Valid ID versus Invalid ID

As a Notary Public, we follow guidance set forth by the California Secretary of State. The California Secretary of State has a list of approved training vendors. The National Notary Association is one of the approved training vendors. According to them, below is a list of acceptable forms of identification:

• State-issued driver's license
• State-issued identification card
• U.S. passport issued by the U.S. Department of State
• U.S. military ID
• State, county and local government IDs
• Permanent resident card, or "green card," issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services*
• Foreign passport*
• Driver's license officially issued in Mexico or Canada*
• Digital driver's license*
• ID deemed acceptable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security*
• Inmate ID issued by the State Department of Corrections or Federal Bureau of Prisons, if the inmate is in state or federal custody*
• Inmate ID issued by a county sheriff, if the inmate is in the custody of the county sheriff*

I just had to turn down a request for a notarization for someone who advised me that their driver license had expired, BUT they had the temporary paper license. An expired driver license is an invalid form of identification. An invalid form of identification paired with a temporary paper license does not equal a valid form of ID.

Additionally, there are senior citizens who no longer drive but a valid form of identification is needed for things like notarizations, purchasing alcohol or traveling. Yes, I did say to purchase alcohol. More and more businesses require ID for people to purchase alcohol regardless of how old they look. It is a really good idea to get a California State ID or ensure you have an unexpired passport if you no longer drive.
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Please keep your driver license, state ID or passport up-to-date. If you are looking to get documents notarized and don't have valid ID, I can do it if you provide two credible witnesses. These are people who know you and are willing to take an oath to swear or affirm that they know you.