ME Notary - Maine Notary Proper Signer Identification Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to Maine law, which of the following is an acceptable method for a Notary Public to verify a signer's identity?
- Viewing a valid, government-issued photo ID. (Correct answer)
- Accepting a notarized statement of identity from the signer's spouse.
- Receiving a verbal assurance from the signer's attorney over the phone.
- Comparing the signature on the document to a signature on a credit card.
Correct answer: Viewing a valid, government-issued photo ID.
Maine law allows a Notary Public to identify a signer by viewing a current, government-issued identification credential with a photograph, such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID. The other methods are not legally sufficient for proper identification.
Question 2: A signer appears before a Maine Notary Public but does not have an acceptable form of identification. The signer's close friend, whom the Notary personally knows and trusts, is present. What is the correct procedure for the Notary to identify the signer?
- The friend cannot act as a witness because they are not a family member.
- The Notary may proceed if the signer promises to bring their ID the next day.
- The Notary may use the friend as a 'credible witness' who must swear or affirm to the signer's identity. (Correct answer)
- The Notary should refuse the notarization because only government-issued ID is ever permitted.
Correct answer: The Notary may use the friend as a 'credible witness' who must swear or affirm to the signer's identity.
Maine law provides for the use of a credible witness to identify a signer who lacks proper ID. A credible witness is an honest, reliable, and impartial person who personally knows the signer. The witness must take an oath or affirmation before the notarial officer to vouch for the signer's identity. The notary must either personally know the credible witness or identify them with proper ID.
Question 3: Which of the following would be considered an UNACCEPTABLE form of identification for a notarization in Maine?
- A valid U.S. Passport.
- A current State of Maine driver's license.
- A Social Security card. (Correct answer)
- A current U.S. military identification card.
Correct answer: A Social Security card.
The Maine Notary Public Handbook specifies that items like Social Security cards and credit cards are not good forms of identification because they do not contain a physical description or photograph of the holder. Acceptable IDs must be government-issued and contain a photo.
Question 4: A Notary Public has been the next-door neighbor of an individual for over 15 years and they interact frequently. The individual needs a document notarized but has misplaced their wallet. How may the Notary properly identify this individual?
- The Notary must refuse the service until the ID is found.
- Through 'personal knowledge' of the individual's identity. (Correct answer)
- By having the individual sign an affidavit of identity.
- By calling another neighbor to verbally confirm the individual's identity.
Correct answer: Through 'personal knowledge' of the individual's identity.
Maine's Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) states a notarial officer has personal knowledge of an individual's identity if they are known to the officer through dealings sufficient to provide reasonable certainty of their identity. A long-term neighbor relationship would typically meet this standard.
Question 5: When a Maine Notary identifies a signer using a government-issued ID, what is a critical feature the Notary must check on the credential?
- The signer's address must match the address on the document.
- The ID must have been issued within the last five years.
- The ID must be current and not expired. (Correct answer)
- The ID must have been issued by the State of Maine.
Correct answer: The ID must be current and not expired.
The Maine Notary Public Handbook and Resource Guide states that all credentials accepted by Notaries Public for identification purposes should still be valid. An expired ID is not an acceptable form of identification. While out-of-state IDs are acceptable, they must be current.
Question 6: A credible witness is used to identify a signer. According to Maine statutes, the Notary Public must identify the credible witness through which method?
- Accepting the witness's sworn statement without further verification.
- Personal knowledge or by satisfactory evidence, such as a driver's license or passport. (Correct answer)
- The witness must be a licensed attorney in the State of Maine.
- The witness must present their birth certificate and a major credit card.
Correct answer: Personal knowledge or by satisfactory evidence, such as a driver's license or passport.
Maine law (Title 4, §1907) requires that a credible witness either be personally known to the notarial officer or be identified by the officer on the basis of a passport, driver's license, or other government-issued nondriver identification card. The notary must be certain of the witness's identity before accepting their oath regarding the signer's identity.
ME Notary - Maine Notary Proper Signer Identification Questions and Answers
According to Maine law, which of the following is an acceptable method for a Notary Public to verify a signer's identity?