What verification must a Notary conduct before notarizing a document?

The verification that a Notary must conduct before notarizing a document involves confirming the signer's identity. This is a critical step in the notarization process because the primary role of the Notary Public is to ensure that the person signing the document is who they claim to be. To verify the identity, the Notary typically requires the signer to provide acceptable forms of identification, such as a state-issued driver’s license, passport, or other government-issued identification that includes a photo and is current.

This verification process helps prevent fraud and ensures that the transaction is legitimate. By establishing the signer's identity, the Notary Public can confidently attest to the authenticity of the signature on the document, which is crucial for the document’s legal validity.

The other options, such as the legitimacy of the document and the necessity for notarization, while important, do not take precedence over the requirement of verifying the signer's identity. A background check of the signer is not a standard procedure for Notaries and falls outside their responsibilities, and notarization necessity is determined by the circumstances surrounding the document, not by the Notary's verification duties. Therefore, confirming the identity of the signer is clearly fundamental to the integrity of the notarization process.