What should a notary do if approached by someone with an expired ID?

A notary public has a responsibility to ensure that they are verifying the identity of the individuals appearing before them. When someone presents an expired ID, it does not meet the current requirements for identification as established by notary laws. The notary's role is to verify the identity of the signer, and using an expired ID poses a risk, as the authenticity of that identification cannot be guaranteed.

Choosing not to proceed with notarization unless a valid, unexpired form of identification is provided is the correct course of action. Valid IDs help prevent potential fraud and maintain the integrity of the notarization process. By requiring updated identification, the notary is protecting themselves, the signers, and the public at large from possible legal issues that could arise from using an expired identification.

Other options would not align with best practices for notary conduct. For instance, proceeding with notarization based on personal knowledge of the signer may not be sufficient, as it does not adhere to the required standards for identity verification. Asking for another form of identification could be reasonable, but without any valid ID, the notary should refrain from completing the notarization entirely. Contacting law enforcement for verification is unnecessary and not within the normal scope of a notary's duties when faced with an