Notary Signature & ID Requirement FAQs

Most notaries accept government-issued photo IDs: a driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, or green card. The ID must be current, unexpired, and contain a photo, signature, and physical description. Some states allow tribal IDs or foreign passports with additional verification steps.

Generally no. Most states require ID to be current and unexpired. A few notaries and platforms accept IDs expired within the last few months if supported by secondary credentials, but this is the exception, not the rule. Renew your ID before scheduling a notarization whenever possible.

Your signature does not need to perfectly match your ID, but it should be a genuine representation of your usual signature. Notaries are not handwriting experts. What matters is that you are the same person identified on the credential presented — not that every pen stroke lines up.

Yes, through a power of attorney. The agent (attorney-in-fact) can sign on behalf of the principal (the person granting authority), but must present the signed, notarized power of attorney document and their own valid ID. The notary will notarize the signature of the agent acting in their official capacity.

Yes. Most states allow a 'signature by mark' (an X or other mark) if the signer is physically unable to write. Two witnesses typically observe the mark, and the notary records the circumstances. For very severe limitations, some states also permit a designated person to sign at the signer's direction in the notary's presence.

For traditional in-person notarizations, yes — you must be physically present. For remote online notarization (RON), you must appear via live two-way video. You cannot simply leave a document with a notary to sign and stamp on your behalf without your appearance.