How does a Notary verify the identity of a signer?

To verify the identity of a signer, a Notary Public examines a valid form of identification. This process is essential in ensuring that the individual is indeed who they claim to be and that they are authorized to sign the document in question. A valid form of ID typically includes government-issued identification such as a driver's license or passport, which contains a photograph and other identifiers that can be matched with the person present.

Using a valid ID is critical because it relies on official documentation that has been vetted by a government authority, thereby providing a higher level of assurance regarding the signer's identity. The Notary must ensure that the identification is current and not expired, as expired forms of ID may not provide reliable verification.

Other methods, like asking personal questions or checking a database, might not provide the same level of reliability and can lead to situations where identity verification is compromised. Personal questions may not effectively confirm identity due to the possibility of someone having prior knowledge of the answers, and databases may not always be accessible or up-to-date. Comparing signatures on multiple documents may also not be effective unless the Notary has a known sample of the individual's signature, which isn't always practical or possible.