Jack needed a document notarized, but he didn't have a driver's license or any other type of identification. So when Jack went to the local notary, his friend George went with him.

The Pennsylvania Notary Public Law states that a credible witness is someone who testifies under oath or affirmation to the identity of your customer. If your customer is not personally known to you and cannot provide you with an acceptable identification, then you may rely on the testimony of a third person known as a credible witness.

But here is the catch - you, the notary, must personally know the credible witness, who in turn, must personally know your customer.

Jack was fortunate. The notary and George knew each other from attending the same church and belonging to the local Rotary Club. The notary administered an oath or affirmation to George who swore to Jack's identity and the notarization was successfully completed.

The notary did not record George's oath in his register and did not charge him a fee. However, the notary did note George's name and address in the Remarks section of his register with Jack's transaction.

If the notary had not personally known George and could not properly identify Jack, he would have had to refuse the notarization.