If the notary public knows the affiants personally, he need not require them to show their valid identification cards. This rule is supported by the definition of ‘jurat’ under Section 6, Rule II of the 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice. A ‘jurat’ refers to an act in which an individual on a single occasion: (a) appears in person before the notary public and presents an instrument or document; (b) is personally known to the notary public or identified by the notary public through competent evidence of identity; (c) signs the instrument or document in the presence of the notary; and (d) takes an oath or affirmation before the notary public as to such instrument or document.
In this case, Heneraline Brosas is a sister of Atty. Revilla, Jr.’s wife; Herizalyn Brosas Pedrosa is his wife’s sister-in-law; and Elmer Alvarado is the live-in houseboy of the Brosas family. Atty. Revilla, Jr. knows the three affiants personally. Thus, he was justified in no longer requiring them to show valid identification cards. But Atty. Revilla, Jr. is not without fault for failing to indicate such fact in the ‘jurat’ of the complaint-affidavit. No statement was included therein that he knows the three affiants personally [Jandoquile v. Atty. Revilla, AC No. 9514, April 10, 2013].