What is required to properly identify a signer?

Proper identification of a signer is essential in notary practice to ensure the integrity of the documents being notarized and to protect against fraud. Valid identification, particularly a government-issued ID, is a reliable means to verify a person's identity. These forms of identification generally include a driver's license, passport, or state ID, all of which contain essential details such as the individual’s name, photograph, and signature, which notaries use to confirm that the person appearing before them is indeed the individual they claim to be.

Using knowledge of a signer’s family, references, or a social security number is insufficient or not recommended practice in notary procedures. Family knowledge and personal references do not provide a definitive means of identification and could be too subjective. Additionally, relying on a social security number poses significant privacy risks and does not serve as a valid method of verifying identity when a signer is in front of a notary. Therefore, the requirement of valid identification is a best practice that establishes legal and personal safeguards in notarial acts.