Virginia Notary Laws
What Identification Is Required for Notarization in Virginia?
Virginia notary ID rules: which IDs work, which don't, what to do if you have no ID, and how credible witnesses work.
What Virginia law requires
A Virginia notary must "satisfactorily identify" the signer before performing a notarial act. The Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth recognizes three ways:
- Personal knowledge — the notary has known the signer long enough to be confident in their identity
- A current government-issued photo ID with signature
- Credible witnesses who personally know the signer and can swear to identity
Almost all notarizations use option two.
Acceptable IDs
- U.S. driver's license or state-issued ID
- U.S. passport book or passport card
- U.S. military ID (including dependent and retiree)
- Permanent resident card (green card)
- Tribal photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribe
- DHS Employment Authorization Document with photo
- Some foreign passports (notary's discretion)
What's NOT acceptable
- Expired ID, even one day past
- Photocopies of ID
- Student ID
- Employer / corporate ID
- Library cards
- Social Security card (no photo)
- Birth certificate (no photo)
- Concealed-carry permits without a photo
What if the ID has a different name?
A signer who has changed their name (marriage, divorce, court order) may sign in the new name *as long as* the ID shows the prior name and the signer can produce documentation of the change. The notary will often note "now known as" in the journal entry.
What if the signer has no acceptable ID?
Use credible witnesses:
- Two people who personally know the signer
- Each witness brings their own acceptable ID
- Each witness swears under oath that they know the signer and that the signer is the person they claim to be
This is the path for elderly signers, recent immigrants, and others without current government ID.
Photocopies, faxes, scans
A Virginia notary must see the original physical ID, not a photo or scan. Exception: RON sessions use digital ID verification through approved platforms with KBA.
Common ID issues we see in the field
- Recently moved and new license hasn't arrived — passport solves it
- Lost wallet — credible witnesses
- Hospital admission stripped of belongings — credible witnesses (often family)
- Out-of-state visitor — out-of-state license is fine
- Foreign national — passport from home country is fine for most acts; confirm in advance for real estate
What the notary records
Per Virginia law, the journal entry includes:
- Type of ID
- Issuing agency
- ID number (last 4 digits in many cases)
- Expiration date
- Whether identity was established by personal knowledge or credible witnesses
This record protects the signer, the notary, and any party who later relies on the document.
Frequently asked
Can I use an expired driver's license?+
No. Virginia notaries cannot accept expired identification. Use a passport, military ID, or arrange credible witnesses.
How do credible witnesses work?+
Two adults who personally know the signer appear with their own valid ID and swear under oath to the signer's identity. The notary records both witnesses in the journal.
On Time Notary Editorial Team
Practicing Virginia notaries and signing agents writing about real-world signings.