MO Notary - Missouri Notary Proper Signer Identification Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

What is the primary method of identifying a signer for a Missouri notarial act?

Accepted Answer

A current government-issued photo identification document

Answer

Verbal confirmation of name and address

Answer

A utility bill showing the signer's name

Answer

A business card with the signer's name and title

Question 2

Can a Missouri notary accept an expired driver's license as identification?

Accepted Answer

No — expired identification documents are generally not acceptable

Answer

Yes — as long as the photo is recognizable

Answer

Only if it expired within the last 30 days

Answer

Only if the signer has no other ID

Question 3

If a signer does not have a government-issued photo ID, what alternative identification method does Missouri law allow?

Accepted Answer

Personal knowledge of the signer or credible identifying witnesses

Answer

A Social Security card

Answer

A credit card with the signer's name

Answer

A signed letter from the signer's employer

Question 4

A Missouri notary uses personal knowledge to identify a signer. What should they record in their journal?

Accepted Answer

That the signer was identified based on personal knowledge, and the basis for that knowledge

Answer

Nothing special — just the standard journal entry

Answer

Only the signer's name

Answer

A photocopy of the signer's ID

Question 5

What should a Missouri notary do if the photo on a signer's ID does not clearly match the person present?

Accepted Answer

Request additional identification or decline the notarization

Answer

Proceed if the name matches

Answer

Ask the signer to explain why they look different

Answer

Accept the ID if it is not expired

Question 6

How many credible identifying witnesses does Missouri typically require when using witness identification?

Accepted Answer

One or two credible witnesses, depending on Missouri requirements

Answer

One credible witness is sufficient

Answer

At least three witnesses

Answer

Witnesses are not accepted as identification in Missouri