ACCEPTABLE ID FOR CLOSING
Toward the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Abbott of Texas issued an Emergency Declaration covering all counties in the State of Texas. Part of this Declaration included a moratorium and leniency regarding the renewal of Texas Drivers Licenses and Identification. Accordingly, during the State of Emergency, title companies and notaries were able to accept those drivers’ licenses which expired during the time the Declaration was in effect as valid identification, despite their expiration.
However, effective April 14th of 2021, The Governor’s Emergency Declaration which waived renewal of expiration dates on Texas Driver’s licenses and identification cards was terminated. Accordingly, it is essential to know that an expired driver’s license cannot and will not be accepted as valid ID at closing!
Information on your options for how to Renew your Texas Driver’s License or Identification Card can be found at the following link: dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/how-renew-your-texas-driver-license-motorcycle-license-or-identification
If you don’t have sufficient time to receive the renewed Identification, we can accept the expired identification together with the temporary identification until the renewal is received.
We would like to also take this time to remind you of the PRIMARY valid forms of identification that are acceptable for closing and notary purposes, as follows:
- Valid, Unexpired Texas or Out-of-State Driver’s License with a photo
- Valid, Unexpired Official State-issued Texas or Out-of-State Identification Card with a photo
- Valid, Unexpired United States Passport Book or Passport Card
- Unexpired U.S. Military ID card for active duty, reserve, or retired personnel with identifiable photo
If you or your client does not have any of the above (for example, if the client is not a United States citizen), there are also acceptable forms of Identification from DHS that may be acceptable, as well as Foreign Passports under certain circumstances. Please reach out to your Escrow Team at Heritage in advance of closing to discuss those individual circumstances to ensure you or your client comes to closing with acceptable identification.
As always, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING HERITAGE TITLE COMPANY THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLETE YOUR TRANSACTION! WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU!
