4.1 Satisfactory Evidence of Identity
Key Takeaways
A.R.S. § 41-255 permits personal knowledge, listed unexpired credentials, or a credible witness oath/affirmation as identity evidence
An unexpired U.S. passport, state-issued driver license/nonoperating ID, or U.S. Armed Forces ID is expressly listed
Another unexpired U.S., state, or tribal government ID qualifies if it contains a signature OR a photograph plus physical description and satisfies the notary
State/federal inmate IDs require the inmate be in custody; a county sheriff ID requires county custody; real-estate acts have additional foreign-document options
The notary may request more information or credentials when needed to be satisfied, and must refuse if identity remains uncertain
Why Identity Verification Is the Heart of Your Job
A notary must identify the person making a statement or signature. Current A.R.S. § 41-255 gives several ways to do that. It does not impose one universal checklist of photo, signature, serial number, and physical description on every credential. The Secretary of State has not published topic percentages for this exam, so study the actual statutory categories rather than a claimed 20% weight.
The Three Statutory Methods
Arizona recognizes exactly three ways to establish a signer's identity. There is no fourth option — you cannot rely on a feeling, a verbal introduction, or a Social Security card.
| Method | What It Means | How the Signer Is Proven |
|---|---|---|
| Personal knowledge | You have known the individual long enough to be assured of their identity | Your own direct knowledge |
| Satisfactory evidence (ID document) | The signer presents one qualifying government-issued ID | The document itself |
| Credible witness | A third person who knows the signer vouches under oath | Covered in detail in Section 3.2 |
Personal Knowledge
Personal knowledge means a relationship of sufficient duration that you are genuinely assured of the person's identity — a long-time coworker, a relative, a neighbor of many years. It is not "we met last week" or "they look familiar." Because a personal-knowledge claim can be challenged later in court, most notaries default to checking an ID even for people they know.
Satisfactory Evidence Under § 41-255(B)
The statute lists distinct credential categories. Each listed credential must satisfy its own requirements; do not import the conditions for “other government ID” into U.S. passports, state driver licenses, armed-forces IDs, or qualifying inmate IDs.
| Credential category | Current statutory rule |
|---|---|
| U.S. passport or state-issued driver license/nonoperating ID | Unexpired |
| U.S. Armed Forces ID | Unexpired card from a branch of the armed forces |
| Other U.S., state, or tribal government ID | Unexpired, satisfactory to the notary, and contains the holder’s signature OR a photograph and physical description |
| State DOC or federal BOP inmate ID | Inmate in state or federal custody |
| County sheriff inmate ID | Inmate in county sheriff custody |
| Credible witness | Witness appears before the notary, gives verification on oath or affirmation, and is personally known or satisfactorily identified |
For a real-estate conveyance or financing, § 41-255(C) adds certain unexpired foreign passports with supporting U.S. status documentation and certain DHS-accepted IDs with required supporting documents. Section 41-255(D) permits the notary to ask for more information or credentials when needed to assure identity. A library card, credit card, or Social Security card does not become a listed credential by adding it to another card.
Examining the Credential
Check the credential's expiration when the category requires it, the issuing authority, visible signs of alteration, and whether the presented person matches the available photo or other identifying information. The law permits the notary to request additional evidence when reasonable certainty is lacking. Record the type of satisfactory evidence and a description of the credential, including issuance or expiration date, under § 41-319(A); do not claim every paper-journal entry must include an ID serial number.
Worked example: A signer offers an expired U.S. passport and a current workplace badge. The expired passport does not satisfy § 41-255(B)(1)(a), and the private badge is not one of the listed government credentials. The notary may use a qualifying credible witness or genuine personal knowledge, ask for another acceptable credential, or decline if identity remains uncertain. Two inadequate cards do not become a statutory ID category when combined.
When Documentary Evidence Is Insufficient
A notary may rely on true personal knowledge under § 41-255(A) or a credible witness under § 41-255(B)(2) when a signer lacks ID. If neither path establishes identity, do not proceed. For a covered deed or power of attorney, also follow the separate § 41-254(C) journal fingerprint rule.
A signer presents an Arizona driver license that expired last month. It clearly shows his photo, signature, and physical description, and the photo matches him. What should the Arizona notary do?
Proceed, because the photo clearly matches the signer
Refuse to use this ID, because it is expired and must be current/valid
Proceed if the signer also shows a Social Security card
Proceed, because driver licenses are always acceptable
Which credential is expressly satisfactory under current A.R.S. § 41-255(B) without importing the “other government ID” feature test?
An expired U.S. passport
A private workplace badge with a photo
An unexpired U.S. Armed Forces identification card
A current library card plus Social Security card
Match each identification scenario to the correct Arizona notary outcome.
Match each item on the left with the correct item on the right
Signer is the notary's coworker of 10 years, no ID on hand
Signer presents a current Arizona driver license that matches him
Signer offers a passport that expired two weeks ago
Signer's only proof is a Social Security card
Put the steps of examining a signer's ID for satisfactory evidence in the correct order.
Arrange the items in the correct order
Compare available photo or identifying details with the signer
Check validity and expiry where required
Identify the credential category and its legal conditions
Record the evidence and credential description in the journal
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.