New York State Notary Practice Exam

Using three credible witnesses to affirm a signer's identity is a valid method for a notary to confirm identity when a photo ID is not available. This process is rooted in the notarial standards that allow for alternative ways to verify identity. When three credible witnesses affirm that they know the signer personally and can attest to their identity, it establishes a reliable basis for the notary to proceed with the notarization.

Credible witnesses must be individuals who are not parties to the document being notarized, ensuring there is no conflict of interest. Their testimonies provide a level of assurance to the notary that the signer is who they claim to be. This practice is especially useful when the signer does not possess a valid form of identification or when circumstances prevent access to such identification.

In contrast, while requiring previous documents, seeking verification from another notary, or having a signed statement from the signer may offer certain levels of information, they do not meet the standard for confirming identity as robustly as the testimony of multiple credible witnesses who can affirm the identity directly. Each of those methods can have limitations or may not be as reliable according to notarial laws.