Can a Notary use personal knowledge to establish the identity of the signer?

The correct answer indicates that a Notary cannot solely rely on personal knowledge to establish a signer's identity. In California, the Notary Public must adhere to specific guidelines that require valid identification for notarizations. The purpose of these regulations is to minimize the risk of fraud and ensure that the Notary can verify the signer’s identity using a reliable form of identification.

While personal knowledge of the signer can contribute to identifying them, it is not sufficient on its own for notarization purposes. Instead, Notaries are generally required to see a government-issued identification (like a driver’s license or passport) that includes a photograph, signature, and physical description. This protocol adds an additional layer of verification to protect both the signers and the integrity of the notarization process.

Consequently, the other choices suggest various allowances for using personal knowledge, which are not supported by California law. The regulations are designed to ensure uniformity and security in the notarization process, making the reliance solely on personal knowledge not an acceptable practice.