08/12/2021
3 Facts for California Notaries on how to Identify a Signer
1. California Does Not Allow A Signer To Be Identified Through Personal Knowledge. Signer needs a propper ID.
2. California Notaries Must Identify Signers through propper ID For both Jurats And Acknowledgments
3. Not All Consular IDs Are Acceptable
California Notaries may accept ID cards issued by foreign consulates as proof of a signer’s identity — but there are some restrictions. In order to be accepted, the consular ID must be current or issued in the past 5 years; have a serial or identification number; and contain the signature, photograph and description of the bearer. It’s important to note that the “matricula consular” IDs issued by Mexican consulates do not meet these requirements and cannot be accepted as satisfactory evidence of a signer’s identity in California.