1. California Has Specific Requirements
Although we are local and known many of our clients in the Monterey area, even if we know you, state law prohibits using personal knowledge to identify you for your notary signature. California law requires that you must be identified through one of the identification documents or other methods listed in California Code 1185[b].
A. A California driver’s license or nondriver’s ID
B. A U.S. passport (or passport card)
C. 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
D. A driver’s license or official nondriver’s ID issued by a U.S. state*
E. A Canadian or Mexican driver’s license issued by an appropriate public agency*
F. A U.S. military ID*
G. A valid foreign passport from the applicant’s country of citizenship*
H. An employee ID issued by an agency or office of the state of California or a California city, county, or city and county*
I. An identification card issued by a federally-recognized tribal government*
J. A valid consular identification document issued by a consulate from the applicant’s country of citizenship that meets specific requirements (call for requirements)*
K. The oath or affirmation of one credible witness personally known to the Notary and identified through statutorily prescribed ID cards or the oath or affirmation of two credible witnesses not personally known to the Notary and identified through statutorily prescribed ID cards
****The following is VERY important…
Even if you have the above, the documents must be current or issued within the past 5 years. This is required by all California Notaries. If the above identification is marked with an asterisk (*), the document must contain an identifying number, the photograph, the signature AND the physical description of the holder. For additional information, please see the “Identification” section of the state’s official Notary Public Handbook.
