There are three preferred ways to verify a signer’s identity:
- The notary’s personal knowledge
- Confirmation by a credible witness
- Valid identification documents
The safest and best way to verify a signer’s identity is by personal knowledge. This kind of verification does not require witnesses or identification documents.
The second way to verify a signer’s identity is through confirmation by a credible witness. The credible witness must have a reputation for integrity, understand the transaction and be impartial in the transaction. It is important to maintain an unbroken chain of personal knowledge. The notary must personally know the witness. The credible witness must personally know the document signer. The notary, the credible witness and the document signer must all be present when notarization occurs. The notary places the credible witness under oath before the document is signed.
The third way to verify a signer’s identity is through valid identification documents. The notary should take reasonable care in examining I.D. cards or papers. There are three features of the I.D. card or papers which should be considered:
- Photograph of the bearer
- Accurate physical description of the bearer
- Signature of the bearer
There are three ways identification can be falsified:
- By counterfeit
- By imposter
- By document alteration
When presented suspicious identification, the notary should refuse to accept it and should refuse to notarize for that person.
2. Place Under Oath/Affirmation Jurats are the authentication of a signature made under oath or affirmation. The signer must personally appear before the notary and be identified by the notary as previously discussed. The notary must place the signer under oath and then watch the signature being written.
What Identification is required for notarization?
Before a Notary Public notarizes your document a Valid identification must be obtained from each person whose signature is to be notarized. Proper identification is necessary since legal consequences of an error are severe. The following examples are good forms of identification:
- Personal acquaintance of the notary
- Driver’s license
- Passport
Foreign passport that has been stamped (within the past five years) by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Photo identification card issued (within the past five years) by a state or branch of the federal government.
Inmate ID Issued by the State Department of Corrections.
Unacceptable forms of Identification include:
- Matricula Consular Card
- Social Security Cards
- Temporary Driver’s Licenses
- Driver’s Licenses without photographs
If there are any questions regarding the acceptability of your identification for the purpose of notarization, please address these questions when you call the Notary Public to schedule your appointment for notarization. This will prevent unnecessary trips where an acceptable form of identification is not available.
Call us today. Call: (321) 626-6607 or (321) 543-5406 or visit our Calendar to schedule your next notarization. We are a Florida Mobile Notary Signing Service in Florida and we are here to serve you and assist you with all of your Notarizations needs.