Navigating Matricula Consular Cards in Notary Public Practices

As the real estate market continues to surge in bank-owned property sales, Notaries are frequently faced with the challenge of authenticating identities when the sole form of identification presented is a Matricula Consular card. In this blog post, we explore the nuances surrounding Matricula Consular cards and offer insights into best practices for Notaries, ensuring a secure and compliant notarization process.

Understanding Matricula Consular Cards:

Matricula Consular cards, also known as the Matricula Consular de Alta Seguridad and Mexican CID cards, are issued by Mexican consulates to Mexican citizens residing outside of Mexico. The debate surrounding their acceptance revolves around the necessity in an age where photo identification is imperative for daily transactions.

Supporters argue that Matricula cards enhance security, reduce fraud, and facilitate integration into the financial community. On the other hand, opponents claim that these cards are insecure and mainly required by undocumented immigrants. Notably, the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI express concerns about the vulnerability of Matricula Consular cards to tampering, fraud, and forgery, with only two states, Nevada and Illinois, explicitly allowing Notaries to accept them.

Challenges in Notarizing Matricula Consular Card Holders:

In the context of bank-owned property sales, where cash transactions are prevalent, Notaries are often confronted with signers presenting only a Matricula card as identification. Despite the casual dismissal by some agents, Notaries must uphold their responsibility in verifying identities, as proper identification is paramount in notarizing any document.

Best Practices for Notaries: To navigate the challenges associated with Matricula Consular cards, Notaries can adopt the following best practices:

Familiarize yourself with state laws:

1. Review your state’s Notary handbook to understand the regulations regarding acceptable forms of identification, including Matricula Consular cards. State handbooks are typically available on the Secretary of State’s website.
2. Conclusion: As Notaries encounter an increasing number of Matricula Consular card holders, it becomes essential to navigate the associated challenges with diligence and adherence to regulations. By staying informed, educating themselves, and having a robust plan in place, Notaries can fulfill their duty to verify identities, ensuring a secure notarization process.