What identification can a Notary Public accept for verifying the identity of a signer?

A Notary Public can accept any government-issued photo ID or document containing the signer's name as valid identification for verifying the identity of a signer. This includes a variety of identification types such as a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or other official documents that include both a photo and the signer's name. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that the notary can reliably confirm that the individual presenting the document is indeed who they claim to be, thus maintaining the integrity of the notarization process.

Government-issued photo IDs tend to be the most secure forms of identification because they typically undergo a thorough issuance process, thus minimizing the risk of fraud. By allowing a range of government-issued forms of ID, such as state-issued driver's licenses and passports, notaries can ensure they accommodate signers who may not have a single specific form of ID but possess valid identification under different circumstances. In contrast, social media identification is not an acceptable form of ID because it does not meet the criteria of being an official government-issued document and lacks the same level of verification and security. Therefore, the broader acceptance of any government-issued photo ID helps facilitate notarizations effectively while ensuring adequate identity verification.