New York State Notary Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

When a signer cannot provide identification, the appropriate action for a notary is to decline to notarize the document. This is crucial because the notary's role is to verify the identity of signers to ensure the integrity of the notarization process. Without proper identification, the notary cannot be confident in the identity of the individual, which is essential for preventing fraud and ensuring that the documents being notarized are valid.

Notarization is a serious legal act that entails confirming that the signer is who they claim to be, and this assurance is typically provided through valid government-issued identification. If a signer lacks identification, it puts the notary in a difficult position, as the notary's duty to act responsibly and protect against potential misuse of the notarization is paramount. Documentation or other informal means to vouch for a signer's identity, like asking a relative, is not an appropriate substitute for formal identification and does not meet the legal requirements established for notarizations.

Thus, the decision to decline to notarize when identification cannot be established aligns with the notary's obligations under New York law, reinforcing the importance of verifying identity in maintaining the integrity of the notarization process.