So, you've searched for 'mobile notary near me' or 'Nashville notary near me' and found a notary to fit your needs. Great! You've got your documents ready and know how many signatures you need. Awesome! But, wait. Your ID is expired. You don't have a passport or military ID and your driver's license is sadly expired. What can you do?
Fear not. TN has a special loop hole that allows for people who have an expired ID of any kind to still get their documents notarized. There are, in fact, 2 loopholes that will allow you to get your document notarized by a mobile notary near you.
1. Check the issue date
The TN Notary Handbook specifically states that any of the acceptable IDs are still valid "if the document is current or has been issued within 5 years." This is great news. First, check if your ID has been issued within the past 5 years. If so, you're in the clear! You can still get your documents notarized by a mobile notary near you. This goes for any document that a mobile notary is responsible for, including: I-9s, marriage licenses, general notary work, or real estate documents. But, let's say it hasn't been issued within 5 years. Then what?
2. Use a Credible Witness
There is one last thing that the TN code allows for if your ID is both expired and not issued within the last 5 years. You may use a credible witness. A credible witness is anyone personally known to the officer/notary that can attest to the notary that the signer making the acknowledgment is personally known to the witness. That was kind of confusing. Basically, a credible witness knows both the notary and the signer. Because they know the notary, the notary can trust that they are being truthful about knowing that the signer is who they say they are.
This is fairly rare, but is valid regarding TN notary laws. Furthermore, it is the only way a notary can notarize a document of a person who does not have acceptable ID. The notary public handbook describes "personally known" as meaning, "Having an acquaintance, derived from association with the individual in relation to other people and based upon a chain of circumstances surrounding the individual, which establishes the individual’s identity with at least reasonable certainty."
This basically means that the credible witness really does have to know the notary in a real, personal sense in order to vouch for the signer. They cannot be a random person or simply provide ID to become 'credible.' There needs to be a personal acquaintance established with the notary beforehand for the notary to take their word regarding the unverified signer.
I know that was a lot of information, but stay with me! These are the only legal and appropriate ways for a notary public near you to notarize the documents of someone with an unacceptable ID/lack of ID. Any notary who notarizes a document of a person without proper ID (in spite of these laws) risks their license and could possibly be sued. If you do not have an expired ID issued within 5 years and do not know a credible witness, then it is in your best interest to simply apply for a new ID. If you can't receive a driver's license for whatever reason, try to obtain a simple state ID, as that is acceptable to notaries.
Once you have the correct ID, then simply reach out to NNN to book your appointment. Our notary will be sure to make certain that everything is correct and follows TN guidelines. If you have any questions, just reach out!