Pennsylvania Notary Public Practice Exam

A valid form of government-issued identification is essential for a notary to confirm a signer's identity because it provides an official way to verify that the individual presenting themselves is indeed who they claim to be. The identification must include the signer's photograph and signature, which helps the notary ensure that the person signing the document is properly identified and that they are not signing under duress or false pretense. This practice safeguards the integrity of the notarization process and helps prevent fraud.

While having a witness present during the signing may be beneficial in certain situations, it is not a legal requirement for identity confirmation. Similarly, a signed affidavit from the signer does not sufficiently verify identity since it relies on the signer's own assertion, which may not be reliable without supporting identification. A social security number is also not required for identity verification in the same way a government-issued ID is, as it can be sensitive personal information that might not be immediately verifiable in the context of notarization. Thus, the requirement of a valid government-issued ID is paramount in ensuring the notary can accurately confirm a signer's identity.