Acceptable ID Needed for Notary

One of the most important steps during a notarization is confirming your identity. As government-appointed public officials, Notaries Public are required to verify you are who you claim to be.

In most cases, presenting a current identity document (ID) issued by the state or federal government is sufficient evidence for Notaries to confirm your identity because they contain your photograph, physical description, and signature.

Acceptable forms of ID include, but are not limited to:

• State-issued driver’s licenses

• Passports

• Military IDs

• State, county, and local government IDs

• Permanent resident “green cards”

• Inmate IDs

Many other identity documents may be accepted depending on your state’s Notary rules and regulations. Your Notary will know what types of IDs they can accept, so be sure to ask before your appointment.

The following documents are not acceptable for notarizations: 

• Social Security cards, 

• Birth certificates

• Marriage certificates

• Credit cards

• School IDs

• Library cards

• Temporary driver’s licenses.

Alternative Forms of Identification

What if you don’t have an ID for a Notary? Or what if your ID is expired? You may be asked for an alternative or second form of identification to satisfy the Notary’s ID requirements. In these situations, the Notary may employ personal knowledge, credible identifying witness, and subscribing witness.

Personal Knowledge

The original method of verifying a person’s identity is using personal knowledge. If you and the Notary have known each other for a period of time, the Notary may be able to accept this identification method for the notarization.

Credible Identifying Witnesses

If you don’t have an acceptable form of ID, you may bring someone you know and who is also personally known to the Notary to vouch for your identity. Considered a credible identifying witness, this person must bring a valid ID and be willing to swear to your identity.

Subscribing Witnesses

If you’re unable to appear before a Notary Public due to illness, disability, or physical absence, you may have the option to use a subscribing witness.

A subscribing witness is a person who witnesses the signing of a document and then subscribes (signs) their own name to the document as a witness to attest to the fact that they observed the signing of the document.

To avoid any delays during the notarization process, ask your Notary Public the types of identification methods they accept and how many forms of ID are required. Coming into your appointment with valid documents ensures a smooth and quick transaction.

Acceptable ID Needed for Notary 

What are the duties of a notary in GA? 

The duties of a notary public are defined by state law and encompass a range of responsibilities aimed at ensuring the authenticity and integrity of important documents. As of January 1, 2025, certain aspects of these duties have been updated.

Core Duties of a Georgia Notary Public:

1. Witnessing Signatures: Attesting to the signing or execution of deeds and other written instruments. 

2. Taking Acknowledgments: Confirming that individuals have voluntarily signed documents.

3. Administering Oaths and Affirmations: Conducting oaths and affirmations in matters related to their duties as commercial officers and other oaths not required to be administered by a particular officer. 

4. Witnessing Affidavits: Observing the signing of affidavits under oath or affirmation. 

5. Taking Verifications: Receiving verifications upon oath or affirmation. 

6. Making Certified Copies: Providing certified copies of original documents, provided the document is not a public record or publicly recorded document, and was photocopied under the notary’s supervision. 

7. Performing Other Authorized Acts: Carrying out additional acts as authorized by Georgia law

Types of notarizations

Acknowledgment

An acknowledgment is needed to declare that you have willingly signed a document. Acknowledgments are most often performed on transactions regarding property or assets, such as deeds, mortgages, and deeds of trust.

Jurat

A jurat requires you to swear or affirm that the document’s contents are true. This notarial act certifies that the document signer has sworn or affirmed, under oath, that the contents of a document are true and correct.

Depending on the state or county, jurats may also be referred to as affidavits or verifications on oath or affirmation. Jurats are most often performed on evidentiary documents in the justice system, like affidavits, depositions, and interrogatories.

Oaths or affirmations

An oath or affirmation is for you to verbally attest that you are telling the truth or upholding specific values. The difference between an oath and affirmation is that an oath involves swearing to a higher power, such as God, whereas an affirmation is telling the truth based on your personal honor.

You get to choose whether you’d like to take an oath or affirmation based on your preference.

Copy certification

A copy certification confirms that the copy of a document is an exact match of the original. They are most often performed on personal vital records and business transactions, including:

• Diplomas

• Driver’s licenses

• Leases

• Contracts

• Vehicle titles

• Social Security cards

• Medical records

• Bills of sale

Before asking a Notary for copy certification services, check with your state to see if this notarization is allowed.

Signature witnessing

A signature witnessing is done to confirm that you are who you claim to be and that the signature on record belongs to you. While signature witnessings are somewhat uncommon, some U.S. states authorize Notaries to certify that a document was signed in their presence and that they were an official witness to the signing.

If you’re unsure about the type of notarization you need, contact the document issuer or receiving agency for guidance. Remember, Notaries may not choose the notarization for you as that is considered unauthorized practice of law.

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