What is required for a notary to notarize someone's signature?

For a notary to properly notarize someone's signature, it is essential for both the notary and the signer to be present at the same time. This presence ensures that the notary can verify the identity of the signer and confirm their willingness to sign the document without any coercion. The interaction allows the notary to assess the signer's understanding of the documents they are signing and to provide any necessary explanations.

While it is important for the signer to provide identification, simply having them present alone does not fulfill the complete requirements. Additional identification verification may be needed, depending on the notary's judgment or state requirements, but the fundamental requirement remains that both parties must be physically present during the notarization process. The involvement of witnesses, while potentially useful in some contexts, is not a universal requirement for notarization and typically depends on the type of document being notarized or specific legal requirements. Therefore, the answer is centered around the mutual presence of both the notary and the signer as a critical aspect of the notarization process.