Yes, a non-US citizen can use an online notary. US notary law doesn’t require the signer to be a citizen or resident. It requires the notary to verify who you are. For an online notary for non-US citizens, the practical hurdle is identity proofing: knowledge-based quizzes rely on US credit and address records you may not have. A valid passport plus a biometric check often solves that, but the options depend on the notary’s state.
Below, you’ll find which IDs notaries accept in person and online, what happens with expired IDs or photos of IDs, and how to get notarized when KBA won’t work.
Can a non-US citizen use an online notary?
Yes. Online notarization is available to non-US citizens because notaries verify identity, not citizenship. You need an acceptable government-issued photo ID, and you need to pass the identity checks required by the notary’s commissioning state. If you are outside the United States, many states also require the document to relate to a US matter.
Remote online notarization (RON) laws describe the identity steps in similar terms. Texas requires either the notary’s personal knowledge of the signer, or remote presentation of a government-issued ID with a photo and signature, credential analysis of that ID, and identity proofing (Tex. Gov’t Code § 406.110). Florida lists the same three steps and allows identity proofing by KBA or another method that meets its standards (Fla. Stat. § 117.265).
Two terms are worth defining:
- Credential analysis: software checks that your ID is genuine and has not been altered by examining its security features and data.
- Identity proofing: a separate check that you are the person on the ID, typically a KBA quiz or a biometric comparison.
Why KBA often fails for non-US citizens
Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) asks multiple-choice questions drawn from public and private records, such as past addresses, loans or vehicles. Virginia’s definition is typical: at least five questions, five answer choices each, two minutes to answer, and a passing score of 80 percent (Va. Code § 47.1-2).
The questions depend on a US data trail. Minnesota’s statute says the questions are identifiable to the signer’s Social Security number or other identification information (Minn. Stat. § 358.645). BlueNotary’s help center makes the same point for signers with little or no US credit history, noting that KBA will be impossible to generate for them (Types of Identity Authentication).
Some states allow other identity-proofing methods:
- Virginia requires two of five listed methods, and KBA is only one option (§ 47.1-2).
- Utah allows a signer’s identity to be bound through KBA or biometric data, including facial recognition (Utah Admin. Code R623-100-5).
- New York requires identity proofing that meets at least NIST’s Identity Assurance Level 2 rather than naming KBA (19 NYCRR § 182.7).
Not every state offers an alternative, so the notary’s commissioning state matters.
What ID do you need for a notary?
In most states, one current government-issued photo ID with a signature is enough. A passport, driver’s license or state ID usually qualifies. Foreign passports are accepted in many states, but some add conditions, and rules on expired IDs vary widely.
Here is how six states handle notary ID requirements for in-person notarizations:
| State | Standard ID rule | Foreign passport | Expired ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Listed IDs that are current or issued within 5 years (Civ. Code § 1185) | Accepted, as is a consular ID from your country of citizenship | Accepted if issued within the past 5 years |
| Florida | Listed IDs that are current or issued within the past 5 years (Fla. Stat. § 117.05) | In person, only if stamped by US immigration authorities | Accepted if issued within the past 5 years |
| Texas | Current federal or state ID with photo and signature (Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 121.005) | Current foreign passport accepted for residential real estate documents | Must be current |
| Virginia | Listed IDs in Va. Code § 47.1-2 | Listed by name | Confirm with the notary before booking |
| Washington | Passport, driver’s license or government ID (RCW 42.45.050) | Passport accepted; origin not restricted | Accepted up to 3 years after expiration |
| Pennsylvania | Passport, driver’s license or government ID (57 Pa.C.S. § 307) | Passport accepted; origin not specified | Must be current and unexpired |
Can a notary accept a foreign passport?
Usually, yes. California, Virginia and Washington accept foreign passports, and Texas accepts a current foreign passport for residential real estate documents. Florida is stricter in person: a foreign passport needs a US immigration stamp. For an online notarization of a signer located outside the United States, however, Florida allows a foreign passport without that stamp (Fla. Stat. § 117.201).
Do you need 2 forms of ID for a notary?
Usually not. The National Notary Association says a single form of valid ID is acceptable in most cases (NNA). Two documents come up in narrower situations. New York, for example, accepts at least two current documents bearing your signature as an alternative to one government photo ID (19 NYCRR § 182.5). Washington also lets a notary ask for additional identification when needed (RCW 42.45.050).
For online notarization, the equivalent of a second layer is technology: credential analysis plus identity proofing, or in Washington, at least two different types of identity proofing (RCW 42.45.280).
If you are signing from outside the United States
Being a non-US citizen and being located abroad are different questions. If you are physically outside the country, many states add conditions that have nothing to do with citizenship: the document must relate to a US matter, and signing must not be prohibited where you are.
