Celebrity Clients

The notary needs to check the government photo id of all celebrity clients even if the notary thinks they are public officials like Mr. and Mrs. Obama. A very famous soap star moved from Florida to Virginia and left her government photo id in Florida. She had plenty of newspapers articles with her picture and she was clearly known to millions over the years. The presiding notary declined to notarize her signature until the photo id arrived from Florida. While the presiding notary was perfectly correct in declining to notarize, other options might have used. Two people with photo gov id who know the person and have no interest in the document could have been used. Alternatively, one person with id who is known to the notary and who knows the individual and has no interest in the document could have been used. However, both options should be used infrequently. If President Obama and Michele Obama need notarization in VA, I will definitely check their government photo id. The presiding notary has the absolute right to say no and there is no appeal from the presiding notary.