The National Notary Bulletin

Can Notaries accept a driver's license printed on paper as proof of identity?

By NNA Staff, February 3, 2025

Photo of woman with long dark hair on phone. She is looking at papers in her hand. Text on image reads NNA Hotline Tip.

I’m wondering what the guidelines are in Texas regarding a paper driver’s license? Are they acceptable? Do they have to have another form of identification with it? I feel like I had one that was a fake, so I declined it but I’m not sure, so I’d like to know the law or the standard. — K.K., Texas

The Texas Administrative Code states that Notaries may use a “credential” to identify a document signer. A credential is “a valid, unexpired identification card or other document issued by the federal government or any state government, as defined by §311.05 of the Government Code, that contains the photograph and signature of the principal. With respect to a deed or other instrument relating to a residential real estate transaction, a credential also includes a current passport issued by a foreign country (1 TAC 87.1[1]). Note specifically the words “card” and “document” in the definition. The rule is talking about “tangible” credentials. Most, if not all, are thick plastic with laser etching, or perhaps a paper ID enclosed in plastic. If the ID you were presented with truly was as thin as a piece of paper, it likely was a copy of an ID and you rightfully declined to accept it.

For more information, please see our guide to spotting a fake ID and our article discussing if Notaries can accept learner’s permits as identification.

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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3 Comments

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Barb Dostal

21 Feb 2025

Ohio does the same as Texas, giving you a “paper license” when you renew. Is this considered an acceptable credential?

National Notary Association

24 Feb 2025

Hello. The OH Secretary of State's website provides the following guidelines: “Ohio Revised Code Section 147.53 requires the notary public to have satisfactory evidence as to the signer’s identity, which means personal knowledge or other evidence of the signer’s identity. A notary public has personal knowledge of the identity of the signer if the signer is personally known to the notary public through dealings sufficient to provide reasonable certainty that the signer has the identity claimed. A notary public may have satisfactory evidence of the signer’s identity by viewing a passport, driver’s license or other government issued photo identification card. Although, a notary public may consider other forms of identification or verification on oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally appearing before the notary public and known to the notary public or whom the notary public can identify by viewing a passport, driver’s license or other government issued photo identification card. A notary public should only proceed with the notarial act upon receipt of satisfactory evidence of the signer’s identity” (website, “Notary Information, Resources and FAQs”).

Elizma Cowle

18 Feb 2025

I wonder if the person asking the question was referring to the temporary paper drivers license that you get issued in the State of Texas while you are waiting on your actual drivers license to arrive in the mail. This is normally just printed on a piece of paper.

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