Frequently Asked Questions

The  following types of identification may be used in the State of Oregon. The ID must be current or expired not more than three years.

• A driver license, ID card issued by the DMV, learners permit, provisional or limited term driver license. (Temporary (interim) driver license or temporary ID cards are only good for 30 days.) 

• A United States passport or an officially recognized passport of a foreign country. A United States passport refers to either a U.S. passport or a U.S. passport card issued by the U.S. Department of State. 

• A United States military identification card that contains the person’s photograph and signature. • A Tribal ID card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe that contains the person’s photograph and signature.  

• Other government documents. A document issued by the federal government or a state, county, or local government that contains the person’s photograph and signature. 

• Corrections records. If a person is confined in a correctional facility and needs to have documents notarized, identification used to identify the incarcerated person shall be the ID that is used in the facility to positively identify an inmate through examination or comparison of official government documents or records. 

The notary may also requests additional information or identification credentials necessary to confirm the identity of the individual. 

Satisfactory evidence of identification means that the identification document that a notary public uses to perform a notarial act must: 1) be issued by a federal, state, or tribal government office; 2) be valid and current; (in Oregon, not expired more than 3 years) 3) contain the photographic image of the bearer; 4) have an accurate physical description of the bearer; and 5) include the signature of the bearer.

A notary public may not notarize a document if the notary cannot establish the identity of the signer through the state’s legal requirements of satisfactory evidence. The document requiring the notarization must contain the name of the signer in conjunction with the name on the state or federal identification card so that the notary can positively verify the identity of the signer.

No. A notary public may not use a copy of a driver’s license to confirm the identity of a signer to notarize a document. The ID must be the original issued by the State or Federal Government. 

No. A notary public may not notarize a document if the notary cannot establish the identity of the signer through the state’s legal requirements of satisfactory evidence. The document requiring the notarization must contain the name of the signer in conjunction with the name on the state or federal identification card so that the notary can positively verify the identity of the signer.

No.   Apostille for a document issued in Oregon is handled by the Secretary of State's Office.

You can mail or deliver your request to:

Corporation Division
255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151
Salem OR 97310 

No. To obtain certified copies of records from the Oregon Center for Health Statistics (vital records) call (971) 673-1190.