Who is responsible for verifying a signer’s identity?

The responsibility for verifying a signer’s identity falls squarely on the notary public. This is a crucial aspect of a notary's duties, as the notary must ensure that the person appearing before them is indeed who they claim to be. To do this, the notary typically examines acceptable forms of identification that contain a photograph and a signature, such as a driver's license or a passport.

This process is vital to prevent fraud and protect the integrity of the notarization process, as a notary must be certain that the signer is competent and understands the document they are signing. By establishing the identity of the signer, the notary fulfills their legal obligations and enhances the reliability of the notarized document.

Other options do not bear this responsibility. The signer is expected to provide accurate information and present valid identification but does not verify their own identity. Witnesses may be present during the notarization, but they are not tasked with verifying the signer's identity as part of the notarial act. Similarly, the person requesting the notarization may have an interest in the transaction but is also not responsible for identity verification. Thus, the onus lies with the notary to ensure the identity of signers for the notarial process to be valid and legally