…it’s why Shania Twain would still need ID in my office!
People sometimes walk into my office and say things like, “Can you just stamp this?” or “It’s just a signature.”
After more than thirteen years as a notary serving clients throughout Greater Victoria, I’ve learned that it’s almost never just a signature.
One of the very first things I do when someone sits down at my desk is confirm their identity and verify their name. It sounds simple enough, but names are rarely as straightforward as we think. Most people assume they have one name, when in reality many of us carry several throughout our lives.
There’s the name on your birth certificate and the name your parents called you growing up. There may be a married name, a former married name, or a hyphenated surname. Some people use a professional name in their careers, while others have a nickname that has followed them for decades. Then there are the names that appear on government-issued identification, such as a driver’s licence or passport. Sometimes those documents don’t match exactly, and when legal documents are involved, those differences can matter.
Over the years, one of the things I’ve enjoyed most about practicing in Greater Victoria is meeting people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Every day, I encounter names that reflect traditions from all over the world. In some cultures, a person carries two family names. In others, the family name comes before the given name. Many naming conventions tell a story about family, heritage, and identity.
From a human perspective, all of those names may belong to the same individual. From a legal perspective, however, precision matters. When someone is signing an important document, I need to ensure that the name on the page accurately corresponds to the person sitting in front of me. That responsibility is one of the most important parts of my role as a notary.
Many people find it surprising that even famous individuals demonstrate the importance of this process. The acting legend the world knows as Michael J. Fox was born Michael Andrew Fox. Country music superstar Shania Twain was born Eilleen Regina Edwards. Toronto musician Drake was born Aubrey Drake Graham.
Different names. Same people.
Yet if any of them were to sit across from me to sign an important legal document, they would still need to provide proper identification. Fame doesn’t replace the need to verify identity, and a professional or stage name doesn’t automatically satisfy legal requirements. The same standards apply to everyone.
That’s because confirming identity is never just a formality. It’s one of the safeguards that helps protect individuals, documents, and transactions from errors, misunderstandings, and fraud. A signature carries legal weight. It represents intent, agreement, and accountability. My job is to ensure that the person signing is exactly who they claim to be.
Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate that names often tell the story of a person’s life. They reflect marriages, careers, family histories, cultural traditions, and personal journeys. People may carry many names throughout their lives, and each one may have meaning and significance.
When it’s time to sign something important, though, the right name matters. Taking the time to verify that identity is part of the professional responsibility I owe every client who walks through my door. It’s a small step that helps ensure important documents are completed properly and with confidence.
So the next time someone says, “It’s just a signature,” I’ll smile and explain what I’ve learned after more than a decade in this profession: a signature is never just a signature, and a name is never just a name.
When it comes to important legal documents, accuracy matters. If you have an important document that needs to be notarized, witnessed, or certified, I’m here to help. Whether you’re dealing with wills and estates, real estate documents, powers of attorney, affidavits, or statutory declarations, you can feel confident that every detail will be handled with care and professionalism. Contact my office today to schedule an appointment and ensure your documents are completed correctly the first time.