What is a requirement of the credible witness method?

• A. The witness must be believable.
• B. The witness must be personally known to the signer.
• C. The notary must personally know the witness or two witnesses must present ID to the notary if the witnesses are not known.
• D. All of the above.

Answer: (D)

Credible witness method relies on two witnesses who are credible and can lawfully attest to the signer's identity when the signer cannot be identified by standard ID. The witnesses must be believable because their statements about who the signer is are what the notary relies on. They also must personally know the signer, establishing a direct link to the signer’s identity. If the notary does not know the witnesses, those witnesses must present valid identification to verify who they are. The notary then administers oaths to the witnesses and records the proceedings. Because this method hinges on believability, the witnesses’ personal knowledge of the signer, and the notary’s ability to verify the witnesses’ identities, all of these elements come together to define the credible witness process.