Credible Witnesses
Credible Witness Rules
A Credible Identifying Witness must, in order to identify a signer:
Show acceptable ID to be recorded
Know the signer personally
Take an oath/affirmation that the signer holds the identity claimed
Be impartial to the transaction
Sign the journal
TWO CREDIBLE WITNESSES
Two credible witnesses must adhere to all the above criteria.
ONE CREDIBLE WITNESSES
If one credible witness is used, the witness must be personally known to the notary public, in addition to meeting the other criteria.
Oath or Affirmation of a Credible Witness
Do you, the credible witness, solemnly swear or affirm that the individual appearing before me, the California Notary Public, as the signer of this document is—indeed—the person named in this document; that you personally know the signer; that you reasonably believe that the circumstances of the signer are such that it would be very difficult or impossible for the signer to obtain another form of identification; that the signer does not possess any of the identification documents authorized by law to establish the signer’s identity; and you, the credible witness, do not have a financial interest in, nor are you named in the document signed so help you (God) ?