Can notaries accept a copy of my ID?
It happens from time to time, you lose your wallet or purse. Maybe it was stolen and you'll experience a short period of time without your physical ID in your possession. Copies of certain IDs may be acceptable for use in some instances but when you need your signature notarized on important documents, is it acceptable to present a copy of your driver's license or passport to the notary to prove your identity?
The simple and blunt answer is NO. But why is that you may be asking? There are several reasons why:
- Notary law in many states simply does allow notaries to use a copy of an ID to verify a signer's identity. The laws are written that an actual, non-expired ID such as a driver's license or passport must be presented when requesting notarization. Some states allow for recently expired IDs to be used but the actual ID must still be presented.
- Copies of IDs could have been forged. When a scammer makes a copy of your ID, he or she could change the photo, address and physical description as well as changing the signature on the ID to match their likeness and signature.
- State issued drivers licenses and non-driver IDs and passports all contain various security features like holograms, certain print patterns or other details that printed copies will lack. These security features can be found on the front and back of IDs depending on the state of issue. If only a copy of the front of the ID is presented to the notary, the full detail of the ID cannot be examined.
If you present a copy of an ID to a notary and the notary requests the physical ID and you cannot produce said ID, the notary is well within his or her right to refuse the notarization request.
To help prevent against fraud on all sides, please be sure to provide your actual ID to a notary when you are requesting notary services. It helps protect you, the signer from fraud, theft and forgery and it protects the notary from fines and/or penalties from improperly notarizing a document!
About Blue Ink Notary
Blue Ink Notary has been providing mobile notary services since 2019. Located in Reading, PA, I serve the residents of Berks County and its surrounding counties. Remote online notarization (RON) and in person electronic notarization (IPEN) services are also available for your convenience.
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