What must a notary require from the signer during a notarization?

During a notarization, the notary must require the personal appearance of the signer. This is a fundamental requirement because notarization involves verifying the identity of the person requesting the notary's services and ensuring that they are willingly signing the document. The personal presence allows the notary to observe the signer and confirm that they are acting of their own volition and not under duress or coercion.

While other factors may play a role in the notarization process, such as the identification of the signer, the most critical requirement is that the signer physically appears before the notary. This ensures the notary can properly perform their duties, which includes administering an oath, if necessary, or simply witnessing the signing of the document.

In some situations, a notary may also request a government-issued ID to verify the signer's identity or might work with witnesses depending on the type of document, but none of these elements can substitute for the necessity of the signer's personal appearance.