1. You will need one of the following types of identification, and it must be current or expired no more than 3 years unless otherwise specified, and include your photograph and signature:

   • Driver’s license or I.D. card issued from any state, or driver’s instructional permit, provisional or limited term driver’s license, or a nonexpired temporary driver’s license or I.D. card

   • U.S. or foreign (recognized) passport (book or card)

   • U.S. military I.D. card that contains your photograph and signature

   • Tribal I.D. card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe that contains your photograph and signature

   • Document issued by the federal, state, county, or local government that contains your photograph and signature

   • If a person that needs documents notarized is confined in a correctional facility, the I.D. used to identify the incarcerated person shall be the I.D. that is used in the facility to positively identify the inmate through examination of official government documents or records

   • Note: A Matricula Consular I.D. is NOT acceptable by itself, but may be used if additional I.D. is requested

   Other methods of identification include:

   • Personal knowledge (notary public knows the signer personally and is willing to vouch for their identity)

   • Credible Witness (An individual with proper I.D., or who the notary personally knows, who knows and can verify the identity of the signer)

   There could be a situation when additional information or identification credentials are requested to confirm the identity of an individual.

2. Depending on the document you need notarized, you may need witnesses. It is preferred that you provide your own. In most cases, it is best for witnesses to not be related to you or to the transaction. The witness cannot have any interest in, or benefit from the document being notarized. Witnesses need to be 18+ years old.

• The signer will need to know what they are signing and be able to do so both physically and mentally and do so freely and willingly. A mark as a signature can be accepted, or if the person is physically unable to sign, they can bring a third party with them to the appointment who has an acceptable I.D. and is willing to sign by proxy signature.

• If you have questions related to the document you need notarized, it is best to get those questions answered prior to coming to the notarization appointment by contacting the individual or organization who is asking you to have the document notarized, or to contact an attorney. As a notary my duty is to act as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents. I am not an attorney licensed to practice law therefore I cannot give legal advice, help fill out documents, or answer questions about documents.

No, a notary cannot certify a copy of a birth certificate. Notaries should not copy public records that are certified by a custodian of records, such as a county clerk. Certified copies are available from the agencies in charge of those records. It is illegal to make copies, or to certify to copies of Oregon birth or death certificates and marriage or divorce decrees, according to Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 432.380 (15) and Oregon Administrative Rule 333-011-0335(7). To obtain certified copies of records from the Oregon Center for Health Statistics (vital records) call (971)673.1190.