International signers do not necessarily need a U.S. driver license to complete an online notarization. A supported foreign passport may be used when the identity-verification system can validate the credential and complete the required biometric verification.
Published and reviewed by iRemoteNotary
Last reviewed August 15, 2026
Often, yes. Florida law expressly provides that, for an online notarization of a principal located outside the United States, a passport issued by a foreign government may be used as a government-issued identification credential without a USCIS stamp. The passport must still be supported by the identity-verification technology and successfully complete the required credential-analysis and identity-proofing process.
For supported international signers, iRemoteNotary uses credential analysis and biometric identity verification rather than treating U.S.-based knowledge questions as the international verification method. Passport support can vary by issuing country, passport type, document condition, and verification technology, so the passport should be reviewed before the session whenever possible.
One of the most common questions from people outside the United States is whether they can use their own country's passport to notarize a U.S.-related document. The concern is understandable: many online verification systems were originally built around U.S. driver-license records, credit-history data, or other domestic sources.
A foreign passport does not automatically disqualify an international signer. The more useful question is whether the passport is a supported government-issued credential that can be validated by the identity-verification technology used for the session.
That distinction matters. A notary is not simply looking at a passport over video and deciding that it “looks real.” Remote online notarization uses technology-supported identity checks in addition to the live audio-video notarial session.
Florida law is more specific for an international principal than the general identification rule might suggest. Section 117.201 provides that when the principal in an online notarization is outside the United States, a passport issued by a foreign government may be used as the government-issued identification credential even without a USCIS stamp. Section 117.265 separately requires remote presentation of the credential, credential analysis, and identity proofing when the notary does not personally know the signer.
Those provisions address legal eligibility of the credential type. They do not guarantee that a particular RON technology can validate every passport. A signer abroad may have a credential Florida law permits but still encounter a technical limitation if the verification provider cannot successfully perform credential analysis and identity proofing on that passport.
A foreign passport may also arise when a non-applying parent overseas completes Form DS-3053 child passport consent, but verification success and Passport Services acceptance remain separate questions.
The legal requirement and the technical ability of a particular verification system are related but separate questions. The statute does not specify that the credential must be a Florida driver license or even a U.S. driver license.
Read our guide for non-U.S. citizens using online notarization.
For a supported international workflow, identity verification normally begins before the live notary session. The signer is asked to capture or upload the identification credential using the secure verification process provided for the session.
The technology may examine the credential's data, format, security characteristics, machine-readable information, or other validation signals. When biometric verification is used, the system also compares the person completing the identity check with the identity evidence presented.
The goal is not merely to collect a picture of an ID. The goal is to establish reasonable confidence that the credential is authentic and that the person presenting it is the person to whom it was issued.
NIST's current digital-identity guidance describes evidence validation and identity verification as separate functions. Its examples of stronger identity evidence include U.S. passports and qualifying international e-passports. NIST guidance is not itself a notary statute, but it is useful for understanding why modern remote identity systems analyze both the credential and the person presenting it.
No. “Foreign passport accepted” should never be interpreted to mean that every passport from every country will pass every verification system. Several factors can affect whether a passport can be used successfully. Common factors include:
A passport can be genuine and still be unsupported by a particular verification system. That is a technology limitation, not necessarily a judgment about the legitimacy of the passport or its issuing country.
Not necessarily. International signers should not assume that a U.S. driver license is required simply because many domestic online-notary workflows use state-issued driver's licenses or identification cards.
For iRemoteNotary's supported international workflow, the focus is whether the signer has an acceptable government-issued credential that can be successfully analyzed and used for biometric identity verification.
If you have more than one government-issued identification document, it can still be useful to have the additional credential available. However, having multiple IDs does not override a failed credential-analysis or identity-proofing requirement.
See the broader guide to identification used for online notarization.
A foreign passport and a Social Security number serve different purposes. A passport is identity evidence issued by a government. A Social Security number is a U.S. government identifier, but it is not itself a photo identification credential.
For iRemoteNotary's supported international identity workflow, a Social Security number is not required simply because the signer is using a foreign passport. International verification is handled through supported credential analysis and biometric identity verification rather than depending on U.S.-based KBA.
Signers who are concerned because they do not have an SSN should review the dedicated guide: Do international signers need a Social Security number for online notarization?
The notarial session and the identity-verification step are connected, but they are not the same thing. Identity verification establishes who is participating. The live notarial session is where the commissioned online notary communicates with the signer, confirms the required elements of the notarial act, observes the electronic signing, and completes the electronic notarial certificate.