Washington’s law, for example, requires the record to relate to a US court or government matter, US property, or a transaction substantially connected with the United States, and the act must not be prohibited by the foreign country where you are located (RCW 42.45.280). Texas and Florida allow online notarization regardless of where the signer is located. BlueNotary applies its own US-matters condition to no-SSN verification, as explained below.
What to do if your identity check fails
A failed check is not always the end of the session. KBA rules often allow retries. Virginia lets a signer attempt up to two additional quizzes within 48 hours after a first failed quiz (Va. Code § 47.1-2), and Florida also permits a limited retry. If the questions simply can’t be generated because you have no US records, retrying won’t help.
Try these steps instead:
- Switch methods. Choose biometric verification with your passport if the platform and the notary’s state allow it.
- Retake the ID capture. Credential analysis can fail because of glare, blur or a cropped photo page, so recapture in better light.
- Check your ID’s status. Replace an expired or damaged passport before trying again.
- Contact support. Ask whether a notary commissioned in another state can serve you.
Expired IDs, photos of IDs and signing without ID
These three situations cause the most confusion. The short version: expired IDs depend on the state, photos of IDs are not accepted, and signers without ID may still qualify through credible witnesses in some states.
Can a notary accept an expired ID?
It depends on the state. Washington accepts an ID expired no more than three years. California and Florida accept IDs issued within the past five years. Pennsylvania and Texas require a current ID. The NNA confirms the answer depends entirely on state law (NNA). Online, expect stricter treatment: BlueNotary’s KBA and biometrics help article refers to unexpired government-issued IDs.
Can a notary accept a picture of an ID?
No. The NNA’s guidance is that notaries should never accept copies of identification as proof of identity (NNA). In a remote session, you hold the physical ID up to the camera so the system can analyze it. A screenshot or photocopy won’t pass.
How do you get something notarized without ID?
In some states, credible witnesses can vouch for you. California accepts one credible witness personally known to the notary, or two credible witnesses whose identities are proven (Civ. Code § 1185). Florida has a similar rule, and each witness must have no financial interest in the transaction (Fla. Stat. § 117.05). Credible-witness options for online sessions are more limited and vary by state.
How BlueNotary verifies non-US citizens
BlueNotary offers two identity-proofing paths. US signers can choose KBA, a five-question quiz on personal history, or biometrics. Non-US citizens are directed to use a passport book plus a biometrics scan that confirms they are a real, live person (help center). BlueNotary says its selfie capture is handled by video through its technology partner, Persona.
Two conditions apply. First, BlueNotary’s How It Works page limits no-SSN biometric verification to documents that pertain to matters based in the United States. Second, BlueNotary notes that whether biometrics is allowed depends on the state. For a plain-English overview of these methods, see our guide on how to verify identity online. You can learn more about the service itself on our online notary page.
Checklist: prepare your ID before the session
Credential analysis needs to read your ID clearly. A little preparation reduces the chance of a failed check.
- Use an unexpired passport book. A passport card is listed for US citizens, not as the international option.
- Make sure the name on your passport matches the name on the document.
- Check that the photo page is undamaged and readable, including the machine-readable lines at the bottom.
- Choose soft, even lighting to avoid glare on the photo page.
- Keep your face uncovered and well lit for the biometric scan.
- Confirm your document concerns a US matter if you are signing from abroad.
- Ask the recipient whether it accepts remote online notarization.
- Leave time before any deadline in case you need to repeat the identity check.
Not sure which ID will work for your situation? Email BlueNotary at [email protected] before you book, and the team can point you in the right direction.
Frequently asked questions
Can a green card holder use an online notary?
Yes. BlueNotary lists the Permanent Resident Card among accepted IDs. If you have a US credit history, KBA may work. If not, choose biometrics, subject to the notary’s state rules.
Do I need a Social Security number to get notarized online?
No. A Social Security number helps with KBA, but it isn’t a legal requirement for notarization. BlueNotary offers biometric verification without an SSN when the document pertains to US matters.
What forms of ID are acceptable for a notary?
Most states accept a current passport, driver’s license or state-issued ID with a photo and signature. Some accept consular IDs, permanent resident cards or recently expired IDs. Check the notary’s state rules first.
Can I use my foreign driver’s license?
Possibly, in person. Florida, for example, accepts driver’s licenses issued by Canada or Mexico, but many states name foreign passports rather than foreign licenses. For online sessions with BlueNotary, non-US citizens should use a passport book.
Can I get notarized online if I’m visiting the US on a visa?
Generally, yes. Your visa status doesn’t determine eligibility. You need an acceptable ID and must pass identity proofing. A passport with biometrics is the usual route if you lack US credit records.
What if my name is spelled differently on my passport and document?
Ask the document’s issuer to correct it before your session. Notaries must be satisfied that the ID and signer match the document, and a clear mismatch can stop the notarization.
Ready to get your document notarized with your passport? Start an online notarization with BlueNotary and choose passport and biometric verification when prompted.
