Q		What forms of identification can I request?
Q		What other forms of identifications can I use?
Q		May I require the fingerprints of a person for whom I notarize?

Q What forms of identification can I request?
A If the signer is not personally known by the notary public or identified by a credible witness, the best form of identification is one issued by a state or federal government agency that includes a physical description, photograph, and signature. The card should typically detail eye and hair color, height, weight, and date of birth.

Q What other forms of identifications can I use?
A The notary may use either a credible witness or personal knowledge to identify a signer.

Credible Witness If you don’t know the signer personally, you may take the oath of a ‘credible witness’ that is personally known to you, and there is a form to attach to the document for this purpose. You must actually place the credible witness under oath; simply asking them to identify the signer is not sufficient. If this form of identity is used, document that on the notarial certificate and in your record book. Have the credible witness sign an entry in your record book for that transaction, detailing the oath of credible witness, and of course have the signer of the document being executed sign in the next entry for that notarial act. Be certain to attach the credible witness affidavit securely to the document being notarized to prove your method of identification of the signer. Personal Knowledge Personal knowledge is always the best form of identification, but must only be used if the notary knows the signer personally. The notary may not take the word of a friend, family member, or co-worker as to the identity of a signer unless that person stands as a credible witness and swears an oath regarding the identity of the signer. Do NOT mark a certificate ‘personally known’ unless the notary knows with a strong certainty that the signer is actually who he or she says he is. You must have actual knowledge of a signer in order to claim ‘personally known’ as a method of identification.

Q May I require the fingerprints of a person for whom I notarize?
A No. Texas law DOES NOT require notaries to take fingerprints from persons whose signatures they notarize. Even the person's signature in the notary journal is no longer required. Many notary journals or records books allow space for a thumbprint or signer’s signature, but this feature is optional. You should not refuse to provide notarial services based solely on the person's refusal to provide a fingerprint in your record book.