In what scenario would you not proceed with a notarization?

Proceeding with a notarization requires certain key elements to be in place, one of the most critical being valid identification of the signer. The identification credential must be current and legally acceptable for the notarization to be considered valid. If the identification provided is invalid—such as expired, not a government-issued ID, or otherwise not meeting the state’s requirements—it poses a significant risk of fraud and undermines the integrity of the notarization process.

In scenarios where the signer appears nervous, has been previously notarized for, or is being recorded for security, these conditions alone do not invalidate the notarization or the necessity of proceeding with it. Nerves can be a natural reaction, and having notarized for the signer before does not disqualify you from doing so again—as long as you meet all other legal requirements. Recording the session for security could be seen as a positive safety measure; it does not prevent the notarization from proceeding. Thus, lacking valid identification directly impacts the ability to move forward with a notarization, underscoring its importance.