Is Your ID Valid? A Simple Guide to Acceptable Forms for Notarization in CO
If you've never had a document notarized before, it's easy to get confused about the rules. The most important part of a notary's job is confirming your identity—and Colorado law is very clear about what we can and cannot accept. These requirements by law are none negotiable.
As your trusted Mobile Notary service across Pueblo, Pueblo West, and Fremont County, we want to make sure your appointment goes off without a hitch. By checking your ID against this guide before we arrive, you ensure a fast, compliant, and stress-free signing!
The Core Rule: Why Your ID Must Be Perfect
The law requires the notary to be "reasonably certain" of the signer's identity. To do this, your ID must meet three non-negotiable standards. If your ID fails any one of these, we cannot legally proceed with the notarization.
Current: It must be unexpired. We cannot accept an ID that expired even one day ago.
Original: We must see the physical document. Photos or copies on a phone are not valid.
Recognizable: The photo must clearly match the person in front of us, and the name must exactly match the name on the document being signed.
Acceptable Forms of Primary Identification
If you have one of the following, you are ready to go. These IDs provide the strongest legal proof of identity under Colorado regulations:
U.S. State-Issued Driver’s License or ID Card
U.S. Passport or Foreign Passport (stamped and endorsed by U.S. Immigration)
U.S. Military ID
Inmate ID (from a specific correctional facility)
An identification card issued by a Native American tribe.
The IDs That Just Don't Work (And Why)
It's common for people to try using other forms of ID, but due to state law and the need for high security, these unfortunately CANNOT be accepted by our Traveling Notary:
Expired IDs: An expired ID is legally void for notarization, even if it's only a few days past the expiration date.
Paper or Temporary IDs: If you only have the temporary paper copy from the DMV, we generally cannot use it unless you also have a separate, valid, government-issued photo ID.
Social Security Cards or Credit Cards: These do not have the photo or official security features required to prove your identity conclusively.
IDs from non-U.S. territories or countries: Unless it is a foreign passport endorsed by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (USCIS), we cannot accept it.
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If you have any questions before booking your mobile notary appointment in Pueblo, Cañon City, or Florence, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are here to ensure your legal documents are signed and processed correctly the first time.