What Type of I.D. is Accepted?
The State of Texas requires notaries to verify the identification of every signer. Only valid, non-expired identification, with a photograph, is acceptable. These Guidelines are set by the State of Texas, and can be found on the Secretary of State’s website, and are not at the discretion of your notary.
Signers Must Provide one of the Following:
Valid Driver’s License or VALID State Issued ID Card, issued by any US state Valid USA Passport
US Military Identification
Valid Driver’s License or ID Card issued in Mexico or Canada
Valid Foreign Passport (issued outside of USA) that has a stamp from the Citizenship and Immigration Services
Inmate Identification, if signer is currently an inmate, issued by the state of Texas Department of Corrections (TDC)
NOT ACCEPTED Identity includes: Social Security Cards / Work Identification Badges / Membership Club Cards / Gym Identification Cards / Student Identification Cards / Medicare Cards / Driver’s License without Photo ID including a temporary license
If you don't have a valid I.D. In Texas, a signer can use credible witnesses for identification. Credible witnesses must either personally know the Notary or, must present to the Notary a valid, unexpired ID issued by the federal or a state government that contains the photo and signature of the witness (1 TAC 87.40[2] and 87.1[1]).
If a signer chooses to use the credible witness method for identification, Texas requires that the signer provide TWO (2) credible witnesses; they must know the signer well enough to be able to swear or affirm the signer’s identity before the Notary.
Does a Notary Need to Read Your Document?
Notaries do not need to read the document; they need only visually scan it for facts you are required by law to record in your record book. Our job is to enter information in our notary record book to identify the document you are notarizing for the signers. The most important facts are: Date of notarization.
Can a Notary Refuse a Notarization?
Yes, if the signer does not meet certain qualifications for the notarization. These may include:
1. Signer Disqualifications
This occurs when the signer does not meet certain qualifications for the notarization. These may include:
· The signer is not physically present
· The signer cannot be properly identified
· The signer does not speak the same language as the Notary
· The signer is unwilling to swear or affirm the contents of the document for notarizations that require an oath or affirmation
· You have reason to believe the signer appears to be confused, disoriented or lacks the mental capacity to sign documents
· You have reason to believe that the signer is being coerced to sign, rather than signing of his or her own free will
2. Document Disqualifications
This occurs when the document doesn’t meet certain requirements. Situations may include:
· The document contains blank spaces or missing pages
· The document does not contain a notarial certificate, and the signer cannot or will not instruct the Notary which type of notarial
certificate is required
· The signer wants you to certify a copy of a vital record, such as a birth certificate, which you are not permitted to do
3. Notary Disqualifications
There are times when the notarization presents a conflict of interest that impairs the Notary’s impartiality. These may include:
· You are a signer of the document
· You are named as a party to the underlying transaction or have a financial or beneficial interest in the transaction
· The signer is your spouse, parent, or child
4. Other Disqualifying Situations
Here are several other potential situations when you should refuse the request:
· You know or suspect the transaction is false, illegal, or deceptive
· The act being requested is not an authorized notarial act
· The signer is unable or unwilling to pay the required fee
· The request is made outside of your regular office hours
· The request violates your workplace guidelines
― NNA