What must a Notary do to ensure their notarization is legally valid?

To ensure that a notarization is legally valid, a Notary must ensure proper identification of the signers. This requirement is crucial because verifying the identity of the individuals involved helps to prevent fraud and ensures that the signers are who they claim to be. The Notary must confirm that the signers provide acceptable forms of identification, which may include government-issued IDs with a photo, signature, and physical description that matches the individual appearing before the Notary.

While utilizing a personal seal is a common practice, it is not the sole determining factor for the validity of a notarization. Similarly, completing the notarization at their office is not a legal requirement, as Notaries can perform notarizations in various locations as long as they are within their state jurisdiction. Administering an oath might be necessary for certain types of documents, particularly affidavits, but it is not a universal requirement for all notarizations. Therefore, ensuring proper identification is fundamental to safeguarding the integrity of the notarization process.