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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: Acceptance of Foreign Passports as "Identification Document" 7/30/03
We've been advised by our Deputy Attorney General that Oregon Notaries Public should not accept passports issued by foreign countries when identifying signers:

Similarly, 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, passports issued by foreign governments, even if the passport has been accepted or endorsed by a federal agency. And because the list is exclusive, the Secretary of State lacks authority to expand it through the rulemaking authority granted under ORS 194.335.