As a notary public for 16 years I’ve had my share of angry customers who didn’t care nor understand the limitations of their expectations depending on the circumstances.
A mother was dying at a hospital and the family called me to notarize their documents at her bedside. One was coming from Oakland and was informed by her sister to bring her ID. Unfortunately, the sister brought only a US Passport Card with her.
The family was very upset having to summon another family member who was at his business that evening. This man arrived with boiling anger accusing me. The family didn’t want to acknowledge the passport card wasn’t allowed blaming it on me. I told them it’s a $100,000 fine for using an unlawful ID to notarize something
Any other notary feeling threatened would have left the building. I waited until they calmed down. There was no place to notarize the documents and things started falling on the floor as the angry man mocked me.
I finished the job and was surprised they didn’t complain about me on social media. Instead they likely let the hospital know instead.
I am so sorry you had to experience that. They are lucky you stayed and put up with being berated and yelled at just to be of service to them . You didn’t deserve that. You are awesome for sticking it out in that situation to notarize their document after their mistake.
@CherylM, I want to express my sincere appreciation for you courageously sharing your personal experience and insightful perspectives within this forum. It undoubtedly requires considerable fortitude to present real-life anecdotes, particularly when it necessitates navigating potential scrutiny from one’s professional peers within the notary community. The valuable points and details you’ve included in your post serve as a powerful reminder of the essential need for all of us to stay up-to-date and maintain a thorough grasp of the specific notarial laws and regulations that govern our respective states. To provide some additional context and clarification regarding this important topic, I’ve included a link to an informative article that delves into the specifics of acceptable identification documents. I believe this resource may offer further enlightenment and understanding: 3 facts California Notaries should know for identifying signers | NNA
Made me check for my own state. Got this from chatgp. Yes, a U.S. passport card is an acceptable form of identification for notarizing documents in Wisconsin.
Direct from the California Secretary of State website (FAQ):
"1. Can a notary accept a U.S. Passport Card, instead of a traditional U.S. Passport, as satisfactory evidence to establish the identity of a signer?
Yes. Civil Code section 1185(b)(3)(B) indicates that a passport issued by the Department of State of the United States can be accepted as satisfactory evidence of the signer’s identity.
The Civil Code does not differentiate between a Passport Book or a Passport Card, only that it is a passport issued by the Department of State of the United States.
The U.S. Passport Card is issued by the Department of State of the United States and as indicated by the U.S. Department of State, the card is a wallet-sized plastic passport that is proof of U.S. citizenship and identity and has the same length of validity as the passport book. As such, a California notary public is permitted to accept a U.S. Passport Card as satisfactory evidence of the signer’s identity pursuant to Civil Code section 1185(b)(3)(B)."
Then, there’s also a (slight) typo in OP. The fine for failure to garner “satisfactory evidence” of identity is $10,000 – not $100,000. Just a one-digit oopsie. (source: California Civil Code section 1185(B).
I’m amazed, frankly. 16 years a notary and this seems to be the first time this situation has been encountered. So be it. However, it also seems elementary to know that a passport (alone) is acceptable as ID, in California, for sure. If the Patriot Act form specifies that TWO forms of government ID are required, that’s a bit different.
The post states, “The family didn’t want to acknowledge the passport cardwasn’t allowed. . .” Please explain why the passport card “wasn’t allowed”. In what circumstance (other than fraud) would a passport not be allowed and why? Did nobody present have the presence of mind to simply Google to find a credible discussion of this situation and move forward? Patriot Act guidance and the NNA both opine clearly on ID matters.
It is unfortunate that we often find ourselves in the crossfire when families are in high-stress situations, such as in a hospital or other healthcare facility. I am genuinely sorry that you had that experience.
If I may inquire —just out of curiosity —since I know it varies by state, where are you located? I ask only because here in Florida, it is permitted to use the passport card as a valid form of ID. The only reason that it would be rendered invalid would be if it were expired.
On another note, I always try to look at every situation as a learning opportunity. May I recommend keeping a copy of the acceptable and unacceptable forms of ID (for your state) with you? I make it a practice to provide that information to them beforehand and keep a copy with me to ensure there are no misunderstandings. That way, clients understand that it is the LAW and not something we are doing to be difficult or unhelpful.
Kudos to you for maintaining your professionalism and decorum.
You know we had this passport card discussion with the same notary before and it seems a little concerning that she baited us into this new thread. And even if she was right, any notary with a hint of experience would have grabbed those two credible witnesses to justify her ID, since they were standing there anyway.
I have to agree with you on this one, I would not have used the passport card either, and I never have because #1 Only the Passport (not the card) is listed in our 2025 notary handbook for our legal reference #2 the passport card does Not contain a signature like the passport.
I would consider it now after seeing the post referencing SOS saying Ok, however I would want written clarification.
I would however have offered the use of Credible Witnesses if they were available, but then that’s not always easy. Many places won’t let employees do it and the family witnesses cannot have any financial interest or be named in the document being signed.
You were in a tough spot and I commend you for your patience. I had a business client once whose “partner” (not signing) started hassling me and I politely asked if maybe I could come back at a more convenient time. He got the message and we continued in a more business like manner.
Another time in a home a husband became very angry and threatening and I left, then called my client and explained.
I’ve had my share of clients (well intentioned or not) that have given me a hard time and we as individuals have to decide how we want to handle it. Most often if it is an ill person and distraught family I am more patient, like you were.
Yep, we encountered same issue by her in another thread. U.S PASSPORT CARDS ARE INDEED PERFECTLY VALID ID IN WASHINGTON STATE (provided they are not tampered with or expired more than 3 years) and yet she chooses not to accept U.S. passport cards because of how she interprets our notary rules. The bottom line is that she does this because she can. Had she bothered to call our Washington State Notary division as I have urged her to do previously (360-664-1550 9am-4pm PST, or email notaries@dol.wa.gov), our state notary division would have explained it to her She could have cleared up any misunderstanding she is clearly having. But no. So the result is more unwarranted and intentional stress for these poor folks while their mother is dying. NOT COOL. (New notaries, please, please. please do not do this to your signers. If their U.S. Passport card appears valid, it is sufficient to use to identify them!)
EDIT: OOPS! … it was different Washington notary I had this particular U.S. Passport card discussion with. But same thing applies here.Valid passports and U.S. passport cards are sufficient to use to identify a signer. If it is sufficient ID for the federal government, certainly it is good enough for any U.S. notary public. Yolanda has awesomely provided her the blurb for California SOS.
2nd edit because it was flagged. Have a good night everyone.
