If a Notary personally knows a credible witness, do they still need to confirm the identity of that witness?

A notary is required to confirm the identity of a credible witness even if they personally know that witness. This requirement is in place to ensure that the notary adheres to established standards and maintains the integrity of the notarization process. Confirming the identity helps to protect against potential fraud and misunderstandings, ensuring that all parties involved are appropriately verified.

While familiarity with the witness may provide assurance, a notary cannot rely solely on personal acquaintance. This practice reinforces the responsibility of the notary to ensure that proper procedures are followed for every notarization. In situations where a witness's identity is not confirmed through acceptable means, it might compromise the notarization's validity and could result in legal issues later.

Compliance with this requirement is crucial for maintaining the notary's professional standards and upholding the trust placed in the notarial system. Other choices imply scenarios where confirmation might not be necessary, but these do not align with the rigorous standards aimed at protecting against potential misuse of notarizations.