How Caregivers Can Help a Loved One Get a Document Notarized with an Expired ID

Caring for our dearest family and friends is so important. In this blog, we will share more about how someone in a long-term or assisted care facility can use their expired ID if it is less than 5 years expired.

How Caregivers Can Help a Loved One Get a Document Notarized with an Expired ID (Virginia Notary Guide)

Caring for an aging parent or family member often involves helping them with important legal documents. But what if they need something notarized — such as a Power of Attorney or Advance Medical Directive — and their ID has expired?

As a Virginia Notary Public and Remote Online Notary, I regularly assist caregivers in navigating this situation. Fortunately, Virginia law allows notarization using an expired ID in specific circumstances as long as the requirements in Virginia Code § 47.1‑2 are met.

1. Source: Virginia Law

2. Source: National Notary Association

Virginia Law on Expired IDs for Notarization

Under Virginia Code § 47.1‑2, a notary may accept a government-issued photo ID that has expired if it was issued within the past five years and includes:

• A clear photo

• The holder’s signature

• Physical description or date of birth

• Issued by a U.S. federal, state, or tribal authority

Additionally, for individuals residing in assisted living facilities or nursing homes, an expired ID from a U.S. passport, foreign passport, or state-issued driver’s license is valid if it expired within five years.

How Caregivers Can Prepare for a Notary Appointment

Here are five practical steps caregivers can take when helping someone with an expired ID:

1. Verify the Expiration: Check the issue and expiration dates. If the ID expired within the last five years, it may qualify under Virginia law.

2. Provide Backup Options: If the ID expired more than five years ago, you can use credible witness testimony or supplemental identification. Virginia law allows this under the "satisfactory evidence of identity" provision.

3. Consider Remote Online Notarization (RON): Virginia supports remote notarization, using credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication (KBA) for identity verification. This option is especially convenient for homebound or elder individuals. Virginia Law

4. Support Without Speaking for the Signer: Caregivers should help ensure the signer can hear, understand, and interact with the notary to confirm identity and express consent—not act on their behalf.

5. Choose an Experienced Notary: I'm happy to help! Call me at 804-625-4975.

   
   

   As an understanding notary who works frequently with elder care and estate planning I can make the process clearer and more comfortable for your loved one.

   
   

   I provide mobile notary and remote online notarization services across Richmond, Glen Allen, Chester, Mechanicsville, Charlottesville, and surrounding areas. Whether you're assisting with estate planning, medical directives, or other critical documents, I’m committed to making the process respectful and accessible

   
   

   💡 Need help notarizing with an expired ID? Contact me to schedule a notary visit or discuss identity options.