept?
California notaries can accept various types of IDs. All IDs must be current (not expired) or issued within the last 5 years. The following IDs are acceptable:
1. CA Driver License/ CA State ID
2. US Passport/Passport Card
3. 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
Additional types of IDs are also accepted but have additional requirements. These IDs must include a photograph of the signer, signature of the signer, physical description of the signer (gender, height, weight, eye color, etc.), and an identification number. The accepted IDs are:
1. Driver’s license/ State ID from another US state
2. Canadian or Mexican driver’s license issued by an appropriate public agency
3. U.S. military ID (Note: Some military IDs do not contain the 4 requirements listed above and cannot be accepted.)
4. Foreign Passport
5. An employee ID issued by an agency or office of a California city, county, or city and county
6. ID card issued by a federally recognized tribal government
7. A valid consular identification document issued by a consulate from the applicant’s country of citizenship. (Note: Matricula consular cards issued by the government of Mexico do not meet California's statutory requirements.)
*If a signer does not have a photo ID, they can use 2 credible witnesses. Please see our credible witness blog post for more information.
What if my ID doesn’t exactly match the name in the document?
Dealing with name discrepancies can be tricky as there are no specific statutes in California notary law that provide instructions on how to handle such situations. However, the law uses the term "reasonable reliance," which means that the notary must determine whether they reasonably believe the person is who they claim to be. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and each notary may handle it differently.
As a general rule, the ID can have more names than the document but not fewer. For example, if the ID reads "Jane Elizabeth Doe" and the document reads "Jane Doe" or "Jane E Doe” it is acceptable because we can reasonably rely on the ID to establish that Jane Elizabeth Doe is the same as Jane E Doe and Jane Doe. This also applies to suffixes (Jr., Sr., or IV), hyphenated last names (Doe-Smith), and nicknames (Rich and Richard).
However, if the names on the ID and the document do not match at all, such as in the case of a name change due to marriage or divorce, it is not acceptable. The notarization would need to be paused until the document can be updated to reflect the correct name, or the person can update their ID to match the name on the document.
It is best practice to ensure that your name on the document matches your ID exactly that way, you can avoid any potential hiccups! Just think about it, when you fly, you're required to have your name on the plane ticket match your ID, right? Well, the same goes for borrowing money, buying a house, or appointing a power of attorney. It just makes sense to keep things consistent!
Remember, notaries have some leeway in these situations. Different notaries may have different preferences when it comes to accepting IDs, so keep that in mind.
How many IDs do I need to show the notary?
In California, you only need to present one ID to get your documents notarized. However, if the notary can't confidently rely on that ID as satisfactory evidence, they might ask you for additional IDs. For example, if the names don't match up or you don't quite resemble your photo or the presumed age based on your date of birth seems off, they might want to see another ID just to be sure.
Now, when it comes to loan packages, some lenders might require you to show two IDs to comply with the US Patriot Act.
To play it safe, it's always best to bring along two forms of ID when you go for a mobile notary appointment.