Please read the following before proceeding:
- Is your document completely filled out with the exception of the signature portion?
- Yes: Proceed.
- No: Please fill out all sections of the document and then come back to ask for Notary. DO NOT SIGN THE DOCUMENT UNTIL YOU ARE IN THE PRESENCE OF A NOTARY.
- Is your document on the list of documents we are unable to notarize?
- There are some types of documents we are unable to help with. This list is not exhaustive, and the notary has discretion to determine if a document is not something within their scope. But we are never able to assist with the following:
- Wills
- Certified, Notarized or Apostilled Diplomas or Transcripts (please contact the registrar)
- Certified copies of a government issued document such a birth certificate (please contact the government office that issued the document)
- Is your document in English?
- Yes: Proceed.
- No: Can someone that you can bring in to the office translate the document into English and sign a sworn statement in front of a notary that it is a true and accurate translation?
- Yes: Once your translation has been completed and attached to the original foreign language document, both you and your translator may come during notary hours to have your document notarized. Both of you will need to sign the document and will need to have an acceptable government-issued ID with you.
- No: We are unable to assist. You will need to locate a notary who can read the language of your document.*
- How many notarizations do you need?**
- 1-2: Proceed.
- 3 or more: Be sure to notify the front desk during scheduling that your document will require 3 or more signatures or notarial acts.
- Does your document require witness?
- Yes: You will need to schedule an appointment with our office at a time when you can bring your own witnesses. Please be sure to bring the number of witnesses required by your document with you. We are not able to provide any witnesses; we only provide the notary service.
- No: Proceed.
- Do you have one of the following with you: State issued driver license or ID card, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID, ID card issued by federally recognized Indian tribe, or other photo identification issued by the federal government or state? (Identification issued by a foreign government may not be accepted.)
- Yes: Proceed.
- No: You will need to return with a government-issued ID. See below for the complete list of approved forms of ID.
We are unable to notarize certified copies of many public records documents, such as birth certificates or documents signed by a judge or court clerk. You must obtain certified copies of these documents from the issuing agency. Our office can certify black and white copies of a passport or driver license. A photograph cannot be notarized.
*Bilingual notaries can be found at consulates and embassies and sometimes in the Yellow Pages. Translators are often notaries. A simple Google search will usually reveal notaries who are in your area that are eager to notarize in other languages.
**The total number of notarizations includes copies. For example, if you need 3 different documents notarized, that is 3 notarizations. If you need 3 certified copies of the same document notarized, that is also 3 notarizations.
If you can confirm that you have read all of the above and you are ready to proceed having your document notarized, please show your PSU ID to our front desk and let them know you are ready.
Acceptable forms of ID:
Identification Documents—the following types of identification may be used to positively identify a client, if they are current or that expired not more than three years before the performance of the notarial act.
- A driver's license, ID card issued by the DMV, learners permit, provisional or limited-term driver license.
- Temporary driver's 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.
- An identity card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe.
- A document issued by the federal government or a state, county or local government that contains the person’s photograph and signature.
Matricular Consular ID is NOT Acceptable
Several Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, are allowing their consulates to issue matricular consular ID to their citizens in the United States, or issue the matricular consular ID to those who come to the U.S. Oregon does not recognize matricular consular ID. We’ve been advised by our Deputy Attorney General that Oregon notarial law sets out an exclusive list of “Identification Documents” a notary may rely on in verifying the identity of a person. That list does not include matricular consular ID.