What must a notary do if the signer does not have an ID?

In the context of notary responsibilities, if the signer does not possess valid identification, the most appropriate course of action is to refuse to notarize the document. Notaries are required to verify the identity of the signer through credible identification to ensure the integrity of the notarization process and to prevent fraud. Acceptable forms of ID typically include government-issued photo identification that contains the signer’s name, photograph, signature, and an expiration date.

Refusing to notarize without proper identification is essential to uphold legal standards and protect all parties involved in the transaction. By ensuring that the signer is properly identified, the notary maintains the authenticity of the notarization process, thereby safeguarding against potential issues of identity theft or fraud. In other scenarios, such as allowing notarization without verification or relying on a witness signature, the notary could compromise the legitimacy of the notarization, which is contrary to the established notarial regulations.