California Notary Public ExamIdentification of SignersEasy
A Notary Public is presented with a document for notarization. The signer offers an identification card issued by a state university that includes a photograph, description, and signature. The Notary has no personal knowledge of the signer. Can the Notary accept this form of identification?
- ANo, because university-issued identification cards are not statutory forms of identification in California.
- BNo, unless the university ID is accompanied by an oath from the signer attesting to their identity.
- CYes, if the university is a public institution and the ID is current.
- DYes, if the signer can also provide a secondary form of identification, such as a credit card.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. No, because university-issued identification cards are not statutory forms of identification in California.
California Notary Public law specifies acceptable forms of identification. University IDs, regardless of their content or the institution's nature, are not included in the statutory list of acceptable IDs.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This is incorrect. An oath from the signer does not validate a non-statutory identification document.
- C. This is incorrect. The type of institution does not make a university ID acceptable under California law.
- D. This is incorrect. A secondary non-statutory ID does not make a non-statutory primary ID acceptable.
Statutory Identification Requirements
California Notaries must only accept forms of identification explicitly listed in the Notary Public Handbook as satisfactory evidence of a signer's identity.
- The list of acceptable IDs is exhaustive.
- Any ID not on the list, regardless of how official it appears, is generally not acceptable.
- Notaries must verify the ID is current or issued within the last 5 years, depending on the type.
Memory trick: Only official, listed IDs unlock notarization.