What does having personal knowledge of a signer mean for a notary?

Having personal knowledge of a signer means that the notary knows the signer well enough to vouch for their identity. This level of familiarity typically involves having interacted with the individual in significant ways, allowing the notary to confidently confirm that the person appearing before them is indeed who they claim to be.

This is an important part of the notarial process, as it helps ensure the integrity of documents being notarized and prevents fraud. A notary relying on personal knowledge does not need additional identification documents to verify the signer's identity because their established relationship with the signer provides adequate assurance.

Other options lack the depth of this relationship required for "personal knowledge." Simply meeting last week may not constitute enough familiarity; seeing someone in public does not guarantee that the notary can vouch for their identity; and having a document proving an acquaintance does not necessarily equate to personal knowledge of the signer's identity or character.