he simply said I take a EM contract photo copy it 100 times then just write in new address and offer amount and sling them out...

So they'd write this template by hand, then photocopy with high-quality printers onto actual lined yellow legal pad paper ripped off a legal pad, and then the SAME guy who wrote the template would go and write in the owner's name and the address on each one by hand.

I required a photocopy of photo ID to verify their info. 

(WA Driver’s License #) [photocopy provided].Renter: Mr/Ms.

@Bruce Woodruff Yeah I'm guessing every municipality is different, that just seems to be the norm in Ct. even when we do excavation on a property where a structure already exists we just have the occupant of the building slap it in the front window along with the crew on the job usually having a photocopy with them as well (which is just our company's protocol).Another caveat around here, homeowners can pull some permits without a license for some tasks generally as long as it isn't major structural work, major electrical work and possibly major plumbing work (those require licensed contractors to pull). 

You can have them fax a photocopy of their drivers license and request that they leave a card on the counter, which they usually do anyways.

can you photocopy a lot of them and stick them on those little memory sticks and hide them away along with other super important stuff in a safety deposit box?

It was a cut/paste/photocopy job.

But I've always had to show a photo ID whenever I checked into a motel (I know the ID was often photocopied, but I don't remember if it was always photocopied).

Included in our rent invoice each month was a photocopy of the current water and sewer bill; the owner would pay it, but then when we'd write the rent check each month, the check would be for the rent plus whatever amount was billed for the water/sewer.