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What to do if the signature is a symbol instead of a name?

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Updated 4-5-23. I performed a notarization where the signature on the signer’s driver's license was not legible — it was like a circle with a dot as if it was in another language. Is that what she should have used when signing the document?  She signed the document legibly, as it was typed under the signature line, i.e., "Jane Doe." —  M.I., California

It is unusual that she signed the document with a signature that differed markedly from the signature on her driver’s license. It is not a deal-breaker, though, as long as you, as the Notary, were satisfied that the driver’s license she presented was satisfactory proof of her identity.

Hotline answers are based on the laws in the state where the question originated and may not reflect the laws of other states. If in doubt, always refer to your own state statutes. – The Editors

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10 Comments

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Nick

03 Nov 2021

Renewed my PA driver License today and digital signature LOOKS NOTHING like my signature. rewrote 3 times and gave up same thing happened last time. it just looks awful

Mark Panaligan

27 Aug 2021

I have same issue with my DMV cause they said to sign your name. So I sign my fulllname instead of my signature. It will be valid or do I need to change at DMV for correction

National Notary Association

27 Aug 2021

Hello. You would need to contact a DMV office to answer any questions about DMV rules for signing their forms.

Nik Ciccone

19 Oct 2020

I find it's not unusual at all really; as many have observed the stylus used at DMV's can create radically different signatures. Personally, I had an experience similar to another commenter here where after trying several times to get a passable signature I just went with what it had on the screen. Half the time the screen refused to record my writing especially things like the dots of the i's. As a result my i dots on the license are overtly pronounced compared to my regular signature. Additionally, I turn papers slightly at angle when I write so any paper signature always looks a little different regardless of the digital medium's quality.

Pam

20 May 2020

Can you sign just your last name on your CA driver license?

National Notary Association

20 May 2020

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

Fagan

24 Sep 2019

My signature from my ID and the signature that i use now is different would it cause an issue?

National Notary Association

25 Sep 2019

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

Anamae

02 Nov 2018

I had the same issue with the DMV and the stylus/keypad. But I have a concern now with voting. My signature on my DL looks nothing like my normal signature. My dad was almost denied the right to vote because of this. He had to sign his name a few times. I wonder if my ballot has ever been thrown out.

Lucienne McCauley

14 Mar 2017

When I renewed my license, the stylus pens the DMV uses were so bad, I rewrote my signature 6 times & finally gave up & accepted the last one, so my signature hardly matches my real signature. I'm glad you said it was not a deal breaker.

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