What constitutes satisfactory evidence of identity?

Satisfactory evidence of identity is crucial for a notary public to ensure the person signing a document is indeed who they claim to be. Proper identification typically refers to official government-issued IDs, such as a driver's license or passport, which contain a photo and signature, making them reliable sources for verifying identity.

Credible identifying witnesses can also serve as a form of satisfactory evidence. These witnesses must be personally known to the notary and have personal knowledge of the signer’s identity. They should be disinterested parties, meaning they do not stand to gain from the transaction, adding to the reliability of the identification process.

The combination of credible identifying witnesses to vouch for a signer's identity alongside proper identification provides a robust method for ensuring that the notary is properly verifying the identity of individuals. This dual approach is what makes the combination of the two (options regarding credible witnesses and proper identification) the most reliable form of satisfactory evidence of identity.