Which statement best describes Maryland standards for verifying a signer’s identity?

• A. Accept ID at random without verification.
• B. Verify identity by memory alone.
• C. Accept any document as ID.
• D. Use established acceptable forms of ID and reasonable verification practices.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that Maryland notaries must establish a signer’s identity using recognized, reliable identification and reasonable verification steps. This means the signer should present an acceptable government-issued form of ID, typically with a photo, description, and signature, and the notary should verify that the ID is valid, current, and belongs to the signer. The notary may also rely on personal knowledge or other acceptable verification practices to be reasonably sure of who is signing before administering an oath, taking an acknowledgment, or witnessing a signature. This approach is designed to prevent fraud and ensure the signer is who they claim to be, rather than guessing or relying on a memory or any document that might be unreliable. Accepting ID at random, relying on memory alone, or accepting any document as ID do not provide the same level of reliability or protection, so they do not meet Maryland’s standard.