Identifying Our Customers

Satisfactory Evidence

“Current” means having an issue date which is prior to the notarial act.

A U.S. passport or passport card which is current and unexpired.
A foreign passport which is current and unexpired, in a language the notary understands.
A U.S. driver’s license or non-driver identification card which is current and unexpired; or
A Canadian or Mexican driver’s license or non-driver identification card, which is current and unexpired, in a language the notary understands.

Other forms of government identification must be current, must contain the individual’s signature or photograph, and must be satisfactory to the notary:

U.S. armed forces identification card
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections inmate identification card issued to an inmate currently in the Department’s custody
U.S. Department of Homeland Security identification card
Social Security card
Medicare card
Pennsylvania state and state-related university identification card

Personal Knowledge

The notary has personal knowledge of an individual’s identity when the notary has interacted with the individual over time and in different situations, so the notary can be reasonably certain that the individual has the identity claimed. When a notary has personal knowledge of an individual’s identity, satisfactory evidence is not required.

Credible Witness

The notary must personally know the credible witness. The credible witness must personally know the document signer. The credible witness cannot have a direct or pecuniary interest in the transaction. The credible witness must make a written verification on oath or affirmation that each of the following is true:

The signer in front of the notary is the individual named in the document.
The signer does not have any form of ID authorized by law to establish identity.
The credible witness personally knows the signer; and
The credible witness does not have a direct or pecuniary interest in the transaction.