What is the first action a notary must take when conducting a remote notarization?

The primary responsibility of a notary during any notarization, including remote notarization, is to verify the identity of the signer. This ensures that the person signing the document is indeed who they claim to be, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the notarization process. In the context of remote notarization, acceptable methods for identifying the signer may include personal knowledge, government-issued identification, or an identity verification service.

Completing this critical step first allows the notary to establish confidence in the transaction before moving on to other tasks, such as preparing documents or holding meetings. Only after confirming the signer's identity can the notary proceed with the notarization process, as this foundational action supports the legality and validity of the notarized document.