How can a notary verify a signer's identity?

A notary verifies a signer's identity primarily through personal knowledge or satisfactory evidence. Personal knowledge means the notary is familiar with the signer’s identity based on prior interactions that can confirm the person’s identity reliably. This is often the most straightforward method and is efficient in situations where the signer is known personally.

Satisfactory evidence comes into play when the notary does not have personal knowledge of the signer. This involves obtaining proof of identity from documents or other reliable means. Acceptable forms of satisfactory evidence include government-issued identification cards or documents that contain the signer's signature and photo, such as a driver's license or passport.

Combining both personal knowledge and satisfactory evidence ensures that the notary is adhering to the legal standards required to confirm identities, thereby providing an extra layer of security and reliability in the notarization process. This multi-faceted approach helps prevent fraud and verifies that the individual presenting for notarization is indeed who they claim to be.