For a notarial act to be valid, how must identification documents be at the time of the act?

The validity of a notarial act heavily relies on the identification of the individual requesting the notary's services. For a notarial act to be conducted properly and legally, identification documents must be current and valid. This ensures that the notary can confidently verify the identity of the signer, establishing that they are who they claim to be at the time of the notarization.

Using current and valid identification minimizes the risk of fraud and ensures that the notary is acting in accordance with legal requirements. Valid forms of identification typically include government-issued photo IDs, such as a driver's license or passport, which display an individual's photo and signature along with their personal information.

Other options suggest scenarios that do not align with the standards of notarial practice. Expired identification could potentially lead to uncertainty about the identity of the individual, and accepting identification in different forms or requiring photocopies might not meet the legal criteria necessary for the notarization process. Clear, up-to-date identification is essential for maintaining the integrity and legality of notarial acts.