PA Notary Identifying Signers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary and most common method for a Pennsylvania notary to obtain satisfactory evidence of a signer's identity?
- Personal knowledge of the signer
- A sworn statement from the signer
- Verification of a government-issued identification credential (Correct answer)
- Identification by one credible witness
Correct answer: Verification of a government-issued identification credential
Under the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA), while personal knowledge and credible witnesses are permitted, the most standard, objective, and commonly used method is verification of a current, government-issued identification credential containing a photograph and signature.
Question 2: When can a Pennsylvania notary use 'personal knowledge' to identify a signer?
- If the notary has met the signer once before at a social event.
- If the notary has a sufficient acquaintance with the individual to be certain of their identity. (Correct answer)
- If a trusted colleague introduces the signer to the notary.
- If the signer is a well-known public figure.
Correct answer: If the notary has a sufficient acquaintance with the individual to be certain of their identity.
Personal knowledge is defined as having an acquaintance, derived from association with the individual over time, which establishes the individual's identity with at least a reasonable certainty. A single meeting or brief interaction is insufficient.
Question 3: A signer appears before you without an acceptable ID. Which of the following is a valid option for the notary to proceed with the notarization?
- Accept two credit cards with the signer's name.
- Have the signer sign an affidavit of identity they drafted themselves.
- Use a credible witness who can swear to the signer's identity. (Correct answer)
- Refuse the notarization as there are no other options.
Correct answer: Use a credible witness who can swear to the signer's identity.
If a signer lacks an acceptable ID, Pennsylvania law allows for the use of a credible witness. The witness must personally know the signer and either be personally known to the notary or present their own valid government-issued ID to the notary.
Question 4: Which of the following is an acceptable form of identification for a notarial act in Pennsylvania?
- A university student ID card with a photo.
- A valid, unexpired passport issued by a foreign government. (Correct answer)
- A U.S. birth certificate.
- A credit card with a photograph.
Correct answer: A valid, unexpired passport issued by a foreign government.
Acceptable ID must be current (not expired), issued by a federal or state government agency, and contain the individual's photograph and signature. A foreign passport meets these criteria. Student IDs and credit cards are not government-issued, and a birth certificate lacks a photograph.
Question 5: What are the requirements for a person to serve as a credible witness in Pennsylvania?
- The witness must be a family member of the signer.
- The witness must be a resident of the same county as the notary.
- The witness must personally know the signer and be identified by the notary. (Correct answer)
- The witness must sign the document that is being notarized.
Correct answer: The witness must personally know the signer and be identified by the notary.
A credible witness must personally know the signer. The notary, in turn, must identify the credible witness through either personal knowledge or a valid government-issued ID presented by the witness.
Question 6: A notary is asked to notarize a document for an individual whose driver's license expired two months ago. The notary should:
- Proceed, but make a note in the journal that the ID was expired.
- Refuse the notarization until the signer provides a current, valid ID. (Correct answer)
- Proceed if the photo on the ID still clearly resembles the signer.
- Ask for a second, non-expired item like a utility bill to supplement the ID.
Correct answer: Refuse the notarization until the signer provides a current, valid ID.
Pennsylvania law requires that an identification credential must be 'current,' meaning it cannot be expired. An expired ID is not acceptable for identifying a signer, and the notary must refuse the notarization on that basis.
Question 7: If a notary uses a credible witness to identify a signer, what information about the witness must be recorded in the notary journal?
- The witness's name, address, and signature. (Correct answer)
- The witness's phone number and relationship to the signer.
- The witness's date of birth and employer.
- A photocopy of the witness's identification.
Correct answer: The witness's name, address, and signature.
The journal entry must create a complete record. This includes the credible witness's name and address, their signature, and a brief description of how the notary identified the witness (e.g., 'personal knowledge' or 'PA Driver's License').
PA Notary Identifying Signers 1
What is the primary and most common method for a Pennsylvania notary to obtain satisfactory evidence of a signer's identity?