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Notary Public Current Topics

Current Topics
Acceptable ID for Notarization
Can an Oregon Notary Use ENJOA?
Acceptance of Foreign Passports as "Identification Document"
Identification Documents
Notary Fees
Protesting Commercial Paper

SUBJECT: Acceptable ID for Notarization 11/19/02
Submitted By: Tom Wrosch
ORS 194.515(8) says, "...a notarial officer has satisfactory evidence upon which to identify a person if:

(a) The person produces at least one current document issued by the federal government or a state, county, municipal or other local government and containing the person's photograph, signature and physical description..."

Military ID:
Military ID now being issued often does not include a physical description or signature. If it does not have a signature, it cannot be used as ID for notarization purposes. If it does have a signature, but no physical description, it can be used as one of two or more pieces of ID that meet the criteria of current, signature and issued by a U.S. government, institution or business. Usually, military folks also have a driver license from their home state that a notary public may use.

Matricula Consular ID:
Several Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, are allowing their consulates to issue matricula consular ID to their citizens in the United States, or issue them to those who will go the U.S.

Oregon does not recognize matricula consular ID. First, Oregon law recognizes only federal, state county or local ID. There is no mention of foreign equivalents. Second, we've been advised by our Deputy Attorney General ORS 194.515 (8) and (9) set out an exclusive list of "identification documents" a notary may rely on in verifying the identity of person. That list does not include, nor can it reasonably be construed to comprise marticula consular ID.

Oregon Driver's Licenses:
The ODL must have a signature. If one has rubbed off, the ID is no good for notarial purposes. But, if the signer has another piece of ID with signature, that signature matches the document and journal, and all the ID do not appear to be tampered with, he or she can re-sign the ODL in front of the notary and the notary may accept it as satisfactory evidence. Of course, the signature on the ODL must match the other signatures too.