What mistake occurs if a notary fails to verify signer's IDs?

The selection of not recognizing expired IDs as the correct answer highlights a critical aspect of a notary's responsibilities. When a notary fails to verify a signer's identification, specifically by not recognizing whether an ID is expired, it can lead to significant complications. An expired ID does not provide valid proof of the individual's identity as required during the notarization process. This oversight can imply that the notary has not carried out due diligence, which is essential for ensuring that the signer has the legal authority and present capacity to sign the document.

By neglecting to assess the validity of an ID, especially its expiration status, the notary risks notarizing a document where the signer's identity is questionable. This can undermine the integrity of the notarized document and potentially create legal challenges or disputes regarding its validity in the future. Thus, recognizing expired IDs is a fundamental duty of a notary that maintains the credibility and legality of the notarization process.