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California legal term

government document in California Criminal Law

Current through 2026 California legislative session

In California criminal law, “government document” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.

What does “government document” mean in California criminal law?

“government document” means any document issued by the United States government or any state or local government, including, but not limited to, any passport, immigration visa, employment authorization card, birth certificate, driver’s license, identification card, or social security card. (Cal. Penal Code § 112)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.