Key Takeaways
- Personal knowledge means the notary has first-hand knowledge of the signer's identity
- The notary must have interacted with the signer over time to establish familiarity
- Casual acquaintance or one-time meeting is generally insufficient
- If using personal knowledge, no ID document is required
- The notary must note "personally known to me" in the certificate and journal
Identification by Personal Knowledge
Personal knowledge is one of the acceptable methods for a notary to establish the identity of a signer. When a notary personally knows the signer, no identification documents are required.
What Constitutes Personal Knowledge
Personal knowledge means the notary has first-hand knowledge of the individual's identity through personal interaction over time.
| Qualifies as Personal Knowledge | Does NOT Qualify |
|---|---|
| Family member you have known for years | Someone you just met today |
| Long-time friend or neighbor | Casual acquaintance |
| Coworker you interact with regularly | Person introduced by someone else |
| Person you have ongoing relationship with | One-time business transaction |
Standards for Personal Knowledge
To claim personal knowledge, the notary should:
- Know the person's identity through direct, ongoing interaction
- Recognize the person by appearance
- Have no doubt about the person's identity
- Not rely on what others have told you about the person
When Personal Knowledge is Appropriate
| Scenario | Use Personal Knowledge? |
|---|---|
| Notarizing for a family member (if permitted) | Yes, if you know them |
| Close friend needs notarization | Yes |
| Coworker you see daily | Yes, if you know their identity |
| New client you just met | No - require ID |
| Friend of a friend introduced to you | No - require ID or credible witness |
Documentation When Using Personal Knowledge
When identifying a signer by personal knowledge, you must:
In the Certificate
Include language such as:
- "Personally known to me"
- "Known to me to be the person described"
In the Journal
Record that identification was by personal knowledge, not by ID document.
Risks of Claiming Personal Knowledge
Be cautious about claiming personal knowledge:
| Risk | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Misidentification | Liability for damages from fraud |
| False claim | Potential commission revocation |
| Negligence | Civil and criminal liability |
Best Practice: If you have any doubt about your personal knowledge of someone's identity, request identification documents instead.
Personal Knowledge vs. Credible Witness
| Personal Knowledge | Credible Witness |
|---|---|
| Notary personally knows signer | Third party knows signer |
| No ID required from signer | Witness must be identified |
| Notary takes full responsibility | Witness vouches for signer |
On the Exam
Remember:
- Personal knowledge means YOU know the signer personally
- Must be based on ongoing relationship, not single meeting
- Must note "personally known to me" in certificate
- When in doubt, request ID instead
What is required for a notary to identify a signer by "personal knowledge"?
A person you have never met before asks you to notarize a document and claims you should use "personal knowledge" because a mutual friend told you their name. Can you proceed?