Thawte Certification
As a Thawte (pronounced "thought") Notary, I often am asked what is required to get me to notarize someone's Thawte Freemail certificate, so I've decided to lay out the requirements on this page so that I don't have to write the same thing over and over in an email to each individual who inquires. If you don't even know what a Thawte certificate is, click here for an explanation.
The process is simple. Here are the requirements.
We must meet face-to-face. I prefer that this be at some neutral site close to me and at a time that is mutually convenient. You can email me and I'll give you my telephone number so that we can discuss a mutually agreeable time and location. When you do write, please sign your email with your Thawte Freemail certificate so that I'll have the information I need to look up your identity at the Thawte site.
You must present me with two proofs of your identity, at least one of which must be a photo ID. Your driver's license will suffice in most cases for the photo ID.
You must provide me copies of your proofs of identity that I can keep. I am responsible to Thawte for maintaining those documents for a period of five years in order to prove you are who you present yourself to be. And I am obligated to keep those documents private from all except Thawte.
When we meet for our face to face get-together, you'll be expected to sign a document attesting to the fact that the information you have presented me as proof of your identity is accurate.
At the moment I provide these services free of charge, so I take the liberty of making arrangements to meet you at my convenience, and I expect you to take responsibility for pursuing scheduling our get-together.
I am permitted to grant a maximum of 35 points when I notarize your certificate. In order to get a certificate that has your name on it (and is not just a Freemail certificate), you'll need to accumulate a total of 50 points. What this means in practical terms is that you'll have to find a second Notary who also will attest to your identity before you can get the certificate with your name on it. This requirement is intentional. It protects Thawte and it protects those who rely on the process by which someone becomes certified.
If your questions aren't answered by this page, please write me with your specific question and I'll try to clarify what I didn't make clear here.
William Perry Nelson
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