What forms of ID are acceptable for notary in PA?
Asked by: Maritza Hackett Sr. | Last update: February 12, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (58 votes)
In Pennsylvania, acceptable ID for notary services must be current (unexpired) and government-issued, featuring your photograph or signature, with top choices being a Driver's License, Non-Driver ID, or U.S. Passport, but other official documents like military ID or some university IDs can also work if they meet the criteria, with personal knowledge or a credible witness as backup options.
What forms of ID can a notary accept in PA?
Government-issued identification:
A passport, driver's license or government-issued nondriver identification card, which is current and unexpired.
Does a notary require two forms of ID?
A single form of valid ID is acceptable for notarization in most cases. However, there may be cases where multiple forms of identity verification are allowed. For example, California Notaries may accept the oath or affirmation of two individuals who personally know the signer and can verify their identity.
What is acceptable proof of identification in PA?
Acceptable documents include: Current PA driver's license or photo ID. PA vehicle registration card. Auto insurance card.
What else counts as a form of ID?
Other forms of ID beyond a standard driver's license include passports (U.S. or foreign), military IDs, Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards), Employment Authorization Documents, and state-issued non-driver ID cards, often used for travel (TSA) or official verification (Form I-9). For secondary verification, documents like birth certificates, Social Security cards, utility bills, voter registration, or insurance cards may be used, especially when a primary photo ID isn't available or for specific purposes like the USPS.
How to Become a Notary in Pennsylvania | NNA
Can I use my Social Security card as a form of ID?
No, you generally cannot use your Social Security card as a standalone ID because it lacks a photo and physical description, but it is crucial for proving your Social Security Number (SSN) for employment, taxes, and government benefits, often used as a secondary document alongside a primary photo ID like a driver's license or passport for things like opening bank accounts or getting a REAL ID.
What would three forms of ID be?
Three common and acceptable forms of ID in the U.S. are a driver's license, a U.S. passport, and a state-issued ID card, often required for travel (TSA) or official transactions, though specific needs (like banking or federal work) might require combining a primary photo ID with a secondary document like a Social Security card. The key is government-issued identification with your photo, name, and date of birth.
What are the seven forms of acceptable photo identification in PA?
In order to do this, the only documents that may be used to identify the Page 2 individual making the application are a valid PA Photo Driver's License, a valid PA Photo Identification Card, a valid PA Photo Exempt Driver's License, a valid PA Photo Exempt Identification Card, a valid Pennsylvania 15-day temporary ...
What counts as a photo ID?
The most commonly accepted forms of photo ID are those issued by government authorities, such as driver's licenses, identity cards and passports, but special-purpose photo IDs may be also produced, such as internal security or access control cards.
What are 3 examples of primary documents US citizens may show for 6 points of ID?
For a 6-point ID, three examples of primary documents for US citizens include a U.S. Passport, a Birth Certificate, or a state-issued Driver's License/ID Card, often with a birth certificate providing 4 points and a secondary document like a Social Security card adding more points to reach the total required, as systems like New Jersey's MVC use point values.
How to get a notary without an ID?
California notaries can notarize documents without valid ID if the signer has two credible witnesses to vouch for their identity. A credible witness must know the signer personally, present valid ID, and have no financial interest in the document.
What forms of ID are acceptable?
Valid forms of ID generally include government-issued photo IDs like U.S. passports, state driver's licenses (especially REAL ID compliant), Permanent Resident Cards, and U.S. military IDs, as these establish both identity and often citizenship/legal status, with other accepted documents depending on the context (e.g., travel, employment, banking). For many uses, a primary photo ID is needed alongside a secondary document (like a Social Security card or utility bill) if the primary lacks certain info like date of birth, though some situations only require one strong primary ID.
What is the most common mistake made by a notary?
