What are acceptable forms of identification for a notarial act?

Acceptable forms of identification for a notarial act primarily include personal knowledge of the signer or a government-issued ID. This means that a notary can either rely on the personal acquaintance that they have with the signer or ask for a form of identification that is issued by a government authority, such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport.

Using personal knowledge allows the notary to confirm the identity of the signer based on prior interactions, which can be especially useful in instances where formal ID is not available. Meanwhile, government-issued identification serves as a reliable verification method because these forms of ID are generally recognized as trustworthy documents that include essential details such as the individual’s name, photo, and signature.

In contrast, a bank statement is not an acceptable form of ID for a notarial act because it does not provide a reliable means of verifying identity in the same way a government-issued ID does. Bank statements contain personal information, but they lack the official verification and features that a notarial act requires. This distinction emphasizes the importance of using proper identification that satisfies legal and procedural requirements for notary services.