NH Notary NH Notary Signer Identification Requirements 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When using a credible witness to identify a signer before a NH notary, how many credible witnesses are needed if the witness is unknown to the notary?
- Two credible witnesses, both of whom personally know the signer (Correct answer)
- One credible witness is always sufficient
- Three witnesses are required
- The number of witnesses depends on the document value
Correct answer: Two credible witnesses, both of whom personally know the signer
If the credible witness is not personally known to the notary, NH law requires two credible witnesses who both personally know the signer.
Question 2: What must a credible witness swear or affirm before a NH notary?
- That they personally know the signer and that the signer is the person named in the document (Correct answer)
- Only that they have seen the signer sign their name before
- That the signer is a U.S. citizen
- That the document being notarized is legitimate
Correct answer: That they personally know the signer and that the signer is the person named in the document
A credible witness must swear or affirm that they personally know the signer and that the signer is the person described in the document.
Question 3: Which of the following is NOT a disqualifier for serving as a credible witness in NH?
- Being older than 65 years of age (Correct answer)
- Having a financial interest in the transaction
- Being a spouse of the signer
- Being named as a beneficiary in the document
Correct answer: Being older than 65 years of age
Age alone does not disqualify a credible witness; financial interest in or connection to the transaction does disqualify them.
Question 4: A NH notary is performing a remote online notarization. What is the required method for verifying signer identity?
- Identity proofing through knowledge-based authentication or credential analysis, or both (Correct answer)
- Personal knowledge only, since remote ID cannot be verified
- Any government ID emailed as a scanned copy
- A notarized affidavit from two local witnesses
Correct answer: Identity proofing through knowledge-based authentication or credential analysis, or both
Remote online notarization requires identity proofing methods such as knowledge-based authentication (KBA) and/or credential analysis of the signer's ID.
Question 5: What is 'knowledge-based authentication' (KBA) used for in NH remote online notarization?
- To verify signer identity by asking questions based on public and private data records (Correct answer)
- To verify the notary's own identity with the RON platform
- To confirm the document content is accurate
- To replace the signer's oath or affirmation
Correct answer: To verify signer identity by asking questions based on public and private data records
KBA is an identity-proofing method that presents the signer with questions derived from data records (e.g., past addresses, loan history) that only the true individual should be able to answer.
Question 6: If a NH notary cannot satisfactorily identify a signer, what is the correct course of action?
- Refuse to perform the notarial act (Correct answer)
- Proceed with the notarization and note the uncertainty in the journal
- Ask a colleague to notarize the document instead
- Accept the signer's verbal assurance of identity
Correct answer: Refuse to perform the notarial act
A notary who cannot adequately identify the signer must refuse to perform the notarial act.
NH Notary NH Notary Signer Identification Requirements 2
When using a credible witness to identify a signer before a NH notary, how many credible witnesses are needed if the witness is unknown to the notary?