Free WY NOTARY Identification Requirements Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is considered satisfactory identification for a Wyoming notary to use in verifying a signer's identity?
- A valid U.S. passport. (Correct answer)
- An expired state ID that expired two years ago.
- A Social Security card.
- A current student ID from a local university.
Correct answer: A valid U.S. passport.
Wyoming law, specifically W.S. 32-1-105(a)(i), permits a notary to identify a signer through a current passport issued by the United States government. This is considered a reliable form of identification because it is government-issued, contains a photograph and signature, and is generally tamper-resistant. It provides satisfactory evidence of the signer's identity.
Question 2: A signer presents a driver’s license as identification, but it expired one month ago. What should the Wyoming notary do?
- Accept the expired driver’s license as valid identification.
- Refuse to notarize the document until the signer provides current identification. (Correct answer)
- Notarize the document and make a note about the expired ID in the journal.
- Ask the signer to provide two witnesses instead of ID.
Correct answer: Refuse to notarize the document until the signer provides current identification.
Wyoming law requires that identification presented by a signer must be current and unexpired. An expired driver's license, even if only by a month, does not meet the statutory requirement for satisfactory evidence of identity. The notary must refuse the notarization until valid, current identification is provided to ensure proper identity verification.
Question 3: A signer is personally known to the Wyoming notary and requests a notarization. What should the notary do?
- Refuse to perform the notarization unless the signer provides identification.
- Perform the notarization without asking for identification, since personal knowledge is acceptable. (Correct answer)
- Ask the signer to bring a witness to verify their identity.
- Perform the notarization only if the signer provides two forms of ID.
Correct answer: Perform the notarization without asking for identification, since personal knowledge is acceptable.
Wyoming Statute 32-1-105(a)(ii) allows a notary to verify a signer's identity based on the notary's personal knowledge of the individual. "Personal knowledge" means having an acquaintance with the individual over a period of time sufficient to ensure beyond doubt that the individual has the identity claimed. Therefore, no additional identification is required in such cases.
Question 4: Which of the following forms of identification is not acceptable for notarization in Wyoming?
- A U.S. military ID.
- A state-issued driver's license.
- A temporary paper ID without a photo. (Correct answer)
- A foreign passport with a U.S. visa.
Correct answer: A temporary paper ID without a photo.
Wyoming law generally requires identification to be government-issued, current, and contain both a photograph and a signature for reliable verification. A temporary paper ID without a photo typically lacks these crucial security features, making it insufficient for satisfactory identification. The absence of a photo makes it difficult to confirm the identity of the person presenting the document.
Question 5: If a signer does not have any valid government-issued ID, how can their identity be verified for notarization in Wyoming?
- By personal knowledge of the notary. (Correct answer)
- By presenting a birth certificate and Social Security card.
- By providing two credible witnesses who know the signer and have valid ID. (Correct answer)
- By signing an affidavit of identity in front of the notary.
Correct answer: By personal knowledge of the notary.
Wyoming law provides alternative methods for identity verification when a signer lacks government-issued identification. A notary may rely on their personal knowledge of the signer, meaning they have an established acquaintance sufficient to confirm identity. Alternatively, the signer's identity can be established through the sworn or affirmed testimony of two credible identifying witnesses who personally know the signer and can present satisfactory identification to the notary.
Free WY NOTARY Identification Requirements Questions and Answers
Which of the following is considered satisfactory identification for a Wyoming notary to use in verifying a signer's identity?