Notary Public Underwriters Blog
Can a Notary Accept an Expired Driver’s License as Identification?
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- Published: January 5, 2026
Across the United States, notaries public may accept various forms of identification to verify the identity of a signer they do not personally know. The most common and widely used form of ID is a state-issued driver’s license.
Notaries in every state can accept a current, valid driver's license as proof of identity. Some states allow the use of expired driver's licenses, provided they meet specific requirements outlined in their notary laws.
Here's a brief look at how a few states handle expired identification:
Arkansas
State law does not list specific IDs a notary may accept. Instead, notaries must use sound judgment to determine what qualifies as “satisfactory” identification. The Arkansas Secretary of State recommends a government-issued ID with a photograph and signature. If the ID is expired, the notary must decide whether to accept it. If a notary decides to accept an expired ID, they should ensure the person’s appearance has not significantly changed.
Florida
A notary may accept an official driver’s license or ID card issued by Florida, another U.S. state or territory, Canada, or Mexico if it includes a serial or identifying number. The ID must be current or issued within the past five years
Indiana
A notary may accept certain forms of identification, including a driver’s license, passport, or other government-issued credential containing a photograph, as long as it is not expired for more than three years.
Kansas
A notary may accept a passport, driver’s license, or government-issued non-driver ID card that is current or expired no more than three years before the notarial act. Other government-issued IDs that contain a photograph and signature may also be accepted under the same conditions.
Michigan
A notary may only accept current identification issued by a federal or state government that includes the signer’s photograph and signature. Expired identification cannot be accepted under Michigan law.
Missouri
A notary may accept at least one current identification document issued by a federal, state, or tribal government in a language understood by the notary that includes the individual’s photograph, signature, and physical description. A properly stamped passport that meets all requirements except the physical description is also acceptable. Missouri notaries should disregard advice from states that accept expired credentials.
Notary laws regarding expired identification vary significantly by state. While some states allow expired IDs under certain conditions, others require only current, valid credentials. The safest move? Always double-check your state’s laws before accepting an expired driver’s license or any other form of ID.
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