DE Notary Signer Identification and Verification 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which form of ID is generally acceptable for signer identification in Delaware?
- A current government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license (Correct answer)
- A utility bill with the signer's name
- A business card
- A personal check
Correct answer: A current government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license
Government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license or passport is the standard acceptable form of identification for notarization.
Question 2: What must a Delaware notary do if a signer's identification appears altered or suspicious?
- Refuse to perform the notarization (Correct answer)
- Accept it if the signer claims it is valid
- Call the issuing agency for confirmation
- Proceed and note the suspicion in their journal
Correct answer: Refuse to perform the notarization
If identification appears altered or fraudulent, the notary must refuse to perform the notarization to avoid facilitating fraud.
Question 3: In Delaware, how recently must a government-issued ID have been issued to be considered current for notarial purposes?
- It must not be expired at the time of the notarial act (Correct answer)
- It must have been issued within the past 6 months
- It must have been issued within the past year
- It must be less than 2 years old
Correct answer: It must not be expired at the time of the notarial act
The ID must simply be unexpired at the time of the notarial act; Delaware does not impose a maximum age beyond the ID's expiration date.
Question 4: Can a Delaware notary use personal knowledge of the signer as a means of identification?
- Yes, if the notary personally knows the signer (Correct answer)
- No, personal knowledge is never acceptable
- Yes, but only if the notary files a report with the state
- No, two witnesses are always required instead
Correct answer: Yes, if the notary personally knows the signer
Delaware allows personal knowledge of the signer as a valid means of identification when the notary can reliably confirm the signer's identity.
Question 5: What should a Delaware notary do if a signer presents an expired passport as identification?
- Request a different, valid form of identification (Correct answer)
- Accept it because passports are government-issued
- Accept it if the signer also provides a utility bill
- Proceed and note the expiration in the journal
Correct answer: Request a different, valid form of identification
An expired passport does not satisfy the identification requirement; the notary must request a current, unexpired form of identification.
Question 6: Which of the following is NOT an acceptable substitute for government-issued photo ID in Delaware?
- A social media profile showing the signer's photo (Correct answer)
- A U.S. passport
- A state-issued driver's license
- A U.S. military ID card
Correct answer: A social media profile showing the signer's photo
Social media profiles are not acceptable identification; only government-issued, unexpired photo IDs satisfy Delaware's identification requirements.
DE Notary Signer Identification and Verification 1
Which form of ID is generally acceptable for signer identification in Delaware?