Which form of identification is NOT acceptable for notarization in California?

A birth certificate is not an acceptable form of identification for notarization in California because it does not meet the requirements for identification specified by state law. When a notary public needs to verify the identity of a signer, the law requires the use of a current and valid photo identification issued by a government agency, which contains a signature and the name of the individual.

Driver’s licenses, passports, and government-issued ID cards all meet these criteria as they are recognized forms of identification that provide both a photo and the individual's signature. A birth certificate, on the other hand, does not include a photograph or signature, nor is it issued by a government authority in a way that is suitable for identity verification in the context of notarization. Therefore, it fails to serve the purpose of establishing the signer's identity for notarial actions.