General Notary Services

A California notary public can verify a signer’s identity using the acceptable forms of identification listed below. Please note that identification must be current or issued within the past five years. 

The following forms of ID may be accepted:

• 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 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

The following forms of ID may also be accepted provided they include a photograph, a description of the person, signature of the person and identifying number: 

• A valid consular identification document issued by a consulate from the applicant’s country of citizenship
• 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
• An employee identification card issued by an agency or office of the State of California, or by an agency or office of a city and/or county in California
• An identification card issued by a federally recognized tribal government

Additional Acceptable Identification:  Credible Witnesses 

• If a signer does not have one of the acceptable forms of identification listed above, California law may allow the use of credible witnesses as an alternative.
• Two credible witnesses must personally know the signer and be able to vouch for the signer’s identity. Each credible witness must present valid identification, take an oath or affirmation, and sign the notary journal.  
• A credible witness cannot be named in the document and cannot have a financial interest in the document.

Please contact All Access Notary before your appointment if you are unsure whether your identification will be accepted.