How Identity Verification Works in the Notary Process – Richmond, VA Notary Guide

At CloudSign

Notary, we understand how important identity verification is to the notary process. Whether you’re getting a document notarized in person or online, confirming your identity is the first and most essential step. As a trusted notary public serving Richmond, VA and surrounding areas, we ensure every signing meets Virginia’s legal standards for identity verification and fraud prevention.

For in-person notarizations, you'll need to present a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. Your name on the ID must match the name on the document being notarized. The ID must be current or issued within the past five years, in accordance with Virginia notary law. There are additional options available for specific situations when an ID is expired or when the individual does not have a valid unexpired form of identification.

For Remote Online Notarization (RON), identity verification is a bit more high-tech—but just as secure. We use Virginia-approved identity proofing platforms that include two key steps:

1. Credential Analysis – The system checks your government-issued ID for authenticity.

2. Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) – You’ll answer five security questions based on your personal credit history or public records. You must answer at least four correctly within two minutes.

   
   

At CloudSign Notary, we walk you through each step, whether you're notarizing a power of attorney, affidavit, child consent form, or real estate document. Identity verification protects you, the notary, and the integrity of the document.

If you're looking for a Richmond notary near you who offers both mobile notary services and secure online notarization, we’re here to help. Book your appointment today and let us make the process fast, easy, and legally compliant from ID verification to final signature.