A Notary Public is presented with a document for an acknowledgment. The signer provides a foreign passport that has been issued by a country other than the United States, which is current and contains a photograph, physical description, and signature. What is the Notary's appropriate action?
- AAccept the passport as satisfactory evidence of identity, provided it meets all statutory requirements.
- BDecline the notarization, as foreign passports are never acceptable forms of identification in California.
- CAccept the passport, but require the signer to sign an affidavit attesting to their identity.
- DAccept the passport only if accompanied by a second, government-issued identification card.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Accept the passport as satisfactory evidence of identity, provided it meets all statutory requirements.
A foreign passport, if current and containing a photograph, physical description, and signature, and if it is stamped by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or an entry stamp, is an acceptable form of satisfactory evidence for identification in California.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This is incorrect; certain foreign passports are acceptable.
- C. An affidavit is not a substitute for proper identification and is not required when satisfactory evidence is presented.
- D. A second ID is not mandated if the primary ID (the foreign passport) meets all the 'satisfactory evidence' requirements.
Foreign Passport ID
A foreign passport, issued by a country other than the U.S., can serve as satisfactory evidence of identity for a California Notary if it is current, contains a photograph, physical description, and signature, and is stamped by USCIS or has an entry stamp.
- Must be current.
- Requires photo, description, signature.
- Must have USCIS or entry stamp.
- Acceptable for satisfactory evidence.
Memory trick: Foreign passports can pass, if they possess the proper stamps and features.