In addition to making a notarial entry, what is required for a complete notarization?

For a notarial act to be considered complete and valid, verifying the signer's identity is an essential component. This verification process ensures that the person appearing before the notary is indeed who they claim to be, thereby protecting the integrity of the notarization and preventing fraud. This typically involves the notary examining an acceptable form of identification that includes the signer's photo, signature, and a physical description.

While other options may seem relevant, they do not fulfill the core requirements for a notarization. For instance, the presence of a witness is not universally necessary for all types of notarizations and depends on the specific transaction or document in question. Similarly, personal recommendations or confirmation calls do not serve as mandatory components of the notarization process and can introduce unnecessary risks or complications. Therefore, the verification of the signer's identity remains the fundamental requirement that must be fulfilled to ensure a proper notarization.