Florida Notary Public Updates
Can I Notarize When the Person Has No ID?
Many assume that a person must have an I.D. to get a document notarized. However, a notary can sometimes identify a person through "personal knowledge" of that individual's identity.*
*Note: Currently, California is the only state that does not allow notaries to rely solely on personal knowledge to identify someone.
Understanding Personal Knowledge
The definition of "personal knowledge" varies by state, but the concept is the same: a notary can use their personal familiarity with someone to verify their identity. This familiarity usually comes from knowing the person as family, friends, or through regular personal, employment, or business interactions, giving the notary reasonable certainty about the person's identity (see Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts of 2021, Pages 16-17).
Using Personal Knowledge
Notaries need to use good judgment when deciding if they "personally know" someone who lacks identification. This means considering questions like:
- Have my interactions with this person convinced me they are who they claim to be?
- Have these interactions been frequent and over a long enough period?
Avoiding Pitfalls
Notaries should avoid common mistakes, such as assuming a coworker’s nickname is their real name. They should also not assume they know someone well enough if they don’t know their full or given name. If there's any doubt about a person’s identity, the notary should request documentary identification or, where allowed*, identify the individual by means of a credible witness.
* In some states, a notary can identify someone by the oath/affirmation (or a sworn statement) of a "credible witness" who knows the person and meets all credible-witness requirements in the notary's state of commission/appointment.
Finally, to ensure proper notarization and protect the interests of all parties, notaries should refuse to proceed if they are unsure about a person's identity. Always prioritize accuracy and never perform a notarization without the necessary information to properly identify the individual.