What should a notary confirm prior to performing any notarial act?

Prior to performing any notarial act, it is essential for a notary to confirm the identity of the document signer. This confirmation is crucial because it ensures that the notary is witnessing the signature of the individual who is actually signing the document, thereby preventing fraud and ensuring that the signatory has the authority to enter into the agreement or acknowledgment being notarized.

The identity of the signer can be established through valid identification, which typically includes government-issued IDs that have a photograph, signature, and other identifying information. This step is a fundamental requirement in notarial practice, as it supports the integrity of the notarial process and ensures compliance with legal standards.

In contrast, while the legality of the document and the location of the notarial act may be considerations in specific contexts, they do not take precedence over the necessity of verifying the signer's identity. Assessing the signer’s emotional state is not a requirement within notary practice; instead, the focus should be on ensuring that the individual understands the document and is signing willingly, which follows after confirming their identity.