California Notary Public ExamIdentification of SignersMedium
A Notary Public is presented with a document for notarization. The signer provides a U.S. military identification card that does not have an expiration date. The card appears to be authentic and includes a photograph, description, and signature. How should the Notary proceed?
- AAccept the ID only if the signer can also provide a secondary form of identification from the statutory list.
- BConsult the military's official website to determine the ID's validity before accepting.
- CAccept the U.S. military ID as it is current and meets other requirements, even without an expiration date.
- DRefuse the ID because all acceptable IDs must have an explicit expiration date.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Accept the U.S. military ID as it is current and meets other requirements, even without an expiration date.
U.S. military identification cards are an acceptable form of identification for notarization in California. Many military IDs do not contain an expiration date but are considered current as long as they are not explicitly marked as expired or canceled, and they meet the other requirements (photo, description, signature).
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is incorrect. A valid military ID does not require a secondary ID.
- B. This is impractical and not a requirement for Notaries. Notaries are expected to recognize statutory IDs on sight.
- D. This is incorrect. Not all acceptable IDs are required to have an explicit expiration date, especially U.S. military IDs.
U.S. Military ID Validity
A U.S. military identification card is an acceptable form of identification in California, even if it does not contain an expiration date, provided it is current and includes a photograph, physical description, and signature.
- Many U.S. military IDs do not have expiration dates.
- They are considered 'current' as long as not marked expired/canceled.
- Must contain a photo, physical description, and signature.
- One of the statutory forms of identification.
Memory trick: Military ID is always 'on duty' for ID, even without a date.