Is a Green Card considered a valid ID for Arizona notarization?

We are often asked whether Arizona notaries are allowed to accept a green card (aka permanent resident card) as a valid ID. While it is not specifically listed in the Arizona Notary Public Reference Manual as one of the approved forms of ID, the Secretary of State’s office has confirmed that Arizona notaries can accept a green card.

The 2024 Reference Manual lists any of the following unexpired IDs as acceptable for all Arizona notary signings:

• Driver license or nonoperating identification license from any US state or territory

• US passport

• Armed forces identification card

• Inmate identification card (for incarcerated signers only)

• Foreign government issued consular identification card

• Other government issued identification card*

*The relevant Arizona Revised Statute—A.R.S. § 41-255(B)(1)(c).— defines this as “another form of unexpired government identification issued by the United States, a state or a tribal government to an individual that contains the signature or a photograph and physical description of the individual and that is satisfactory to the notarial officer.”

A green card is issued by the United States. It does not feature a signature, but it does have a photograph. It does not contain a physical description, exactly, but it does have a thumbprint, and our notaries find that satisfactory. If we have any concerns about the signer’s identity, we can use a thumbprint pad to compare a live thumbprint to the one on the green card.

Just to be extra sure that we are following the law correctly (notaries are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice, not even to ourselves!), we got it in writing from a representative in the Business Services office of the AZ Secretary of State: “Yes you can also accept the US permanent resident card as well.”

If you are using a green card as your ID for a notarization, it’s a good idea to confirm in advance that the notary knows that this is an allowable form of ID and will accept it. We definitely do, and you can make an appointment with us by calling or texting +1 (520) 200-1424.

Canada Joins Hague Apostille Convention

Great news for those doing business with our neighbors to the north: On May 12, 2023, Canada finally signed the Hague Apostille Convention, meaning that they will soon accept apostilled documents.

Canada was one of the few developed countries that hadn’t signed the Apostille Convention, and it made authentication unnecessarily cumbersome. It’s about to get much quicker and easier.

The membership will go into effect on January 11, 2024. We will be ready to help get all of your important documents apostilled for use in Canada by the Arizona Secretary of State or the US State Department.

In the meantime, contact us to discuss your best options for Canada document authentication.