Required by the State of California (Taken from the Notary Public Handbook)

Streamline the process of getting your documents notarized by being compliant with State laws and provide one of the following identification cards:

1. California Driver’s License or Non-Driver’s ID: Issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), these IDs must be current or issued within the last 5 years.
2. Passport Book or Card: Issued by the U.S. Department of State, these IDs are acceptable as long as they are current or issued within the last 5 years.
3. Foreign Passport Stamped by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service: This ID is acceptable as long as it is current or issued within the last 5 years.
4. Employee ID Card: Issued by an agency of the State of California or any city or county within the state, these IDs must be current or issued within the last 5 years.
5. U.S. Military ID Card: Except for CAC cards, U.S. military ID cards are acceptable as long as they are current or issued within the last 5 years.
6. Inmate ID Card: Issued by the California Department of Corrections, these IDs are acceptable only if the signer is in custody.
7. Consular ID: Issued by a consulate of a foreign government, these IDs must be current or issued within the last 5 years.
8. Driver’s License or Public Agency ID: Issued by another U.S. state, Canadian or Mexican public agency authorized to issue driver’s licenses, these IDs must be current or issued within the last 5 years.

Important Notes:

• All accepted IDs must contain a photograph, a description of the individual, a signature of the individual, and an identifying number.
• Expired IDs are not acceptable, unless they were issued within the last 5 years.
• Notaries cannot rely on personal knowledge or relationships to verify a signer’s identity; only the above-listed IDs are acceptable.

By following these ID requirements, notaries in California can ensure compliance with state law and maintain the integrity of the notarization process.