RI Notary Signer Identity Verification 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Rhode Island's notary law (RULONA-based), an ID presented as satisfactory evidence of identity may be expired for no more than how long?
- Three years (Correct answer)
- One year
- Six months
- It must be unexpired
Correct answer: Three years
Rhode Island's RULONA-based law accepts a passport, driver's license, or government-issued nondriver ID that is current or expired not more than three years before the notarization.
Question 2: A signer with no acceptable ID brings a longtime neighbor whom the notary does not know. How can the notary properly verify the signer's identity?
- The neighbor must present acceptable ID and swear an oath or affirmation vouching for the signer (Correct answer)
- The neighbor may simply state the signer's name verbally
- The notary must refuse because credible witnesses are not allowed in Rhode Island
- The neighbor must sign the document as a co-signer
Correct answer: The neighbor must present acceptable ID and swear an oath or affirmation vouching for the signer
A credible witness unknown to the notary must present satisfactory identification and verify the signer's identity under oath or affirmation.
Question 3: Which of the following is generally NOT acceptable as satisfactory evidence of identity for a Rhode Island notarization?
- A Social Security card (Correct answer)
- An unexpired U.S. passport
- A current out-of-state driver's license
- A government-issued nondriver identification card
Correct answer: A Social Security card
A Social Security card lacks a photograph and physical description, so it does not qualify as identification for notarial purposes.
Question 4: A Rhode Island notary is asked to notarize for a person the notary has known personally for many years. What may the notary rely on?
- Personal knowledge of the individual's identity (Correct answer)
- Personal knowledge only if a witness also confirms it
- Nothing; a photo ID is always mandatory
- The signer's business card
Correct answer: Personal knowledge of the individual's identity
Personal knowledge of the individual is a recognized form of satisfactory evidence of identity under Rhode Island law.
Question 5: If a Rhode Island notary is not fully satisfied that the credentials presented are valid, the notary may do what?
- Require additional information or additional identification credentials (Correct answer)
- Notarize anyway but note doubts in the certificate
- Accept the document if the signer seems honest
- Ask the document recipient to verify identity later
Correct answer: Require additional information or additional identification credentials
RULONA expressly permits the notary to require additional information or credentials to assure the identity of the individual.
Question 6: A signer presents a photocopy of her driver's license because the original is at home. The Rhode Island notary should:
- Decline until an original, valid credential or another lawful method of identification is provided (Correct answer)
- Accept the photocopy if it is clear and legible
- Accept it if a family member confirms her identity informally
- Notarize and attach the photocopy to the document
Correct answer: Decline until an original, valid credential or another lawful method of identification is provided
Identification must be based on an original credential, personal knowledge, or a sworn credible witness, not a photocopy.
Question 7: Why does identity verification occur at the time of the notarization rather than at any earlier point?
- The notary must be satisfied the person appearing at that moment is the person named in the document (Correct answer)
- Earlier verification would make the fee higher
- State law requires IDs to be photographed during the ceremony
- The signer's identity may legally change day to day
Correct answer: The notary must be satisfied the person appearing at that moment is the person named in the document
The notarial act certifies that the individual who personally appeared was identified at the time of the act, so verification must happen then.
RI Notary Signer Identity Verification 2
Under Rhode Island's notary law (RULONA-based), an ID presented as satisfactory evidence of identity may be expired for no more than how long?