When should a notary use a credible witness?

A notary should use a credible witness when the signer cannot present an ID and is personally unknown to the notary. In situations where the notary does not have sufficient identification to verify the identity of a signer, a credible witness serves as an essential solution. The credible witness must be someone who is not a party to the transaction but can vouch for the identity of the person seeking notarization.

Utilizing a credible witness is critical because it helps maintain the integrity of the notarization process. The witness must be present during the notarization and can confirm the identity of the signer, thereby alleviating any potential risks associated with performing a notarization without proper identification. This provision is designed to enhance security and trust in the notarization process.

Other scenarios, such as expired identification, a birth certificate, or uncertainty about a signer’s intention, do not fulfill the necessary conditions for the involvement of a credible witness. Expired ID would not suffice for identity verification, a birth certificate may not be an acceptable form of ID for notarization, and uncertainty about a signer's intention pertains more to the purpose of the notarization rather than their identity verification.