Why verification is legally required, which IDs are accepted, how the process differs for mobile vs. RON sessions, and what happens if there is a mismatch.
A notarial act is a legally significant event. When a notary applies their seal to a document, they are certifying that the signer appeared before them, that the signer's identity was positively established, and that the signer acknowledged executing the document willingly.
Under Florida Statute Chapter 117, a notary public is required to identify each signer before notarizing any document. Failure to verify identity — or accepting an expired, altered, or fraudulent ID — exposes the notary and the parties to the transaction to legal liability and potential invalidation of the notarized document.
This is not a formality. Identity verification is the legal foundation of the notarial act. It protects you, protects the transaction, and ensures the document holds up in court, in a title search, or in any legal proceeding where it is presented.
For title companies and attorneys: TrustPoint follows NNA best-practice standards for identity verification on every signing. Signer ID information is documented in the notary journal as required by Florida law. Copies of the journal are available upon request for loan file compliance.
The following forms of identification are accepted for in-person (mobile) notarization in Florida:
All IDs must be current and unexpired. The name on the ID must match the name on the document being notarized. If your legal name has changed and your ID has not been updated, bring supporting documentation such as a marriage certificate or court order.
For mobile notarizations, identity verification is straightforward. When Lisa arrives, she will:
This typically takes less than two minutes per signer. It is a standard, unremarkable part of every signing — experienced clients have their ID ready and on the table when the notary arrives.
RON identity verification is more structured than in-person verification, as required by Florida's RON statutes and the platform's technology standards. The process has two layers:
Layer 1: Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA). Before the video session begins, you will complete a short quiz through the RON platform. The questions are dynamically generated from your public records (credit header data, property records, etc.) and are designed to be answerable only by you. Typical questions involve former addresses, vehicle registrations, or past lenders. There is a time limit per question. Most clients complete this in under three minutes.
Layer 2: Credential Analysis. You will be prompted to photograph your government-issued ID using your device's camera. The platform uses automated credential analysis to verify that the ID is genuine, not altered, and matches the identity established in the KBA step. Lisa also reviews the ID visually on-screen during the live video session.
Both layers must be completed successfully before the notarization proceeds. The platform generates a tamper-evident audit trail that is stored with the notarized document.
Note for RON clients: KBA questions are drawn from your public record. If you have a thin credit file, have recently moved, or have placed a credit freeze, the KBA step may require additional time or may need to be completed via an alternative credential pathway. Contact TrustPoint in advance if you anticipate this situation.
TrustPoint handles signer information with the same care as any licensed professional operating under Florida law:
If the signer's ID cannot be positively verified — whether because the ID is expired, the name does not match the document, the photo is inconsistent, or the RON KBA fails — the notarization cannot proceed.
This is not a judgment about the signer. It is a legal requirement. Proceeding without verified identity would expose the notary to disciplinary action and invalidate the notarial act.
If you encounter a mismatch, the steps are:
Call before booking if you have any concerns. Thirty seconds on the phone now prevents a wasted trip.
Call (407) 784-3835