Satisfactory Evidence Overview

Under North Carolina law, notaries must verify the identity of every principal before performing a notarial act. This is one of the notary's most important duties.

Two Methods of Identity Verification

Definition: Personal Knowledge

Under G.S. 10B-3, "personal knowledge" or "personally know" means:

• Familiarity with an individual
• Resulting from interactions over a period of time
• Sufficient to eliminate every reasonable doubt
• That the individual has the identity claimed

Key Point: Meeting someone once is NOT personal knowledge. The notary must have ongoing familiarity with the person.

Definition: Satisfactory Evidence

Under G.S. 10B-3, "satisfactory evidence" means identification based on either:

1. At least one current document issued by a federal, state, or federally/state-recognized tribal government agency that bears:

   • The photographic image of the individual's face, AND
   • Either the individual's signature OR a physical description

2. The oath or affirmation of one credible witness who personally knows the individual

The Identity Verification Decision

           Does the notary personally know the principal?
                           |
              -------------------------
              |                       |
             YES                      NO
              |                       |
       Proceed with              Principal must provide
       notarization              satisfactory evidence
                                      |
                          --------------------------
                          |                        |
                    Acceptable ID              Credible Witness
                    Document                   Verification

Consequences of Failure to Verify Identity

Key Points for the Exam

• Two methods: Personal knowledge OR satisfactory evidence
• Personal knowledge: More than just meeting someone once
• Satisfactory evidence: ID document OR credible witness
• Never notarize: If you cannot verify identity
• Criminal penalty: Failure to verify is a Class 1 misdemeanor