The most common method of verifying a signer’s identity is to look at some form of identifying documents. The Washington State notary statutes point out several options for documents that a notary can use to verify a signer’s identity:

• A passport
• A driver’s license
• A government-issued identification card
• Another form of government identification that contains the signature or photograph of the individual and is satisfactory to the notary

Washington State offers two other methods for identity verification:

1.  Personal Knowledge: if your notary already knows you personally.  The notarial statute (RCW 42.45.050) says that a notarial officer “has personal knowledge of the identity of an individual appearing before the officer if the individual is personally known to the officer through dealings sufficient to provide reasonable certainty that the individual has the identity claimed.”
2. Credible Witness: In order to use this method, a third-party witness must swear an oath and sign that the signing party to the document is who they say they are. The witness must be credible and personally known to the notary (see above on personal knowledge) and needs to provide identifying documents to prove their identity. Finally, both the signer and the witness must appear physically in front of the notary during the notarial act.

A notary can accept any identifying document that is either current, or expired for less than three years.

We are a mobile notary service provider based in Silverdale, WA, and will travel to meet you for your appointment!

We service all of Kitsap County: Silverdale, Bremerton, Keyport, Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island, Kingston, Hansville, Seabeck, Port Orchard.

Additionally, we will travel to limited areas of Jefferson County on request.