The most common and serious mistake a notary makes is failing to ensure the signer personally appears before them, which is a legal violation and can lead to fraud and major penalties, but other frequent errors involve incomplete or incorrect notarial certificates, such as missing dates, improper seal placement, illegible stamps, mismatched names, or attaching the wrong certificate type, all of which can invalidate the document.
How many forms of ID for a notary?
If a signer lacks a primary ID, a notary can accept secondary identification documents. However, these documents MUST contain a photograph, physical description, signature, AND an identifying number: Driver's License or State ID from Another U.S. State. Canadian or Mexican Driver's License.
Can I use a picture of my ID for a notary?
States do not allow Notaries to accept copies of signer IDs
Several states require the signer to present an actual identification document — not a copy. For example, California, Florida and Pennsylvania require signers to present specific identification documents for notarization.
How much do notaries make in PA?
Notary income in PA varies greatly, from potential median salaries around $65k-$70k for employed roles in cities like Philly/Harrisburg (ZipRecruiter) to $15-$30+ hourly for general services (Indeed), while high-demand services like Loan Signing Agent work can bring $150-$400 per appointment, allowing experienced mobile notaries to earn significant monthly income. Profitability depends on offering specialized services (loan signings, courier, title), marketing, and experience, as general notarizations have low per-service fees but high-ticket services increase earning potential.
Does a Social Security card count as a photo ID?
Your Social Security card is not an identification document and, in many situations, you only need to know your Social Security number (you do not need to show the physical card). Do You Need to Show Your Social Security Card? You do not need your Social Security card, you only need to know your Social Security number.
What's considered as two forms of ID?
Two forms of ID usually mean one primary, photo-bearing document (like a driver's license or passport) and one secondary document (like a Social Security card, utility bill, or vehicle registration), though some situations allow for two primary IDs or specific combinations like a birth certificate with a photo ID. The specific requirements vary by organization, so always check their guidelines for primary (List A/B) and secondary (List C/D) acceptable documents.
Which type of ID is acceptable without containing?
The type of ID acceptable without containing a physical description is a b. government issued passport. A Government issued passport typically contains a photo of the holder but does not necessarily include a physical description.
What are 6 forms of ID?
"6 forms of ID" often refers to New Jersey's MVC system for proving identity, using primary documents (like a passport or birth certificate) and secondary documents (like a Social Security card, bank statement, or utility bill) to reach a 6-point total, but other contexts include common government IDs (driver's license, passport, state ID, military ID, Permanent Resident Card, Social Security card) or required documentation for travel (TSA list) or legal processes like obtaining a passport or visa.
What ID can you use for alcohol?
Our tills remind our team members behind the bar to check your age. Acceptable ID could include a photo driving licence, a passport, a proof of age scheme card that carries the PASS hologram or military ID.
What forms of ID are acceptable to buy alcohol in PA?
Pennsylvania Acceptable Forms of ID:
The only acceptable forms of ID in Pennsylvania are a valid photo driver's license or state ID card, a valid photo armed forces ID, and a valid photo passport or travel visa. Contact information for the PA board is listed below.
How do I prove who I am without a photo ID?
use non-photographic ID with a referee
If you do not have any acceptable original documents, you will need a referee confirming from official records.
What else can I use as a form of ID?
Other forms of ID beyond a standard driver's license include passports (U.S. or foreign), military IDs, Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards), Employment Authorization Documents, and state-issued non-driver ID cards, often used for travel (TSA) or official verification (Form I-9). For secondary verification, documents like birth certificates, Social Security cards, utility bills, voter registration, or insurance cards may be used, especially when a primary photo ID isn't available or for specific purposes like the USPS.
What documents are accepted as proof of ID?
To support your identity, you typically need primary, government-issued photo IDs like a Passport, Driver's License, or State ID, often combined with secondary documents like a Birth Certificate, Social Security Card, or utility bills for address verification, depending on the specific requirement (e.g., REAL ID, online verification). The best combination depends on the context, but generally, one primary photo ID plus supporting documents for name/address/birth date are needed.