Ace the Illinois Notary Primer 2025 – Your Journey to Notary Stardom Starts Here!

To authenticate a signature during notarization, a government-issued ID or acceptable identification is required. This identification serves as proof of the signer's identity, which is critical for the notarization process. The notary must verify that the individual who is signing the document is indeed who they claim to be, and a government-issued ID provides a reliable and official source of identification.

While personal knowledge of the signer can support the notary's assurance, it does not replace the need for acceptable identification. Similarly, while witnesses can be present during the signing, their presence is not a requirement or substitute for verifying the identity of the signer. A verbal confirmation by the signer, while relevant, also does not suffice as independent verification of identity; therefore, having a government-issued ID is the most robust and typically required method to authenticate a signature in the notarization process.