What forms of ID are accepted for online notarization? The short answer: Most government-issued photo IDs are accepted as long as they are physical, unexpired, and clearly readable. While Proof supports a wide range of credentials, the "Conducting Notary" must follow their specific state laws to ensure your identity is legally verified.
ID Requirements at a Glance
| ✅ Accepted | ❌ Not Accepted |
|---|---|
| U.S. Driver's Licenses and State IDs | Military IDs (Common Access Cards or Dependent IDs) |
| U.S. Passports and Passport Cards | Inmate / Prisoner IDs |
| Permanent Resident Cards | Digital IDs stored in Apple or Google Wallets |
| Foreign Passports with a Machine Readable Zone | Photocopies, scans, or previously photographed IDs (applies to primary government-issued ID; non-government secondary IDs may be uploaded) |
| Any primary ID listed above (as a secondary ID) | Expired IDs (in most cases) |
ID Requirements
1. Use a Physical, Government-Issued ID +
Your ID must meet all three of these criteria:
- It must be original: No photocopies, scans, or photos of your ID taken previously. Proof requires a live capture of a physical, government-issued ID to be accepted by our system and the notary. Note: non-government secondary IDs (such as utility bills, bank statements, or tax documents) can be uploaded as a file rather than captured live.
- It must be physical: We cannot currently accept digital IDs stored in Apple or Google Wallets.
- It must be clear: If the notary cannot read the text or see your photo due to blur or glare, they will be unable to proceed.
2. Know the Approved Primary ID Types +
Because online notarization requires high-assurance security, we may only accept specific Credential Analysis compliant IDs.
- Most Common: United States' Driver's Licenses, State IDs, Permanent Resident Cards, and U.S. Passports are the gold standard.
- Passports: Foreign Passports are generally accepted, provided they contain a Machine Readable Zone (the lines of text at the bottom).
- Restricted IDs: Due to security and federal regulations, we cannot accept Military IDs (Common Access Cards or Dependent IDs) or Inmate/Prisoner IDs.
3. Prepare a Secondary ID (If Required) +
You may or may not be asked to provide a secondary form of ID during your session. This is typically required by specific state laws or the organization receiving your document. It is your responsibility to determine if a secondary ID is required for your specific transaction.
Acceptable secondary IDs must display your name and may include:
- Any Primary ID listed above.
- Social Security Card or U.S. Government-issued Visa.
- Birth Certificate.
- Most recent signed Tax Returns, W-2, or Paycheck stub.
- Property Tax Bill or Voter Registration Card.
- Recent Utility Bill, Bank/Investment Statement, or Proof of Insurance.
4. Check the Expiration Date +
A notary's role includes performing a reasonable review of your credentials to ensure they comply with identity verification standards.
- Expired IDs: In most cases, an expired ID is an invalid ID. We strongly recommend using a current, unexpired document.
- Name Matches: Ensure the name on your ID matches the name on the document you are signing. If you've recently changed your name, have supporting documentation ready.
Summary Checklist
- Your primary government-issued ID must be a physical card — no digital wallets, photocopies, or scans.
- Verify that your primary ID is unexpired and the photo is clear.
- Ensure you are in a well-lit area to avoid glare during live photo capture.
- If a secondary ID is required: government-issued IDs must be captured live; non-government IDs (utility bills, bank statements, etc.) can be uploaded as a file.
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