Provide the unsigned document, identify the signer or signers, explain where each signer is physically located, and tell iRemoteNotary when the completed document is needed.
International document support should be checked before the session when possible. If the identity technology cannot validate the passport, discovering that before the scheduled signing saves time.
Follow the secure identity-verification instructions and capture the passport and biometric information requested by the system.
The signer meets with the commissioned online notary through live audio-video communication and completes the required notarial process.
After the session is completed, the electronically signed and notarized document can be delivered according to the service workflow.
See the complete guide to notarizing U.S. documents while abroad.
The identification used to verify a signer does not determine whether the underlying document is eligible for remote online notarization.
A foreign passport may successfully establish identity while the document itself still requires separate review.
Common international requests include powers of attorney, affidavits, real estate documents, corporate documents, parental-consent documents, trust or estate-related forms, and other U.S.-related records.
The correct notarial act, witness requirements, original-document requirements, and receiving-party rules must still be considered.
Do not tell a signer that a document is eligible solely because the passport passed verification.
Successful online notarization does not automatically guarantee that every recipient will accept the document.
Before signing, international customers should identify who will receive the document. That may be an attorney, title company, lender, county recorder, court, government agency, business, school, financial institution, embassy, foreign authority, or private party.
Ask the recipient whether it has any requirements concerning remote online notarization, electronic signatures, witness format, original paper documents, apostilles, authentication, or legalization.
This is particularly important when a U.S.-notarized document will ultimately be presented outside the United States.
A failed automated verification does not necessarily mean the passport is fraudulent. Common problems can include unsupported passport formats, poor image capture, damaged credentials, inconsistent information, technical limitations, or inability of the verification provider to validate the credential.
If verification cannot be completed through the supported RON workflow, the online notarization cannot simply proceed by ignoring the failed identity check.
Depending on the document and destination, alternatives may include another supported credential, a different legally permitted verification workflow, or an in-person notarial service.
U.S. embassies and consulates provide certain in-person notarial services overseas. The U.S. Department of State states that consular notarial appointments require in-person appearance and are not remote or virtual services.
Compare U.S. embassy notarization with remote online notarization.
Send the document and your signer-location information so iRemoteNotary can review the requested session and international identity-verification workflow.
Start an International Notary RequestPotentially, yes. Citizenship alone does not determine whether the signer can use online notarization. The passport must be a supported government-issued credential that can be successfully analyzed, and the signer must complete the required identity-verification process. Document eligibility and recipient requirements must also be satisfied.
Not every verification workflow has the same technical requirements. Some systems can work with different passport formats, while others rely on machine-readable or electronic features. The issuing country and passport type should be checked before the session rather than assuming every passport is supported.
Do not assume an expired passport will be accepted for remote identity verification. International signers should plan to use a current, unexpired government-issued credential that the verification system supports.
Not necessarily. The important issue is whether the government-issued credential being presented can satisfy the applicable credential-analysis and identity-proofing requirements. iRemoteNotary's supported international workflow is designed for signers who may not possess U.S. identification.
A Social Security number is not required simply because you are presenting a foreign passport through iRemoteNotary's supported international workflow. International identity verification is based on supported credential analysis and biometric verification rather than requiring U.S.-based KBA.
The online notarization cannot proceed by bypassing the required identity check. iRemoteNotary can review whether another supported credential or workflow is available. When remote verification is not possible, the signer may need to use another legally appropriate notarization option.
No. Identity verification establishes the signer's identity for the notarization process. The receiving party may still have separate requirements concerning document type, remote notarization, witnesses, electronic format, apostille, authentication, or original documents.
The following primary sources support the legal and procedural information in this guide. Requirements can change, so confirm current rules with the receiving organization before relying on a notarized document.
Florida Statutes § 117.201 — Definitions
Florida Senate
Accessed August 15, 2026
Florida Statutes § 117.265 — Online Notarization Procedures
Florida Senate
Accessed August 15, 2026
Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations
Accessed August 15, 2026
NIST Special Publication 800-63A — Digital Identity Guidelines: Identity Proofing
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Accessed August 15, 2026
Notarial and Authentication Services at U.S. Embassies and Consulates
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
Accessed August 15, 2026
International signers can submit their document and location details for review before scheduling. iRemoteNotary will confirm the requested workflow, identity-verification requirements, and next steps.