When a notary performs signature witnessing, what must they verify?

When a notary performs signature witnessing, it is essential for them to verify the identity of the signer. This is a fundamental responsibility of a notary public to ensure that the person signing the document is who they claim to be. Proper identification helps prevent fraud and assures that the document is signed by the correct individual, thereby maintaining the integrity of the notarization process.

The verification of identity typically involves checking a government-issued photo ID or another form of acceptable identification that includes the signer’s name and photograph. This step is crucial because it establishes the authenticity of the signature and ensures legal compliance in the notarization process.

While other factors such as the notary's credentials, the location of the notarization, and the signer's understanding of the document may be relevant in certain contexts, they do not directly relate to the core requirement of identity verification that a notary must carry out during signature witnessing.