Posted by Ever/CA on 5/1/07 8:07pm
Msg #188332

HELP FOR SIGNING TONIGHT (again): Non-BO wife's ID

Wife is non-BO and her name on the docs is her maiden name. I asked her on the phone if she had an id with her maiden name. She said that she still had one but DMV had punched a hole in it when she got the new one with her married name on it.

Would you accept that ID?

Thanks,
Ever

Reply by jojo_MN on 5/1/07 8:29pm
Msg #188334

As long as the picture on it is of her, there shouldn't be a problem. Since she has one in her married name, I would also ask to see the marriage license to verify she is one and the same person. That is how I have resolved the issue in the past. The main thing is you need to believe 100% that she is the same person as stated in the documents.

I am not an attorney......this is MHO.

Reply by PL on 5/1/07 8:30pm
Msg #188335

Here is what your state says

A. Paper Identification Documents – Identity of the signer can be established by the
notary public’s reasonable reliance on the presentation of any one of the following documents,
provided that the identification document is current or has been issued within five years
(Civil Code section 1185(c)(3) & (4)):
1. An identification card or driver’s license issued by the California Department of Motor
Vehicles;
2. A United States passport;
3. Other State-approved identification card, consisting of any one of the following, provided

Reply by Ever/CA on 5/1/07 8:39pm
Msg #188337

I also called the title company about this and since she has both DL's (one married, one maiden), they were fine with it.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 5/1/07 9:07pm
Msg #188344

If you are notarizing a document for someone, YOU are the ONLY one responsible for making sure that person has proper ID. The title co may just want to get it done to satisfy their client, so I wouldn't depend on what they tell you (or anyone else, for that matter, except for maybe the SOS office.)

In case you didn't already know, the issue date is at the very bottom of a CA DL. If it's issued within 5 years (as stated in the post by PL (?)), then you should be OK. Knowing what ID is acceptable and what is not, is the area that is MOST important for a notary to study up on and to be comfortable with.