For any notary to legalize a document, each signer of the document is required to prove his or her identity. Satisfactory evidence of identity can be proven using one of three methods. The most commonly used method is a state issued photo ID such as a driver license or a U.S. passport.
Other forms of acceptable satisfactory evidence include a photo ID card issued by an official Mexican or Canadian public agency. A Foreign passport is also an acceptable form of ID but only if it bears a legal entry stamp from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service.
Acceptable photo ID must be current or have been issued within five years and must contain the following: a photograph of the signer, the signature or mark of the signer, a serial or identification number, and a matching physical description of the signer including eye and hair color as well as height and weight.
If an ID card or passport does not fulfill the requirements set forth above or if no photo ID is available and one cannot be easily obtained, there are two other methods of identification that can fulfill the satisfactory evidence requirement.
First, the identity of the signer can be established by the oath of a single credible witness whom the notary personally knows. This witness does not have to provide ID, since the notary personally knows him or her but this witness will have to sign the notary's journal.
Second, the identity of the signer can be established by the oath of two credible witnesses who the notary does not personally know but only if each credible witness holds an ID that comports to the identification requirements set forth above. The two credible witnesses must also sign the notary's journal.
Other rarely used forms of acceptable ID include a Military ID card and an inmate identification card, assuming the inmate is in custody. Other state-issued identification cards may also be used assuming they meet the above requirements.
If a signer cannot prove his or her identity through the means outlined above, a notary is legally obligated to deny services.