Part 4, Section 1
Checking Identification

Driver’s Licenses.  The most common form of identification you will probably see is the California Driver’s License.  At some point, you may be presented with identification that you find questionable.  Fortunately, the State of California has devised several fraud-deterrents into the California Driver’s License cards.  You should be aware of and look for these with every California license you check for identification:

• Two pictures of the individual, one large on the left, and one smaller one on the right
• A holographic image of the State Seal of California and the letters “DMV” in a continuous line across the card
• A magnetic strip across the top of the back of the card

Always have the signer remove their identification from their wallet or wherever they keep it, and hand it to you.  The card should have the look and feel of a plastic credit card, not paper.  Look at the edges of the pictures to make sure there are no obvious signs of unevenness or frayed layers coming loose.   

Compare the name on the license to the name signed on the document. 

Look at the picture, then look at the signer.  Some pictures may be several years old, so look closely and ensure that there are similar features such as nose, mouth, and eyes.  Read the physical description to double-verify this. 

Make sure that the driver license is current, or if expired, that it had been issued within the past 5 years.  The issue date is at the very bottom, below the signature.

Compare the signature on the driver license to the signature on the document.  It should look basically the same.  Some people do alter their signatures over the years and the signature on the license may be several years old.  However, if they are not exactly the same, you should be able to see basic similarities between the two signatures.

In your journal, write the description of the identifying document, such as, CA Driver’s License, the license number, the expiration date, the issue date, and the date of birth.  The issue date and date of birth are sometimes required by mortgagors who are required to comply with Patriot Act laws, so it is a good idea to note this information in your journal in case it is ever requested.

Out-of-state driver licenses are acceptable forms of identification, as well as driver licenses from Mexico and Canada, but the license must have been issued within the last 5 years and contain the signer’s photograph, personal description and signature, and have an identifying number.

Passports.  You may accept a US Passport or a foreign passport stamped by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, as identification of an individual.  The passport will have a photograph of the individual, their name and date of birth, the issuance date of the passport, their signature, and an identifying number.  It will not have a physical description of the individual.  In your journal, note the document as US (or other country) Passport and the identifying number, the date of issuance and date of birth.
 

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