When a notary does not know a person who signs a deed, the law allows several ways to establish that person’s identity. One is through witnesses. Article 72 of the Notarial Law of the State of Tabasco allows identity to be established “por la declaración de dos testigos a quienes conozca el Notario” (by the statement of two witnesses whom the notary knows).
The Notarial Law of the Federal District also allowed identity to be shown by two adult witnesses identified by the notary. It made the witnesses responsible for confirming the identity and capacity of the people who signed.