A new website is in the works! I hope to have it available in mid-May 2024. In the mean time, some of the information on this page may be out of date. I apologize for any inconvenience this causes. As always, consult an attorney if you have legal questions, and feel free to contact me via the "general contact" form if you have any questions.

Notaries public are prohibited from notarizing any document unless the identity of the signer has been satisfactorily proven to them.  Unless you are personally known to me, you must present proof of your identity at every notarial appointment.  VA § 47.1-2 specifically states the only forms of satisfactory evidence of identity as the following:

  1. United States passport
  2. Certificate of United States citizenship
  3. Certificate of naturalization
  4. Unexpired foreign passport
  5. Alien registration card with photograph
  6. State issued drivers license
  7. State issued identification card
  8. United States military card

By law, these are the only forms of identification I can accept.  Additionally, I require that all forms of identification be valid (meaning, they are not expired) and complete (meaning, there are no cracks, pieces missing, etc).  When using certificates, you must present the original or court-certified copy.  When using passports, you must present the original valid passport – no pages may be missing.  When using identification cards, all cards must be unexpired and have a photo.  If the card is signed, the signature on your document must match the signature on your identification card.

Note: I may record and keep the serial number from your identification (i.e., drivers license number) in my official notary journal.  At no time will I record or keep a serial number that is also your social security number.  No notary has the authority to make and keep copies of your identification.

Virginia statute does make provisions in the event that none of the above 8 methods of identification are available.  These provisions require you having multiple witnesses that are able to prove their identity and swear or affirm under penalty of perjury as to your identity.  If this is the case for you, please contact me for further detail.